The new version of the Law "On Social Services" will come into force on December 25 of the current year, as reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
The new version of the Law "On Social Services" will come into force on December 25 of the current year, as reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
The Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Law of the Republic of Belarus 'On Social Services'" was adopted by the House of Representatives on May 17, approved by the Council of the Republic on May 31, officially published on June 24, and will come into force 6 months after its official publication – on December 25.
The new version of the law provides for the expansion of social service forms, simplification of the state social procurement (SSP) procedure, and the introduction of quality standards for social services.
Thus, a new form of social service has been regulated in Belarus – a substitute family. This innovation will allow for the organisation of social services for the elderly within the framework of their cohabitation with those who are ready to take care of representatives of the older generation. Services will be provided to an incapacitated person by a non-relative family or an individual – they will live together and manage a common household. At the same time, the relationship between the caregiver and the incapacitated elderly person or disabled person will not involve property issues. The innovation is based on Russian experience. Regulations for substitute families are already being developed.
Since 2014, state social procurement (SSP) has been implemented in Belarus – an innovative form of interaction between local authorities and representatives of the non-governmental sector. It allows for the attraction of additional material and human resources into the social service system and the formation of a market for social services. The new law improves the SSP mechanism. This will allow for the expansion of the range of participants in the social services market and the coverage of citizens in need with social services. The procedure for conducting tenders is changing, and the duration of contract execution is regulated.
As explained by the ministry, now, if the tender proposal of a sole participant meets the competition requirements, local executive and administrative bodies will be able to conclude a contract with them for the provision of state social services. The contract will be concluded for a period of up to 5 years within the timeframe of the state program under which the state social order is financed. This will establish more stable relations between the customer and the provider of the state social order.
The new version of the law clarifies the definitions of certain types of social services provided by state social service institutions. For instance, socio-medical services are excluded because medical and social assistance falls under the legal regulation of the "Healthcare" law. At the same time, the definition of socio-rehabilitation services has been expanded to include a set of measures aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens, including maintaining and strengthening their health.
Local executive and administrative bodies are granted the authority to expand the list of social services provided and the categories of citizens eligible to receive them. The possibility of providing social services based on a tripartite agreement is also envisaged. This will allow family members of citizens in need of social services, as well as other individuals and legal entities, to act as a third party in such an agreement and, for example, pay for social services. The conclusion of tripartite agreements is particularly relevant when organizing social services in residential institutions on a fee-for-service basis.
A tripartite agreement will also be concluded when organizing social services in a substitute family. The parties to such an agreement will be the incapacitated person, the individual who has taken on caregiving responsibilities, and the territorial center for social services for the population, which will support such a family.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is tasked with developing requirements for the content and quality of social services provided within the framework of state minimum social standards. Employees of the social service system and citizens must have a full understanding of the standards for providing a specific social service to ensure it brings maximum benefit. Therefore, clear regulation of the content of each social service included in the list of free and generally accessible services, and the definition of criteria for evaluating their quality are necessary.
Before the law comes into force, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection will develop regulations on social services in foster families; requirements for the content and quality of social services provided within the framework of state minimum social standards in the field of social services. In addition, amendments and additions will be made to the list of free and generally accessible social services provided by state social service institutions, instructions on the procedure and conditions for providing social services, regulations on social service institutions, regulations on the procedure for conducting a competition to select a contractor for state social procurement and on the provision of subsidies to non-state non-profit organizations, as well as to other documents.
News of Belarus (BELTA)