Social Services

Abstract

Britain, France and Germany exhibit both similarities and differences in respect of their social services. In all three countries, the organization of social services is devolved to local government agencies: Social Services Departments in Britain, Centres communaux d’action sociaux in France and Offices of Social Assistance, Youth Welfare and Health in Germany. Germany is distinct from the other two in that historically it has been the not-for-profit sector or voluntary sector which has delivered the services, receiving funding from central government and being regulated by law. This sector has been dominated by about six large organizations linked to religious denominations and political parties. In contrast, in Britain and France local government retains greater responsibility but increasingly contracts out service provision to the private sector. In Britain, services are as likely to be contracted out to for-profit providers as to voluntary organizations. A further difference between these countries, especially in the area of services to older people, is that there is greater reliance on funding via individuals’ social insurance in France and Germany, while general taxation is the main source of funding in Britain.