Modern methods of supporting socially vulnerable families

By: Karimova Marjona Faxriddin

Abstract

This article analyzes modern scientific and practical approaches to identifying socially vulnerable families, providing them with comprehensive support, and helping them overcome poverty and dependency in the context of New Uzbekistan. The study examines the National Agency for Social Protection established under Presidential Decree No. PF-82 of June 1, 2023, the “Inson” Social Services Centers operating at the community level, the Unified Register of Social Protection, case management technology, and mechanisms for transitioning from passive assistance to active social adaptation.

Keywords: social protection, vulnerable families, Presidential Decree No. PF-82, “Inson” centers, case management, Unified Register of Social Protection, social contract, poverty reduction, social adaptation, empowerment.

International experience demonstrates that strong social policy is the foundation of state stability and sustainable economic growth. The revised Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan firmly establishes the country’s status as a social state. This means that ensuring a decent standard of living for every family in need of social assistance, persons with disabilities, individuals who have lost their breadwinners, and older people living alone is a fundamental priority of the state.

Until recent years, social protection was primarily provided through financial allowances and one-time monetary assistance, representing a passive approach to support. However, this approach has increasingly demonstrated its limitations. Continuous financial assistance, when not accompanied by measures that promote independence, may create dependency and restrict families from realizing their own potential.

In this regard, Presidential Decree No. PF-82 of June 1, 2023, entitled “On Comprehensive Measures to Provide Quality Social Services and Assistance to the Population and Establish an Effective Monitoring System,” marked a significant turning point in the sector. Under this decree, the social protection system began transitioning from passive financial assistance toward active, individualized support, encouraging people to overcome hardship independently and bringing modern social services closer to communities.

1. TRANSITION FROM TRADITIONAL APPROACHES TO A MODERN MODEL

There are several fundamental conceptual differences between the traditional social protection model and the modern approach.

1. From passive benefit dependency to active participation (Empowerment). Modern social work is based on the principle of teaching people how to provide for themselves rather than simply giving them ready-made assistance. The goal is to equip families with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to improve their living conditions independently.

2. From a reactive approach to a proactive system. Previously, citizens often had to visit multiple institutions and collect various documents to receive assistance. Today, social workers visit households directly and assess their needs on-site, enabling problems to be identified and addressed more effectively.¹

3. From fragmentation to unified vertical management. Social protection services have been consolidated under the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its local “Inson” centers, facilitating more coordinated service delivery.²

4. MODERN METHODS OF SUPPORTING VULNERABLE FAMILIES

Today, the following modern methods and mechanisms are being implemented in Uzbekistan and are widely used in advanced international practice.

1. Digitalization and the Unified Register of Social Protection

To reduce human intervention, prevent corruption, and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, a unified electronic register system has been introduced. This system:

– Is integrated with the databases of more than 16 ministries and government agencies.

– Automatically compares information on household income, real estate, vehicles, and utility payments.

– Identifies genuinely vulnerable families according to transparent and equitable criteria.³

Digitalization helps improve the accuracy of eligibility assessments, reduce administrative barriers, and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.

1. “Inson” Social Services Centers and Community-Based Case Management

One of the most effective methods in social work practice is case management, which involves the coordinated management of an individual’s or family’s circumstances and needs. Through social workers at “Inson” centers, this approach is implemented in local communities according to the following stages.

1. Screening and assessment. A social worker visits the household and evaluates the family’s financial, medical, psychological, and social circumstances.
2. Individual social service plan. A specific plan is developed to address the needs of each family member. For example, it may include rehabilitation for a child with a disability, vocational training for an unemployed father, or psychological support for a mother.
3. Intervention. Comprehensive assistance is coordinated with employment, healthcare, and education institutions to address the family’s identified needs.
4. Monitoring. The implementation of the plan is regularly reviewed, and the family’s progress is monitored until its critical circumstances have been sufficiently addressed.

This approach ensures that social assistance is not limited to providing temporary relief but also addresses the underlying causes of vulnerability.

1. The Social Contract as a Mechanism for Promoting Independence

A social contract is an agreement establishing mutual responsibilities between the state, represented by social service providers, and a family in need of support.

The state’s responsibilities include:

– Providing grants, subsidies, and preferential loans.

– Offering free vocational education and training.

– Supporting families in generating income through household plots and other productive activities.

The family’s responsibilities include:

– Using the financial assistance provided for its intended purposes.

– Continuing education or employment without abandoning agreed commitments.

– Ensuring that children attend educational institutions.

– Working toward earning an independent income within the established period and voluntarily relinquishing benefits when the family no longer qualifies for them.

This approach seeks to reduce dependency by encouraging families to take responsibility for their own well-being and actively participate in improving their living conditions.

1. Psychosocial Support and Family Therapy

In many cases, families remain trapped in poverty not only because of financial hardship but also because of psychological distress, alcohol abuse, family conflicts, and a lack of confidence in their own abilities.⁴

A modern social worker performs several important functions:

– Mediator: helping resolve family disputes and facilitating constructive communication.

– Psychosocial counselor: supporting individuals and families in overcoming emotional crises.

– Coordinator: bringing together available resources and connecting families with appropriate services.

Psychosocial support is essential because sustainable improvements in family well-being require attention to both material circumstances and emotional and social needs.

1. PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER IMPROVING THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM

The following proposals are put forward to further improve the support system for socially vulnerable families.

1. Expanding mobile social services at the community level. Introducing a “Mobile Social Patrol” system for vulnerable families in remote and mountainous villages would improve access to social services and ensure that assistance reaches households regardless of their geographical location.
2. Encouraging social entrepreneurship. Tax incentives and financial support packages should be expanded for businesses that employ working-age members of vulnerable families, particularly women who remain at home and face barriers to entering the labor market.
3. Improving the professional qualifications of social workers. Employees of “Inson” centers should receive regular training in advanced international case management practices, psychological assessment methods, and effective approaches to working with vulnerable families.

CONCLUSION

Supporting socially vulnerable families is a fundamental means of upholding human dignity and building a just society. The reforms implemented in Uzbekistan, particularly the mechanisms introduced under Presidential Decree No. PF-82, have helped transform social protection from a bureaucratic system of distributing benefits into a modern model based on professional services, individualized support, and the activation of individuals’ internal potential.

The coordinated implementation of the Unified Register of Social Protection, community-based “Inson” centers, case management, and social contract mechanisms is of exceptional importance in addressing the specific problems of vulnerable households, helping them escape persistent poverty, and enabling them to become independent and prosperous members of society.

Karimova Marjona Faxriddin

Second-Year Student, Termez State University

[email protected]

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