This study aims to diagnose the protection level of the social service programs provided by the central government. Ultimately, we recommend policy actions to strengthen the social service system in order to meet various social service needs and provide integrated services. Using data from the survey of government officials and the 2015 National Survey of Social Service Demand and Supply, we examine the protection level of the social service programs from the policy and user perspectives, which is analyzed by life-course and service function. We then discuss current issues on how to increase a protection level of social services, especially focusing on care, mental health, security and protection, employment, housing, and cultural services. Findings reveal that there is a gap in the coverage and adequacy of social service programs by life-course and service function. Social service investments have focused primarily on child care services over the last decade, and social service system might not appropriately serve for people considering their life circumstances and various service needs. Improving social service system calls for a new policy and practice approach. To facilitate further progress in social service programs, we recommend that the government departments need to work together and develop a shared vision of how to increase the protection level of social service programs. We argue that it is important to set policy priorities with respect to whose and what social service needs must be urgently addressed. Finally, more policy efforts are required to strengthen the responsibility and capability of local government in that social services are basically provided in the local community.  

Abstract ················································································································1

Ch. 1. Introduction ·························································································9

A. Research Background and Purpose ················································································11

B. Research Scope and Method ················································································14

Ch. 2. Policy Background and Overview of Major Concepts ··························································17

A. Policy Process of Social Services ···································································19

B. The Concept and Scope of Social Service under Debate ·····························································33

C. Discussions on the Coverage of Social Services ········································································37

Ch. 3. Diagnosing the Current State of the Social Service Coverage(Ⅰ): Policy Perspective ·························47

A. Overview·······································································································49

B. Data ······························································································50

C. Results of the Analysis ······························································································55

Ch. 4. Diagnosing the Current State of the Social Service Coverage(Ⅱ): User Perspective ·························83

A. Overview ·······································································································85

B. Data and the Method of Analysis ················································································85

C. Results of the Analysis ······························································································89

D. Chapter Conclusion ·····································································································111

Ch. 5. Diagnosing Major Social Service Programs ···································113

A. Overview ·····································································································115

B. Social Care Services ·········································································116

C. Health Care: Mental Health Promotion Services ·········································140

D. Social Services for Safety and Rights Protection ··················································164

E. Social Services for Employment ·········································································195

F. Housing Services ·········································································223

G. Cultural Social Services ·········································································242

Ch. 6. Conclusion and Policy Suggestions ································································275

A. Summary of Research Results ···········································································277

B. Policy Suggestions ····························································································285

References ···························································································297

Appendices ································································································315