42972 - Social Services Law

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:knows the (fundamental) legal institutions that characterize the national legal system from a social perspective—identifying social rights as a primary instrument for the transition from formal to substantive equality—as well as the EU legal system, pairing the original objective of economic cohesion with that of social cohesion;

knows the architecture of the current social protection system, and therefore the meaning, content, and institutional scope of the expressions Welfare State, Welfare Mix, and Welfare Society;

knows the defining elements, from both a theoretical and historical perspective, of "interventions" and "social services," as well as the regulatory regime of the latter, with a specific focus on today’s regional regulatory system, distinguishing between socio-educational, socio-assistance, and socio-health services;

knows the structure of Third Sector entities, with particular regard to the organization of volunteer activities and social cooperatives;

knows, furthermore, the current social security and pension system, albeit in broad terms;

is therefore able to understand the formal-legal reasons that structure the plurality of public policies in the social field, as well as to guide their professional prospects in either public or private employment with an appropriate awareness of the respective consequences;

is able to critically assess, both in terms of validity (legality) and organizational effectiveness, the procedure for a person in need to access a public social service, and how to potentially seek redress in the event of non-provision or poor delivery of the service.

Course contents

The course will be introduced by illustrating some basic legal concepts regarding law, the legal system, the State, and public administration. Special attention will also be dedicated to the constitutional framework and the significance of rights and freedoms within it.

The course will then delve into the main aspects of social services law, focusing in particular on the following topics:

The Welfare State and its pillars: healthcare, education, social security (pensions), and social assistance;

The constitutional foundations of the welfare system;

Performance-oriented administration (amministrazione di prestazione): the public service;

The state regulatory framework: Law no. 328/2000;

Public actors, the social private sector (privato sociale), and the dynamics of subsidiarity;

The integrated system and service planning;

Management models for social services;

The financing of social services;

Service users and their rights.

Readings/Bibliography

The course topics can be studied and analyzed in depth using the following texts:

a. Regarding basic legal concepts:

A. Cardone, F. Cortese, A. Deffenu, Istituzioni di diritto pubblico, Giappichelli, latest edition, limited to Chapters I, III, and VIII.

b. Regarding social services law:

F. Manganaro, V. Molaschi, R. Morzenti Pellegrini, D. Siclari, Manuale di legislazione dei servizi sociali, Giappichelli, latest edition.

Attending Students

Students regularly attending lectures will be provided with a specific syllabus, supplemented by legislative texts or judicial rulings (case law) analyzed during class.

Additional Recommendations

It is highly recommended to complement the study of these textbooks with the reading of the main legislative sources, in particular the Italian Constitution and Law no. 328 of 2000 (both texts can be easily downloaded from the internet at www.normattiva.it).

Teaching methods

The course is theoretical and will therefore be conducted through traditional lectures (didattica frontale).

The instructor reserves the right to organize in-depth seminars or other educational initiatives on current topics of relevance and interest to the students.

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed through an oral examination held during the official exam sessions, which will be scheduled with adequate advance notice. The exam will cover the topics and themes outlined in the syllabus.

For attending students, the final assessment will be preceded by a written mid-term assignment covering a portion of the syllabus, aimed at evaluating the student's understanding of the topics discussed in class. This assignment is optional and will be scheduled halfway through the course on a date agreed upon with the interested students. A passing grade on this test will be awarded out of thirty points (on a 30-point scale). A passing grade will exempt the student from being tested on those specific topics during the final oral examination.

Teaching tools

Slides and supplementary materials will be made available to students to ensure better accessibility to the educational content. Furthermore, upon request by the students concerned, additional tools or accommodations will be provided for students with disabilities.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Piperata