The Home Care Service (SAD, from the Spanish) is a core provision within Basic Social Services (SSB, from the Spanish) in Catalonia, particularly relevant in the context of population ageing and the ongoing processes of deinstitutionalisation of care. Its effectiveness is closely tied to the working conditions of frontline care professionals, establishing a structural link between service quality and the quality of employment.
This article analyses that relationship from the perspective of SAD coordinators—social workers operating within the SSBs in the province of Barcelona. Using a mixed methods approach that combines an online survey of 79 local authorities and three focus groups with 24 service coordinators, the study identifies the main factors influencing service quality.
The findings reveal broad professional consensus with regard to the fact that working conditions and the applicable collective bargaining agreement are decisive for ensuring quality care. Other key factors include the management model of the SAD and staffing shortages within the SSBs. Altogether, these insights reinforce the need for public policies that promote a fairer and more sustainable model of SAD provision, strengthening its technical management and incorporating gender and intersectional perspectives as core strategic approaches.
