This study examines the social exclusion characteristics of a sample of users of primary care social services in two local entities in Spain. The objective of this study was to identify the intensity and scope of social exclusion in an exploratory way and to look at the typology of existing exclusionary situations to inform policy making and professional practice. Data from 1009 users were collected by primary care social services professionals, completing the Social Exclusion Scale of the University of Alicante (SES-UA). The dimensions with the greatest levels of social exclusion in the study population were those related to work/employment, income and education and training. The dimensions with an intermediate level of exclusion were those related to housing and social isolation. Social acceptance, family and social conflict and health were the dimensions with the lowest levels of exclusion. The analysis also showed the existence of five significantly different groups, that showed five different life trajectories along the continuum between social exclusion and social inclusion. The results show the importance and utility of developing professional and policy intervention protocols based on research evidence, with the objective of improving the quality of life of the users.

Diversity is a characteristic inherent to the human species (Ramírez-Goicoechea, 2011), manifesting itself in a multitude of dimensions, from culture and language to different forms of economic org...

Service-learning (SL) is a participatory teaching–learning methodology through which students learn certain content while also meeting a number of real social needs in their environment. The implementation of SL in different areas and educational stages has been extensively described. However, its potential as a community and intercultural development strategy at the local level has not been widely studied. Through a documentary analysis, the present work sought to understand the characteristics of socio-educational interventions, which, based on the service-learning methodology, aim at improving coexistence in local communities with a high degree of cultural diversity. A total of 18 projects were included in a community programme implemented in the municipality of Elche (Spain) between 2010 and 2016. They all focused or included the promotion of intercultural coexistence among their objectives. The study design was quantitative, with a descriptive and explanatory, univariate and bivariate analysis using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences 26. The results showed that service-learning can contribute to the improvement of intercultural coexistence. Moreover, a number of SL basic, pedagogical and organisational components are enhanced when integrated into broader community development processes.

Este trabajo presenta la percepción de las personas usuarias de los Servicios Sociales de Atención Primaria (SSAP) sobre la calidad en los servicios prestados. Se enmarca en el proyecto de investigación en curso "Indicadores de calidad en los Servicios Sociales" (INCASS) (CSO2008-04359/SOCI), financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Plan Nacional I+D+i 2008-2011). La participación en sus diferentes modalidades ha sido y es considerada un elemento clave característico de estos servicios que además contribuye a incrementar su calidad, pero las experiencias en esta dirección en los SSAP no son numerosas. Este proyecto introduce un enfoque innovador al proponerse conocer la visión de los usuarios como informantes clave para el diseño de estándares de calidad en los servicios sociales. Se ha seguido un enfoque metodológico cualitativo con finalidad exploratoria basado en entrevistas en profundidad realizadas en tres Comunidades Autónomas (Comunidad Valenciana, Región de Murcia y Comunidad de Madrid) (N=64; n=61; 95,3% de participación). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el principal contenido de la calidad de los SSAP para las personas usuarias es la calidad de la atención profesional. Comparten una definición de calidad, basada en su experiencia subjetiva en los SSAP, que elaboran a partir de las características de la ayuda profesional recibida, pero también de la satisfacción de su demanda. El trabajo aporta información novedosa, relevante y concreta sobre la visión de las personas usuarias acerca de qué es calidad en los SSAP y las implicaciones de esta perspectiva para la planificación y evaluación de dichos servicios.The paper presents the users' perception on quality of the Primary Care Social Services of Spain (PCSS), as a part of the ongoing research project "Quality indicators in Social Services" (INCASS) (CSO2008-04359/SOCI), financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Plan Nacional I + D + i 2008-2011). Participation in its various forms has been and is considered a key characteristic of these services that also helps to improve its quality, but the experiences in this area in the PCSS are not numerous. This project introduces an innovative approach since it is taking into consideration the users' point of view as key information for the design of quality standards in social services. Following a qualitative approach with exploratory purposes, based in-depth interviews in three regions (Valencia, Murcia and Madrid) (N = 64, n = 61, 95.3% participation), the results obtained show that, from the users' point of view, the main content of the quality of the PCSS is the quality of professional care. They share a definition of quality, based on their subjective experience in the PCSS, developed from the characteristics of the professional counseling received, but also from the satisfaction of their demands. The study provides new, relevant and concrete information on the users' vision about what is quality in the PCSS and its implications for planning and evaluation of services.Trabajo realizado en el marco del proyecto de investigación “Indicadores de calidad en los Servicios Sociales” (INCASS) (CSO2008-04359/SOCI), financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Plan Nacional I+D+i 2008-2011)

Debating represents an active teaching–learning method in higher education. Engaging in debates helps to acquire and develop transversal skills, which are essential to successfully function in personal, academic, and professional spheres. In this quantitative, descriptive, and explanatory study, we analyse how attitudes included within transversal competences were acquired through a debate activity conducted as a part of the social work programme at the University of Alicante. A total of 74 students participated, with an average age of 22.34 years, the majority of which were women. The students were divided into two evaluation groups: a peer evaluation group and a teacher evaluation group. Using an ad hoc questionnaire, three categories of variables were studied: sociodemographic variables; organisational and activity evaluation variables; and variables relating to the acquisition of attitudes. The results indicated that debating favoured communication, innovation and entrepreneurship, social commitment, critical thinking, information management, autonomy and self-regulation, as well as teamwork. Variations were also found according to the university admission modality and the evaluation agent. These results highlight not only how useful debating can be as a pedagogical tool, but also the need to consider different contextual factors when implementing debate activities in the context of university studies.

Este artículo se ha desarrollado en el marco de un trabajo de investigación más amplio sobre indicadores de calidad en los Servicios Sociales, cuya finalidad es integrar la perspectiva de profesionales y usuarios sobre la calidad en los Servicios Sociales de Atención Primaria (SSAP). Siguiendo un enfoque cualitativo con finalidad exploratoria, mediante entrevistas en profundidad a usuarios y grupos de discusión con profesionales, los resultados recogen su visión sobre la práctica profesional en estos Servicios y, específicamente, sobre las habilidades, actitudes y cualidades necesarias. El trabajo muestra que, aun con experiencias, posiciones y roles diferentes, ambos comparten una perspectiva sobre la práctica profesional necesaria en estos Servicios, en los que las habilidades de comunicación interpersonal y la predisposición o actitud en la relación son elementos clave. Sobre las cualidades personales hay acuerdo en considerarlas un facilitador de la interacción, pero los profesionales destacan que si no van acompañadas de formación no garantizan un trabajo de calidad. Los hallazgos de este trabajo pueden ser útiles para el diseño y revisión de los procesos de formación y selección de los profesionales.