New responses to poverty and social exclusion from Social Work: the Mesa de Instituciones Sociales en Acción Social de Elda (the Mesa ISAE)

Abstract

In the last decade our country has been involved in a serious economic crisis which has evidenced the difficulty of the Welfare State to respond effectively to situations of poverty and social exclusion. In relation to Social Services, new proposals and new networking strategies have been fostered to satisfy the social needs of those who face social difficulties. The Mesa ISAE, which was constituted in 2009, was conceived with the aim of providing an alternative to the work which was already being developed by both the public Social Services System and third sector entities of the municipality of Elda (Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana). This coordinated action has succeeded in avoiding overlaps, establishing formal inter-institutional proceedings and improving management. The results of our research confirm that this tool is able to provide an immediate response to citizens, as it reduces bureaucracy and improves citizens’ well-being.