Sociobarometers, compiled by SOSTE Finnish Society for Social and Health (previously the Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health), have been carried out annually since 1991. Various service providers (e.g. local social services, health care centres, employment offices, Social Insurance Institution authorities) evaluate the state of services and changes in welfare of citizens. Some current social policy themes are also included. The FSD collections cover data from 1994.
The respondents included executives of municipal social services, employment offices, health and social organisations, and the local offices of the Social Insurance Institution. They were asked to evaluate the socio-economic situation of municipalities, and whether it was possible to ensure the necessary services with the present resources. Changes in workforce and the possible priorisations of services were also mapped. The respondents assessed the wellbeing of their customers, as well as the changes in the welfare and social security of the different population and customer groups (e.g. the unemployed, the re-constituted families). In addition, they were asked to evaluate the adequacy of different social benefits (sickness benefit, subsistence subsidy, etc).
The respondents assessed the changes and functionality of the services provided by the municipalities, the Social Insurance Institution, employment administration, and the private sector. They were asked how significant a role various operators (families, organisations, municipalities) play as the producers of welfare services. Furthermore, they evaluated whether factors such as internationalisation are somehow relevant to the modes or future prospects of their operations (e.g. redefining customership, concentrating services). They also commented on the usefulness of regional social policy development planning, and whether the European Union membership had had any bearing on the customers' well-being. The respondents were finally asked to describe their feelings and sentiments regarding the prevalent state of affairs. The organisational representatives were also asked if their organisations had natural persons or communities as members, and if there will be adjustments made to the modes of operation.
Background variables included two regional variables.
The Sociobarometer 1996 was sent to all Finnish municipalities (the Åland Island excluded). Each social services office received one questionnaire. A separate questionnaire was sent to the local offices of the Finnish Insurance Institution, including both "full service" outlets and branch offices. The employment administration questionnaire was sent to 186 employment offices, and the organisational questionnaire to nearly all member organisations of the Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health, and the Association of Voluntary Health, Social and Welfare Organisations (YTY), and to some other organisations.