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, health centres, employment offices, health and social organisations, and the local offices of the Social Insurance Institution. The executives assessed the well-being of their customers, as well as the well-being and social security of specific population groups (e.g. the unemployed, the re-constituted families). They also evaluated the adequacy of different social benefits (sickness benefit, subsistence subsidy, etc). The respondents were asked to evaluate the socio-economic situation of municipalities, and whether it was possible to ensure the necessary services with the present resources. The functionality of services, as well as the changes in the services provided by the municipal social and health services, the Social Insurance Institution, employment administration, and the private sector were also canvassed.
The respondents assessed the significance of the informal sector, and the role of various operators (organisations, municipalities, self-care) producing help and support. Workforce adequacy and competence development were also canvassed. The respondents evaluated how significant a role various operators play in the regional social and health policy, and what kind of impact this policy has on the well-being of the customers. They were asked to monitor some social policy related issues, such as means-testing and migration. In addition, the executives representing health and social organisations evaluated the possible organisational changes, and the effects these might have on regional co-operation.
Background variables included the respondent's occupational position or title and province.
The Sociobarometer 1998 questionnaire was sent to all Finnish municipalities (the Åland Island excluded). Each municipality received two questionnaires: one for the social services office, and one for the health centre. A separate questionnaire was sent to the local offices of the Finnish Insurance Institution, including both "full service" outlets and branch offices. Their answers, as well as those received from the employment offices, cover office's whole area of operation. The organisational questionnaire was sent to the central associations representing the social services and health sector.