Identifying The Challenges And Solutions Of Applying Cultural Considerations In The Provision Of Social Services

Sasani, Emran; Gharaat Khiaban, Marzieh; Adelyan, Hamideh

doi:10.30465/scs.2025.51757.3002

Identifying The Challenges And Solutions Of Applying Cultural Considerations In The Provision Of Social Services

Articles in Press

Document Type : .

Authors

emran sasani ¹

Marzieh Gharaat Khiaban ²

hamideh adelyan ³

¹ Master of Social Work graduate, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30465/scs.2025.51757.3002

Abstract

The present study examined new approaches to addressing vulnerable groups and cultural diversity in the provision of social services and analyzed the role of cultural competence of employees in empowering clients. Using a qualitative method and semi-structured interviews, data from 14 cultural competence professors and 9 welfare authorities were collected and analyzed thematically. The findings showed that both "elite" and "service users" groups have an inadequate understanding of the importance of cultural considerations in service provision. The identified challenges were categorized into three levels: individual (such as lack of professional awareness), organizational (such as lack of training programs), and supra-organizational (such as ineffective policymaking). The proposed solutions also emphasized reforming these levels, including employee training, reviewing organizational structures, and macro-social policies. The results indicate the need to redefine service delivery standards with a focus on cultural diversity and the vulnerability of target groups.

Keywords

Cultural competence

cultural considerations

challenges

social service organizations

service providers

service recipients

Subjects