Beneficiary in the Social Service System as an Object of Sociological Analysis

This study delves into to the analysis of the characteristics and qualities of service recipients in the social service system. The relevance of the topic is due to the ongoing changes in the field of social services for the population. The empirical basis empirical basis of the work was the materials of a qualitative interview with representatives of households that include recipients of social service institutions, and the results of an online survey of managers and specialists of non-patient social service institutions in the Irkutsk region. The paper systematically categorizes the range of services provided by non-residential social service institutions concerning different beneficiary categories. Additionally, it illustrates the impact of socio-demographic changes on both the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of service recipients, as well as the influence of socio-economic and socio-cultural factors. Furthermore, the analysis encompasses the development of key qualities among service recipients: their willingness to pay for services, their level of awareness, and their overall activity. The study argues for the interdependence between the developmental processes within the social service sector and the formation of qualitative characteristics among recipients of social services. Through in-depth analysis, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the evolving role of beneficiaries within the social service framework, highlighting the multifaceted dynamics that shape their experiences and interactions with social services.