Gonzalez-Portillo, Auxiliadora , Ruiz-Ballesteros, Esteban , SALINAS PÉREZ, JOSÉ ALBERTO
No
Alternativas-Cuad. Trab. Soc.
Article
Científica
01/01/2026
001682627000005
Introduction. Professional ratios are strategic for the functioning of community social services, yet different sectors (professional associations, users, academia) generally deem them insufficient. There are recurring calls to expand them in order to ensure the system's sustainability, improve citizen care, and create healthier working environments. While these demands seek to lower the number of people served per professional, they overlook the flaws in the calculation model itself, which continues to rely almost exclusively on professional-to-inhabitant ratios.This simplistic calculation method is reductionist, simplistic and produces inequality, as it overlooks both the diverse characteristics of the geographical areas where community social services are provided, and the complexity of the situations in which they intervene. Methodology. The study objective was to develop a model for calculating professional ratios for community social services in Andalusia (Spain). Adopting a mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative), fieldwork was conducted with the professional teams of seven Basic Social Services Areas. In parallel, statistical analyses were performed using primary and secondary sources. Results. A calculation tool is proposed based on four dimensions: population, demand, geographical dispersion, and social vulnerability index of the intervention context. The instrument generates different models depending on the geographical area in which the Basic Social Services Areas are provided. Discussion. This multidimensional, dynamic and flexible model is completely novel with respect to existing models. Moreover, it can be adapted to the changing circumstances of community social services. Conclusions. The calculation tool is adaptable to any Autonomous Community. Moving beyond a purely descriptive function, it offers a standardised ratio designed for the planning and evaluation of public policies in social services.
ratios; professionals; community social services; multidisciplinary teams; planning; human resources