Impacts of enhancing the use of space

Objective of the assessment

The main question in the assessment was whether reforms aimed at enhancing the use of space by implementing new working methods have achieved the desired effects in the quality of the service provided to customers and the working conditions of the staff in daycare centres, health and well-being centres, family centres and the administration’s activity-based working (ABW) offices. In the assessment, reforms aimed at enhancing the use of space referred to the reduction of space, densifying the use of space or concentrating services in a way that simultaneously seeks to improve customer service and working methods. These reforms include ABW offices as well as the service centres of the Social Services and Health Care Division, among other things.

Conclusions

The reforms aimed at enhancing the use of space have achieved the desired effects in the quality of the service provided to customers and the working conditions of the staff in health and well-being centres, family centres and the administration’s ABW offices in particular. However, there has continuously been room for improvement in the facilities’ functionality. The renewal of daycare facilities by enhancing the use of space increased the flexibility of their use but appears to have weakened the quality of service and the working conditions of the staff. It is important that groups comprising young children have a safe space that feels like their own. In early childhood education and care, facility planning is also hindered by political decisions, which may significantly increase demand. It was noted in the assessment that there was a need in all services for customers and staff to be heard early on to allow the services and facilities to be continuously developed.