[Between support and control: the intersectorial coordination of services networks]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Policy
• Sociology

Background:

• Social networks are crucial for coordinating diverse social policy services.
• These networks can enhance effectiveness and social support but also risk exerting control over vulnerable populations.
• Understanding intersectoral coordination within these networks is vital for public administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map social networks in Campinas, São Paulo.
• To investigate intersectoral coordination strategies among social services, education, and health sectors.
• To analyze the dual function of social networks as tools for social support and control.

Main Methods:

• Interviews with 15 district coordinators of social policies (13 interviewed).
• Questionnaires completed by occupational therapists (47.2% participation).
• Monitoring of two social networks over four months; mapping of 78 health-sector networks.

Main Results:

• A significant gap exists between the discourse on social networks and their practical implementation.
• While the necessity of networks is widely agreed upon, institutional changes for their effective implementation are lacking.
• Social networks demonstrate an ambivalent function, capable of providing support while also serving as a mechanism for control.

Conclusions:

• Intersectoral coordination through social networks is essential but faces practical challenges.
• The dual role of social networks as support and control requires careful consideration in policy design.
• Bridging the gap between network ideals and practice is critical for optimizing social service delivery.