Review of the Department of Welfare organization
Description of the action and objectives
Green Deal action
The Department of Welfare organization will be simplified with the aim of better meeting the growing need for specialization alongside coordinated and efficient service. This will be done by:
- Strengthen the role of the Department of Welfare specialized offices with the aim of enhancing quality control, coordination, and supervision of service provision. This project is to be completed by the end of 2024.
- The project Better City for Children will be transferred to four service areas in collaboration with Department of Education & Youth. This project is to be completed by the end of 2022.
- Specialized teams will be set up handling complex issues across the Department of Welfare. This project is to be completed by the end of 2022. Organization of service centers will be revisited to focus on harmonization between districts.
Implementation period
Planned completion in the second half of 2024
Status report on July 1, 2025
Actions are complete and strategic planning is underway to improve quality control, coordination and oversight of offices that provide support services. Part of the organizational changes made during implementation of the Welfare Policy was to enhance the oversight responsibilities of specialized offices in the Department of Welfare (offices for disabled people, geriatric affairs, and consultation). Among other measures, two one-year positions were filled with support from the Municipal Equalization Fund to conduct oversight and assessments for matters concerning disabled people.
Better City for Children has been transferred to all service areas in collaboration with the Department of Education & Youth.
The following specialized teams were established to address key issues across the welfare department: Field and counseling team (VoR) that provides services to homeless people, Keðjan support program for children, International team, Virknihús Activity Center and Team for Child Well-being.
Services for disabled people were reorganized at the beginning of 2025. Services and operations for this area were moved from centers to a centralized office in Borgartún. The goals of the changes included improving service quality for disabled people and making services more efficient through better use of financial and human resources.
Development of a new Welfare Policy action plan is underway and will include a continued emphasis on efficient, user-friendly and comprehensive welfare services.
Older status reports
| Timeline | Progress description |
| January 2024 | The project is largely complete. Procedures have been reviewed and improved in many departments. Several extensive surveys on service user attitudes toward various issues have been conducted. Coordination of service provision is discussed at the office's consultation forum and in meetings with counselors and disability service managers at the City's Centers. |
| July 2023 |
Procedures have been reviewed and improved in many departments. Several extensive surveys on service user attitudes toward various issues have been conducted. Coordination of service provision is discussed at the office's consultation forum and in meetings with counselors and disability service managers at the City's Centers. The project "Better City for Children" has commenced operations in all four districts of Reykjavík City. Project implementation is ongoing. The centralized structure of the Centers was confirmed by the Welfare Council in October 2021, and work is now underway to ensure that services provided at the Centers are consistent across the city. Four coordination teams have been appointed, one for each Center, with officers from each department to ensure uniform practices and equality in services across districts. Procedures have been reviewed and improved in many departments. Several extensive surveys on service user attitudes toward various issues have been conducted. Coordination of service provision is discussed at the office's consultation forum and in meetings with counselors and disability service managers at the City's Centers. |
| January 2023 | The project "Better City for Children" has commenced operations in all four districts of Reykjavík City (Completed). All specialized teams have begun work (Completed). The goal to increase the role of welfare department specialized offices is in progress and set to conclude by the end of 2024. |
| July 2022 |
The procedure at the Office for Disability Affairs regarding complaints and comments in the Department of Welfare's residential service has been approved and is now in the Information Well on Workplace. The Better City for Children (BBB) project has started in all four districts of Reykjavík City. The project aims to improve services for children, young people, and their families in school and recreation, and to bring it closer to the school environment, provide appropriate support as early as possible, and enhance collaboration between the Department of Education & Youth and the Department of Welfare at the local Service Center. All specialized teams have started work. |
Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:
- Reykjavík City Welfare Policy to 2030 (3.1.3, 3.1.5, 3.1.6)
Related actions
Societal objective
- 1. For All of Us | The Green Deal Residents' well-being and the feeling of belonging in Reykjavík.
- 2. Let Dreams Come True | The Green Deal Children and adolescents let their dreams come true.
- 3. Culture and arts will be integrated into city life | Green Deal Everyone has equal opportunities to participate in and enjoy culture and arts.
- 4. Sports for all | Green Deal Most people regularly engage in sports or other physical activities.
- 5. Improved public health | Green Deal A health-promoting, sustainable, and diverse community.
- 6. Human rights, increased participation, and improved conversations with residents | Green Deal Residents have the opportunity to work with the City to improve their quality of life.