- Story
Social assistance: a “change in direction” to overcome feelings of resignation
10.03.2025 People who have been receiving social benefits for an extended period of time develop feelings of resignation as they see no prospect of improvement. BFH conducted a trial on a counselling approach called “Change in Direction” that offers them new perspectives.
Key points at a glance
- People who have been receiving social benefits for an extended period of time become resigned to the idea that their situation will never improve.
- BFH conducted a trial on a new counselling approach for social assistance recipients.
- The approach focusses on the recipient’s in-depth assessment of their personal situation.
- Participants subsequently expressed the feeling of having more control over their lives.
Why did BFH conduct the “Change in Direction” research project?
Receiving long-term social assistance lessens a person’s chances of being able to sustain themselves with their own resources. The associated poverty imposes a strain on those affected, who develop feelings of resignation due to the lack of prospects. In addition to this, there are no support services in Switzerland that provide targeted support to long-term social assistance recipients. The aim of the research project was to develop a new approach for this.
The new counselling approach led to an improvement of feelings of competence among social welfare recipients.
How did the researchers proceed?
The researchers applied the principles of “design sprint” to develop an approach that better supports long-term recipients of social assistance. The project method focussed on the needs of the clients and the ongoing improvement of their situation. The researchers called their approach “Change in Direction” and conducted a randomised controlled trial with the social services of three cities and one municipality.
The participating social assistance recipients were divided into two groups. For a duration of three to four months, one group received conventional support, while the other group received advice based on the new approach. At the end, the researchers assessed, for example, how feelings of competence, well-being and social assistance receipt had evolved.
What were the results of the study?
The new counselling approach led to an improvement of the social assistance recipients’ feelings of competence, i.e. they felt they had more control over their lives. They were also less exhausted.
Life satisfaction and receipt of social assistance evolved similarly in both groups. This could be due to the fact that these factors depend on important aspects of life, such as having a job, that had not evolved by the end of the counselling.
In summary, the new approach empowers people to face life’s challenges and helps them feel better.
What is the distinction between the “Change in Direction” approach and conventional consulting?
With the “Change in Direction” approach, social assistance recipients are asked to develop future scenarios for various areas of their lives, such as work, health or relationships. This allows them to take a close look at their personal situation and clarify what is important to them and what they would like to change and how.
This work is carried out in a more intensive process with more consulting appointments than with conventional support. Furthermore, another specialist accompanies the recipients through the process, which creates an additional dynamic.
The Swiss Conference for Social Welfare (SKOS) has adopted the “Change in Direction” approach.
What was the main challenge you had to overcome?
Some social services withdrew from the project before it began, so the researchers had to look for new organisations willing to participate. A third of the participants discontinued the intervention, half of them after the first interview. They may have had different expectations, or the in-depth examination of their situation may have caused them too much anxiety.
How does the project benefit society?
With the new counselling approach, social services in Switzerland have a tool that enables them to provide adequate support to long-term clients. When people who depend on social assistance and live in poverty experience a positive life change, it is not just them who benefit, but society as a whole. The “Change in Direction” approach exemplifies a caring society.
How did the “Change in Direction” project evolve?
The Swiss Conference for Social Welfare (SKOS) has adopted “Change in Direction” and has made it available to social services in the form of an online manual with work material. In addition, SKOS offers continuing education courses on the counselling approach for specialists.
More about the project and the BFH experts behind it
The “Change in Direction” project received financial support from Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, and from the Swiss Conference for Social Welfare.
The head of project, Simon Steger, is Co-Head of the Social Systems division and of research at the School of Social Work.
His work focusses on networking and effectiveness in social organisations. This involves analysing cooperations or reviewing structures, services and activities of social organisations.
