Supporting Individuals and Families in Community Centers in Greece: Social Workers’ Perspectives on Roles, Challenges, and Effectiveness

PURPOSE: Community Centers represent a milestone in the decentralization of the Greek welfare state, functioning as "one-stop shops" at the municipal level. This study explores social workers' perspectives on their professional roles, systemic challenges, and structural requirements for enhancing effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was employed. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with social workers across four Community Centers in the Attica region of Greece. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis following Schreier's framework. RESULTS: Findings reveal a tension between the psychosocial mandate of social work and the administrative responsibilities associated with welfare benefit management. Participants reported role ambiguity, bureaucratization, and boundary encroachment within multidisciplinary teams. These conditions constrained opportunities for psychosocial intervention and limited the exercise of professional expertise. Despite these challenges, social workers demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding professional autonomy and maintaining the social work identity of their practice. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that the effectiveness of Community Centers cannot be adequately understood through service-level evaluations alone. Persistent organizational and structural pressures may undermine practitioners' capacity to provide community-based support, while contributing to the increasing administrative orientation of social work practice. Addressing these challenges requires attention to both organizational conditions and the institutional framework within which frontline services operate. CONCLUSION: Structural improvements are needed to strengthen Community Centers, including standardized operational protocols, clinical supervision, and continuous professional development. These measures are essential for safeguarding professional autonomy, strengthening service quality, and sustaining the viability and human-service orientation of community-based organizations in welfare contexts.