SOTKAnet indicators for monitoring the KASTE programme

01.04.2008

STAKES provides assistance in monitoring the targets defined in the national development programme on social welfare and health care (KASTE). SOTKAnet has published a range of completed municipality-specific and national-level key data on the targets of the development programme. The data will be further completed during the year.

The SOTKAnet indicators for the KASTE programme aim to help the municipalities monitor the nineteen sub-targets of the programme so as to find new actions to be taken to strengthen their ability to promote welfare and health.

The principal targets of the KASTE programme are to:
- Increase social inclusion and reduce social exclusion among citizens
- Increase welfare and health and reduce inequalities in welfare and health
- Improve the quality, impact and availability of services and reduce regional differences.

Some of the targets are to be monitored at the municipal level, some others are national targets. The purpose of developing indicators is often to provide a tool for making regional comparisons and observing differences. The KASTE programme takes account of the municipalities differing development needs and allows them to define their most important targets themselves.

Interpretation is an important aspect of the use of indicators at the local level and in comparisons between geographical areas: it often requires special expertise or at least background information about the data content and appropriate use of each indicator, as well as the concepts used. The interpretation of indicator figures often takes place at the municipality level - different ways of service organisation, for example, affect the figures.

At the start-up phase of the KASTE programme, the indicators can be made use of in making comparisons between geographical areas in the planning work by steering groups at the regional level. The indicators show which municipalities or areas have development needs in the attainment of individual targets. The indicators also help monitor the proceeding of the work.

For example the share of young people who are not in education or training should be less than 10 per cent of the age group (target 2). Figure 1 indicates that there really is a need for the target.

Additional information:

The national development programme on social welfare and health care (KASTE) http://www.stm.fi/Resource.phx/hankk/hankt/sote/index.htx (in Finnish)

This bulletin was compiled by: Tiina Puhakka

Figure 1. Those aged 17-24 not in education or training, as % of total population of same age