Towards tailored social work interventions for long-term social assistance recipients in the Netherlands: Identifying their challenges and needs

In the Netherlands, there are many households with long-term dependency on social assistance. Social policies and interventions for this population frequently utilise ‘work first’ and ‘human capital’ approaches, resulting in minimal positive outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to implement social work interventions that prioritise the unique challenges and well-being needs of long-term social assistance recipients (SARs). To develop interventions that align with this population, our study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of their lived experiences, challenges and needs. Through 29 in-depth interviews with SARs, we found that the accumulation of ongoing and emerging challenges often traps individuals in a cycle of adversity. Enhanced social support and self-management skills are crucial for improving their physical, mental and social well-being, and for combating feelings of shame, stigma and destructive behaviours. With these findings, this paper provides guidance for both policymakers and social workers aiming to offer better support to SARs.