ABSTRACT
The analysis of the social service concept is a first step in order to identify and examine shifts and critical steps in the development of social services in Scandinavia. After 1945, social services have become an integral part of the organisation of social policy in most Western World countries. Beside the observations of how the social service concept is used in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, it is also evident that the concept is reflecting a common general modernisation process. The reform process in each country seems to be inspired by the other countries, more than by for example other European countries. In the European Union this kind of a creeping convergence has been observed, and has been at least as important as formal supra-national directives or conventions, and there is reason to believe that this is also the case behind the constitution of a Scandinavian social service model.
