Vocabulary of Economic Classifications in Social Welfare

© National Institute for Health and Welfare, 2014

Terminology available:
- in PDF format (in Finnish)

Languages of the terminology:
- Terms: Finnish
- Concept descriptions: Finnish

In 2012 the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Terminology Centre TSK started a joint terminology project, the aim of which is to clarify the terms used in the economic classifications in social welfare. The vocabulary was completed in June 2014.

Information on the client's economic situation is needed in social welfare in order to organize social services and economic aid. The information collected and saved on the client's economic situation has been grouped into four classifications: income, expense, asset and debt classification. The aim of economic classifications is to gather, calculate and save economic information consistently. The classifications are a part of the client data model in social welfare, and their development began in the National Project for IT in Social Services (Tikesos) in 2005–2011. The development of data management and information technology in social sector continues as the responsibility of THL.

The Vocabulary of Economic Classifications in Social Welfare contains term records and concept diagrams for more than 200 concepts that are linked to the income, expenses, assets and debts of private persons who are social welfare clients. The vocabulary clarifies the content of the concepts with the help of definitions and complementing notes and gives recommendations on the Finnish terms. The relationships between concepts are illustrated with concept diagrams.

The vocabulary is aimed at experts who need to know the meaning of terms used in the economic classifications in social welfare. The vocabulary is also useful for partners in social welfare and for citizens who apply for social services. The vocabulary is an important part of the development of data management that is in keeping with the enterprise architecture of public administration. This will create better conditions for the interoperability of information systems and utilization of information.