This panel will focus on the discussion of the place and functions of social assistance to the crisis and the reconfiguration of public policy and the role of social work within social care. The early period of austerity in March 2010, along with the economic recession experienced since the end of 2008, could reconfigure the country socially, if this combination is prolonged and public policies do not adapt to new challenges. Austerity creates new constraints either to public services or services of general interest in the social economy sector, given the financial constraints that have been getting worse and the difficulties of families. Come new difficulties accessing basic services, difficulties in combating neglect, abandonment and abuse of children and family tensions visible in the slightest respect for the rights of the elderly or even domestic violence. What new challenges are faced in the field of social assistance, in the case of external imposition of austerity policies and measures follow a philosophy of benevolence and not social right? What is the future predictability as to where the public welfare, development of public policies in Portugal? In a country at risk of economic downturn and decline of public policies and social policies, new directions that they should have to respond adequately to the new configuration of social risks? Since the retraction of policies to combat poverty points to new challenges for charities and new profile intervention in public policy, what kinds of challenges are posed to social services and how they relate to the "orders" received from the state and citizens? How should and how can social constraints stakeholders understand their mandate between citizens and state institutions?

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Social Assistance; Role of Social Work; Welfare State; age of austerity;