Who is a service user?

The concept of service user and other related concepts such as service user participation, service user influence and service user perspective have in recent decades gained increased importance in discussions about the development of social work practice, research and education. However, when these concepts are used, there is sometimes a lack of a well-thought-trough reflection on what is meant. Who is a service user and what is it that this person uses? In relation to who or what is someone a service user? When using concepts such as participation and influence, one important question is in what context and for what purpose participation is important. What is it that the service users are expected to have an influence on? Everything from the personal treatment/help to a more structural or policy-oriented area are possible as objects of influence. At the same time, the professionalization of social work has meant a development towards standardized solutions to people's problems rather than individually adapted efforts and services, which sometimes makes service user influence appear as a tokenistic activity.