Background: Accountability in social work is crucial for ensuring professional legitimacy and adherence to public organizational practices. This is particularly important in the Estonian context, where social welfare is undergoing rapid changes due to Europeanization and public administration reforms. Aim: This research aims to shed light on accountability in administrative social work within the Estonian welfare model. Methods: A case study approach is used, analyzing publicly available documentation and data from three Estonian local governments (Viru-Nigula, Lüganuse, and Mustvee) collected between 2020 and 2022. Results: The study reveals challenges in predicting social service provision to clients due to the fragmented nature of the Estonian welfare system and the limited professional autonomy of social workers in local governments. Conclusions: The research highlights the need for clearer definitions of social work roles, stronger professional autonomy for social workers, and a more client-centered approach to social welfare in Estonia.
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