Transcript Slide 1

European Social Network
Social Services In Europe
REALISING POTENTIAL
Social services and active inclusion
John Halloran
Director
www.esn-eu.org
European Social Network
Who We Are
ESN is the independent network for directors of social
services, health, education and employment in Europe.
10,000 regional and local authorities in 25 countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania,
Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK.
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
European Social Network
What We Do
 Promote social justice and inclusion, quality social care
and partnership with service users
 Facilitate the exchange of best practice between social
care managers, professionals and other stakeholders
 Support the role of public services in the field of social care
and health
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
European Social Network
Active Inclusion
• ESN seminar: Social and Employment Activation, Metz
(FR) Oct. 2006
• Policy paper: Social and Employment Activation 2006
• EC Consultation on AI: comments 2007
• ESN policy & practice group on Active Inclusion 2008
• Policy & Practice Report: Realising Potential 2008
• Case Studies Report: Pathways to Activity 2009
• New film with employment training interviews 2009
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
European Social Network
What is Active Inclusion?
a chance to find
and retain a job
and (re-)integrate
socially
ACTIVE
INCLUSION
an opportunity to
make an active
contribution to society
and participate in
civic, social and
cultural life in
alternative ways
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ACTIVE INCLUSION
A new responsibility for social services
• Seeing people’s abilities and not disabilities
• Helping people to (re-)become independent
• Empowering individuals, families and communities
• Involving all relevant stakeholders (other services
third sector, business etc.)
• Providing opportunities for those who realistically
cannot work
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN Members
Policy & Practice Group on AI
Active Inclusion
Working Group
“A number of people on
activation schemes will
never realistically get
and retain a job. It is
our duty to support
their social inclusion
outside the labour
market.”
Niels van Tent, ESN
member, Netherlands
ESN MEMBERS
(1) Listening to People
Local public social services should encourage
people to talk about their dreams, their lives
and how they can realise their potential.
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN MEMBERS
(2) Making a Fresh Start
• Addressing health & social problems first
• Creating flexible system of care and support
• Designing personalised action plans
• Offering multiple pathways to overcome social exclusion
• Working with users, their families and communities
“We give people confidence that they are not alone”, ESN member in UK
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN MEMBERS
(3) A welcoming environment
• ensure the best possible access to services
• pay attention to different communication needs
• offer one-stop-shop service
• make the user a ‘partner’ and not the ‘subject’ of any
activation measure
“For many people it is a big step to ask for help in the first place”, ESN member in FIN
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN MEMBERS
(4) Supporting families
Local social services can play a key role in coordinating these
actions when users require:
• appropriate childcare (together with education services)
• adequate housing (with social housing)
• sufficient income (with income departments)
• care for older people (with health services)
“Some barriers to the labour market can only be removed by a
coordinated action of all involved services”, ESN member in HU
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN MEMBERS
(5) Building local partnerships
Local social services should form local partnerships with:
• health services (e.g. Sweden)
• employment (e.g. Germany)
• income services (e.g. the Netherlands)
• third sector organisations (e.g. UK)
• local businesses (e.g. Norway)
“Building local
partnerships is a step
towards more caring
and inclusive
communities”
ESN member in UK
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN MEMBERS
(6) Realising potential
Local social services:
• Assist users in finding their strengths and understanding
weaknesses
• Support and motivate those who can work
• Offer viable and creative solutions for those who cannot work
• Empower users to make the most of their potential through
work or civic, cultural and social activities
“We have a duty to be ambitious for people”, ESN member in NO
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
Active inclusion in practice
Case study 1
5 Steps to Work approach
(Allocation of service users in A’dam)
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Care
Social
participation
Preparation
for labour
market
19.131
11.607
8.591
44%
27%
20%
Step 4
Guidance
towards
labour
market
1.551
4%
Step 5
Work
956
Situation:
 Young pregnant
woman
 Early school
leaver
 No vocation
qualification
 Heavily indebted
2%
Not yet allocated: 1.365 (3%)
43.201
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
Active inclusion in practice
Case study 2
LFS data demonstrating levels of employment (in England)
Situation:
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
Whole population
2002
2003
 Middle aged man
 History of mental
health problems
and substance
abuse
 Completed
education
 Job experience
interrupted by the
illness remission
Physical health problems
Mental health problems
Social Services Conference
Czech Republic, April 2009
ESN Website
Active Inclusion Online
• ESN Publications
• Share good practice
examples
• Reach European
audience
European Social Network
Social Services In Europe
www.esn-eu.org/active-inclusion
Thank You !
www.esn-eu.org