REALISING POTENTIAL Social services and active inclusion John Halloran Director

REALISING POTENTIALSocial services and active inclusion

John HalloranDirector

European Social NetworkSocial Services In Europe

www.esn-eu.org

European Social NetworkWho 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 NetworkWhat 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 ConferenceCzech Republic, April 2009

• 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


European Social NetworkActive Inclusion

European Social NetworkWhat 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

• 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


ACTIVE INCLUSIONA new responsibility for social services

Active InclusionWorking 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 MembersPolicy & Practice Group on AI

Local public social services should encourage

people to talk about their dreams, their lives

and how they can realise their potential.


ESN MEMBERS(1) Listening to People

• 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


ESN MEMBERS(2) Making a Fresh Start

“We give people confidence that they are not alone”, ESN member in UK

• 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

ESN MEMBERS(3) A welcoming environment

• 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

Local social services can play a key role in coordinating these actions when users require:

ESN MEMBERS(4) Supporting families

• 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)


Local social services should form local partnerships with:

“Building local partnerships is a step towards more caring

and inclusive communities”

ESN member in UK

ESN MEMBERS(5) Building local partnerships

• 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


Local social services:

“We have a duty to be ambitious for people”, ESN member in NO

ESN MEMBERS(6) Realising potential


Active inclusion in practiceCase study 1

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

CareSocial

participation

Preparationfor labour

market

Guidance towardslabourmarket

Work

19.131 11.607 8.591 1.551 956

Not yet allocated: 1.365 (3%)

44% 27% 20% 4% 2%

43.201

5 Steps to Work approach(Allocation of service users in A’dam) Situation:

Young pregnant woman Early school leaver No vocation qualification Heavily indebted


Active inclusion in practiceCase study 2

LFS data demonstrating levels of employment (in England)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Whole population Physical health problems

Mental health problems

Situation: Middle aged man History of mental health problems and substance abuse Completed education Job experience interrupted by the illness remission

ESN WebsiteActive Inclusion Online

• ESN Publications• Share good practice examples• Reach European audience

www.esn-eu.org/active-inclusion

European Social NetworkSocial Services In Europe

www.esn-eu.org

Thank You !

REALISING POTENTIAL Social services and active inclusion John Halloran Director

Documents

social inclusion

social justice

social exclusionworking

norwaylocal social services

directors of social

field of social care

quality social care

social care managers