Quality of Social Services and the European Strategy for Active Inclusion 24 November 2010 Birmingham Silvia Ganzerla Senior Policy Officer- Social Affairs EUROCITIES-NLAO is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (PROGRESS 2007-2013). The information contained in this publication does not reflect the opinion of the European Commission and all responsibility for the content lies with the authors

Quality in Social Services Quality of Social Services for active inclusion? Part of EU Social Agenda (just coordination-no legal power); EC Recommendation on Active Inclusion (2008) (soft legislation) European Framework on quality of social services (2010)(voluntary)

What is Active Inclusion? Not a new concept: Part of EU social inclusion agenda since Lisbon Agenda: 1992 EC Communications; Gained full legitimacy in 2008 with European Recommendation on AI;

Linked to EUROPE 2020 Strategy (post Lisbon-Strategy): Active Inclusion Linked to EUROPE 2020 Strategy (post Lisbon-Strategy): Inclusive growth objective; European Platform against Poverty; Integrated guideline number 10 on social inclusion; But not always explicitly mentioned!

Active Inclusion definition (from 2008 Recommendation) Including the most disadvantaged people/most excluded from the labour market into society… ...Through an integrated strategy of adequate income support, access to labour market and better access to quality services.

Definition analysis: Active Inclusion - including [society need to take a proactive role] - the most disadvantaged people/most excluded from the labour market [this is the target group of the intervention] - into society [not just in the labour market] - through an integrated strategy [not just a single approach] - of adequate income support, access to labour market and better access to services [ there are 3 pillars within Active Inclusion strategy]

Key principles of Active Inclusion -European Recommendation (2008): Creating synergies between 3 pillars: income support, employment support and quality public services; Better horizontal and vertical coordination between stakeholders (local/national); Participation of NGOs, service providers, users, etc. A number of common principles.

Adequate Income Support Pillar: Active Inclusion Adequate Income Support Pillar: Income support to be combined with socio-economic integration measures (training, job search, etc.)… ……..not just passive support…

Inclusive Labour Market Pillar: Active Inclusion Inclusive Labour Market Pillar: Investment in lifelong learning, training for new skills; Personalised support to job search; Supporting social economy; Promote non-discrimination.

Access to Quality Service Principle: Active Inclusion Access to Quality Service Principle: Ensuring affordability, equal opportunities, coordination, users involvement etc. in delivering: Social assistance; Employment and training; Childcare; Health and long-term care; Housing.

Quality in Social Services Why social services are important? Source of job creation (5% of economic output in EU-27) Crucial for alleviating poverty and preventing social exclusion A stabiliser during recession/helping people into labour market/participating into society

Quality in Social Services Main challenges: Increasing and complex demand: ageing population, family structure, flexible labour market, Reduction in expenditures on social services: risk of increasing social exclusion Fragmentation in services provisions and financing People’s needs are not always met Workforce: demanding job, low salary

Quality in Social Services Challenges in Quality in Social Service Quality framework/tools not very common, Fragmentation in the provision of services is a challenge, Often quality tools are only formal, Little focus on working conditions of employees , Not always clear how stakeholders and users have been involved

Quality of Social Services EU Quality Framework on quality for social services: guiding principles NOT standards Available, accessible, affordable, person-centred, Respect of users rights/ participation/ empowerment, Working in partnership, Good working conditions/investment in HR.

Quality of Social Services Cities can contribute to the European debate by providing information on: Trends, Challenges, What works/does not work, Innovative practices at local level

Thank you Any questions? End Thank you Any questions?