Moving from institutions to community-based care remains one of the biggest yet least recognised challenges faced by European societies. Due to the lack of reliable data, it is unclear how many people in Europe are cared for in institutions. A study by the University of Kent reports that about 1.2 million Europeans with disabilities are living in institutions, while the Eurochild report estimates that the number of children in institutional care in the EU is 1%.

Recognising this challenge, the former EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir ŠPIDLA launched an Ad-Hoc Group in February 2009 and commissioned a report. This report, published in October 2009, argues that institutional care segregates users and tends to be characterized by depersonalisation, rigidity of routine, block treatment and social distance, results that are contradictory with the long-established values of social work with disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Values of social care, pursued by ESN and its members, include protection and care for vulnerable people; respect of dignity of service users in care; excellence in social care practice; listening to service users and responding to their needs; solidarity with disadvantaged people and communities and equality and non-discrimination as service providers and employers. Directors of public services who are committed to these values are in a good position to take the lead on the transition from institutional to community care with the support of other local and national stakeholders.

ESN members report that the average size of an institution is over 120 beds, which indicates that large facilities are still common in Europe. ESN is committed to working on this issue in the long term. In 2009-2010, ESN’s working group on developing community care held its meetings in four EU member states and a High Level Advisory Group supported the Network in this field. Drawing on this policy and practice experience, ESN has now joined forces with other stakeholders at the European level and has become the newest member of the European De-institutionalisation expert Group (EDEG) – a formation that succeeded the Špidla Ad-Hoc Group. ESN took part in its last meeting 21 March in Brussels which focused on the situation in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

“Deinstitutionalisation is not about downsizing and does not mean simply ‘closing down of institutions’ but marks a change in the philosophy of care which prioritises people’s inclusion and participation in the society,” says ESN Chief Executive, John Halloran.

ESN will continue to work alongside the members of the EDEG to bring about this much needed change in the philosophy of care. At the forthcoming European Social Services Conference 6-8 July in Warsaw, ESN will hold a session on Community Care Development where the keynote speakers will offer their views on the human rights perspective and the economic case for transition from institutional to community-based care.