Access to quality social services is a key element of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and is notably enshrined in principles 11, 18, and 19. European social services, which are gathered in the European Social Network (ESN), prioritise ensuring quality in social care and support. This was recently reaffirmed at ESN’s 2025 Members’ Forum.
Many European social service regulators, public authorities, and service providers are currently developing or reviewing quality standards for social services. However, the latest overarching EU guidance on quality in social services, the Voluntary European Quality Framework for Social Services, dates back to 2010. Since its publication 15 years ago, the concept of quality in social services has evolved, which prompts the need to assess if it is still in line with current practice. Additionally, an EU study from 2022 found that the take-up of this framework has been very limited, especially at the local level.
To support the development of social service quality standards across the EU and to give new impetus to EU efforts in enhancing social services quality, the European Social Network will presented a new and updated European Framework for Quality in Social Services that is based on current quality assurance practice. This proposal has been developed by ESN’s working group on quality in social services through a co-production approach with social service professionals. It aims to serve as an inspiring example for the development and review of social services quality assurance frameworks at the EU, national, and local levels.
The Roundtable would allow social services representatives, social policy makers, and interested stakeholders to hear about the framework, discuss its ideas, and offer feedback.
PROGRAMME
Wednesday 19 November
15:00- 15:10 Welcome and Introduction
- Elisabeth Grossmann, MEP, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Austria
- Alfonso Lara Montero, Chief Executive Officer, European Social Network
- Jiri Svarc, Head of the Social Policies Unit, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
15:10- 15:40 ESN proposal: A European Framework for Quality in Social Services
ESN will present its proposal for a European Framework for Quality in Social Services.
- Alfonso Lara Montero, Chief Executive Officer, ESN
15:40- 15:55 - Views from the EU Commission
In this session, we will hear initial reactions from European Commission representatives.
- Jiri Svarc, Head of the Social Policies Unit, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
15:55- 16:35 Views from Sector Professionals and National Policymakers
In this session, we will hear from sector professionals and national policymakers about their reactions to the framework proposal and how the framework could help promote quality in their countries.
- Niamh O’Rourke, Deputy Director – National Standards for Health and Social Care, Health Information and Quality Authority, Ireland
- Herdis Gunnarsdottir, Chief Executive Officer, Quality and Supervisory Agency of Welfare (GEV/QSAW), Iceland
- Heinz Stieb, Head of Care, Consortium of Retirement Homes in Vienna, Austria
- Sandra Miķelsone-Slava, Senior expert, ESF project ‘Improving the quality and efficiency of social services’, Ministry of Labour, Latvia
- Markéta Kateřina Holečkova, Civil Servant, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Czechia
16:55-17:00 Wrapping Up & Next Steps
- Alfonso Lara Montero, Chief Executive Officer, ESN
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