The Prevention and Early Intervention Working Group (WG), which will run between 2026 and 2029, was created by the European Social Network (ESN) after a 2025 survey found that 81% of ESN members consider it very important that ESN focus on prevention and early intervention as a key management matter.

Preventing issues through early intervention in social services can decrease the need for intensive care, such as long-term residential or alternative care, thus contributing to deinstitutionalisation. This strategy promotes cost-efficiency by addressing problems early, resulting in better outcomes for individuals and families, including enhanced wellbeing and reduced dependence on care. It also reduces the use of emergency services, enabling better resource allocation.

The Prevention and Early Intervention WG will gather and discuss trends, policies, strategies, and good practices on prevention and early intervention and elaborate recommendations for policymakers at European, national, and subnational levels, practitioners, and researchers.

We will adopt a life cycle approach, looking at the populations identified by our members as a priority:

· 2026: children and their families.

· 2027: young people transitioning to adulthood.

· 2028: adults with support needs, including adults with disabilities and those in difficult socio-economic situations.

· 2029: older people with support needs.

For any questions, please contact adriana.masgras@esn-eu.org or oscar.planells@esn-eu.org.