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Social Services Investment for Recovery

ESN launches its European Semester Report for 2021 ‘Investing in Social Services, Investing in Europe’, which highlights the essential role of social services in Europe’s recovery.

On 29 October, ESN launched its 6th annual European Semester Report, which captures the perspective and recommendations of members from public social services practice and research on the implementation of EU social policy priorities and recommendations for national authorities.

To bring closer the work of our members and the ambition of the EC, the thematic focus of this year report is on three key Principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) concerning Childcare, Long-Term Care and, Addressing Homelessness. Despite these trying times, we managed to put together 17 country profile reports, together with a cross-country analysis and country-specific recommendations, as developed by our members.

This year was an exceptional one, with the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting not just the social and health sectors but also the EU Semester cycle of coordination between the EU and national authorities. As a result, the EC has placed more attention and prioritisation on insulating the Union against the possibility of a new financial crisis due to a sharp rise in unemployment and a growing demand for assistance from those populations most affected by the pandemic.

The key EU instrument that will address this is the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The renewed focus means that the EC will not publish country reports or country-specific recommendations in 2021. This only serves to underline the importance of ESN in bringing to the attention of the EC the key role which will be played by public social services in Europe’s recovery.

Based on this year’s analysis, the following points where made which seek to promote and raise awareness on the role of social services in the implementation of EU social objectives in regions and municipalities across Europe. Specifically, ESN and its members would like the European Commission to consider the following points as particularly relevant.

Promote investment in Social Services to support Europe’s recovery and resilience

Strong social services act as an effective safety net to protect the most vulnerable against the worse impact of any crisis. As with the current COVID-19 crisis, previous crises have also shown that public social services play a vital role in the economic recovery, through support for  the employment, health, and social inclusion of the most vulnerable in local communities across Europe. 

Support national authorities to set up a Care Guarantee for All

Support for vulnerable people comes mainly from cash transfers while there is little investment in the provision of individualised and integrated personal social services. A cross-cutting element across the 20 principles of the EPSR is the provision of support to different vulnerable populations. Promoting a guarantee to care for those who need it is the first step to ensure quality in social services and social care and personalised support for those in need.

Supporting the workforce to improve quality

Quality of social services depends greatly on its workforce who play a vital role in supporting those in need as we have seen during the current pandemic. The sector is facing a tremendous recruitment gap and there are issues with poor working conditions and funding, which have become exacerbated by the current COVID-19 crisis. Promoting standardisation of skills and training for social services and social care professionals and recognising their status will help to improve quality across Europe.