The Slovak magazine for social workers “Integrácia” has published its issue for the final quarter of 2013, with a focus on developing community care across Europe. The European Social Network’s John Halloran contributed to the debate with an article on a European overview of the reforms aimed at ensuring the transition from institutional to community-based services. Bringing examples from Poland, Latvia, and Romania, as well as Ireland and Finland, he argues for more individualised and responsive services, an emphasis on outcomes that deliver better quality of life, greater choice and participation in society for those previously excluded.

“In Europe we have a proud tradition of providing care and protection for the most vulnerable in our societies. This protection has sometimes meant removing people from their community and separating them out from other citizens into institutions, when it was thought that they would be unable to cope in society. However well-intentioned this view is, there is enough evidence today to indicate that people can live relatively normal lives in ordinary flats or houses on ordinary streets, provided that there is sufficient investment in quality services.

“Institutional care is not only a problem for the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Although many Western European countries have moved away from a social care model based on institutional care, there remain challenges when it comes to balancing residential and community care services and the quality and range of services provided.

“I believe a new approach to providing care is emerging which places emphasis on developing a more active and inclusive society where people’s potential is maximised, their voices are heard and where they are able to take control of their lives (…) It is also about engaging with people as partners and strengthening relationships between people to restore, maintain and enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

“To do this we need to develop our services and resources in the heart of the community, which support people to overcome or manage whatever condition, disability or set of life circumstances they face. This means having quality mainstream services in place in the community, from housing, healthcare and employment to education, culture and leisure, which are accessible to everyone who needs them. It also refers to specialised services, such as personal assistance schemes or special day-care centres, which will promote their social inclusion and can help prevent isolation within the community and for all.
“We all have a shared interest to promote change as communities which foster talent and remove barriers; they stand a better chance of thriving economically and of being seen as a good place to live. While we must seek to maintain our values of solidarity, I believe it is time to look again at the impact of our services and to re-examine the role of public services and the relationship between central government, the local community and the individual and their families.”

Read the full article here.

You can also download the full magazine (in Slovakian) here