With the Commissioner-designate hearings approaching, how will the absence of a dedicated Social Affairs Commissioner impact the future of social services in Europe? In response to this pressing question, the European Social Network (ESN) organised a European Parliament Roundtable with MEP Alex Agius Saliba to spotlight key priorities for social services.
From financial sustainability to workforce development and quality standards, it was clear that coordinated action at EU level is needed to ensure that social services can continue to fulfil their mission of supporting the social inclusion of Europe’s most vulnerable.
Social Services: more than a commodity
MEP Saliba opened the roundtable by emphasising that social services are not mere commodities but essential lifelines for those in need. He underscored the crucial role of social services in ensuring quality of life, particularly for vulnerable populations. “Social justice and fighting inequality must remain EU priorities,” he stated, highlighting that the lack of a dedicated EU Commissioner for Social Affairs in the new European Commission is concerning. Alfonso Lara Montero, CEO of ESN, echoed this: “We cannot allow social affairs to become invisible,” he added.
Irma Borde, Policy Officer at DG Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion in the European Commission, pointed out that 20 million children were at risk of poverty or social exclusion at the EU. “Without accessible, affordable, and high-quality services, breaking the cycle of poverty will be nearly impossible,” she said, emphasising the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to support social services and ensure financial sustainability.
Towards a European social services framework
The roundtable discussions reinforced the fact that social services form the backbone of the EU’s commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights. Ensuring high-quality care, particularly through community-based models, requires a robust European social services framework that addresses financing, workforce development, and quality standards.
Strong, well-funded social services are essential for successful social inclusion policies. Arnaud Lopez, Board Member at the National Association of Directors of Social Care and Health in County Councils, noted that social policies are often fragmented across local and regional authorities: “in France, fragmentation and silos mean that social services are less efficient,” he explained, advocating for European Social Funds to be specifically allocated for improving social services infrastructure across Member States.
Ana Vilar Varela, Executive Member of the General Council of Social Work, highlighted the complexities of Spain’s legislative framework for social service, noting that many social services professionals lack a well-defined role and clear responsibilities: “salaries are precarious, and there’s a tendency towards privatisation,” she said. This view was echoed by Pawel Rabiej, Director of Social Research and Analysis at Korczak University Warsaw in Poland, who called for the immediate launch of a European strategy for the social services workforce to enhance the reputation of the sector.
Mr Rabiej, presenting findings from the study ‘Towards Community-Based Social Services in Poland,’ noted increasing demand for community-based services and emphasised the crucial role of local authorities in moving this forward. However, to succeed, there must be a multi-sectoral approach with the third sector too, he stressed.
Niamh O’Rourke, Deputy Director at the Health Information and Quality Authority, showcased Ireland's quality framework, which places the needs of people using services at the forefront to ensure safe, high-quality, person-centred care and support. In light of this, Mr. Montero pointed out that the current European Voluntary Quality Framework requires updating to include robust standards.
With this in mind, ESN, through its Working Group on Quality in Social Services, plans to propose a revamped framework by early 2025.
Reframing the narrative: less warfare, more welfare
Throughout the roundtable discussions, one message stood out: financing and quality in social services are intertwined. MEP Saliba remarked that social services should be seen as a long-term investment in the wellbeing of societies rather than a burden on national economies. He added: “We need to change the narrative. Less warfare, more welfare. If we have money for war, we should have money for the welfare state.”
As the Leading Social Services Network in Europe, ESN will continue working with the European Parliament and European Commission to build a truly inclusive and social Europe. We have been in contact with MEPs to use the upcoming hearings to ask the designated Commissioner for People, Skills and Preparedness about how she will promote social rights and services within such a large portfolio. Mr Montero underscored this vision: “Developing a European framework for social services will be central to ESN’s mission over the next five years. The time for action is now.”
