When discussing development of community-based services, it is usually about people with disabilities, mental health problems or children deprived of parental care.

The ESN seminar ‘Building Partnerships in Mental Health for Economic and Social Integration’ which took place in Madrid on 20th November brought together 60 delegates, almost half of whom were from Spain.

Is the placement of vulnerable people (such as children, elderly or the mentally ill) in institutions an optimal model of care for contemporary European societies?

How can local public social services achieve this? How can they help people to continue living their ordinary life as far as possible while meeting their needs?

The way we provide services is changing. Local public social services are developing new relationships with independent care providers.

Public managers of long-term care services are constantly making choices. They are striving to give older people greater choice over their care too.