Social services play a vital role in supporting disadvantaged children and families through various services, including enhancing parenting skills, child protection, alternative care arrangements, and supporting vulnerable children in education. They also provide crucial support to vulnerable young people in education, employment, and housing. Our members actively implement Principle 11 of the European Pillar of Social Rights - 'Childcare and Support to Children' - providing quality care for vulnerable children and young people as part of the EU’s Child and Youth Guarantees.

The European Social Network advocates for effective strategies which promote integrated care and support for children, with a particular focus on child protection, support for young people who are transitioning out of state care, and measures to tackle multi-generational and multi-dimensional child poverty. Our new EU project, Side by Side supports social services professionals to develop integrated child protection systems to more effectively combat violence against children.