This briefing was drafted within the framework of the 2023 annual work programme of the European Social Network (ESN), where the social services workforce was a cross-cutting theme across several activities. The briefing draws on desk research, the answer to a questionnaire that was completed by 34 member organisations from 19 countries, and an event that addressed ways to build a resilient social services workforce held at the European Parliament in November 2023.

Read the full briefing for a more comprehensive review of challenges related to labour shortages and how developing, retaining, and attracting the right workforce are key success factors for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and related initiatives like the Care Strategy.

You can also read the Executive Summary in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.