To revive EU action on improving social services quality, ESN led a Working Group on Quality in Social Services between 2022 and 2025. The group gathered evidence to propose a new, up-to-date European Framework for Quality in Social Services that takes into account the latest developments in quality assurance. Co-produced with sector professionals and rooted in recent practice, it aims to be a reference point for the development and review of social services quality frameworks and standards in European countries. 

The proposal is based on six key principles for quality social services: 

1. Human Rights-based; 2. Person-centred; 3. Outcomes-oriented; 4. Safe; 5. Community-based; 6. Well-led  

These principles are translated into 23 quality standards. Each standard is presented as ‘I-Statements’ and ‘We-Statements’, along with the arrangements that must be in place to ensure these standards are met. By formulating the standards in such a way, these are presented in a person-centred and outcome-oriented manner. 

The briefing also defines the scope of the framework, including definitions of quality and social services. It also describes the process of developing it and the sources of inspiration for the framework and organisations involved.  

Organisations interested in using the framework can contact policy@esn-eu.org to organise a review or to request support for developing their quality standards.