Social services for the active inclusion of disadvantaged people Michele Calandrino – policy analyst Inclusion, Social Policy Aspects of Migration, Streamlining of Social Policies – EMPL E/2 DG Employment, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities, European Commission 23 April 2009 – CZ PRES Conference on Social Services

The integration of people excluded from the labour market Target group “people excluded from the labour market” [art 137(1)(h)]: non-employed working-age population suffering from multiple disadvantages (at-risk-of-poverty as a proxy): approximately 27.5 million people in the EU-25 Objectives: 1/ facilitate the integration into sustainable, quality employment; 2/ provide resources which are sufficient to live in dignity, 3/ together with support for social participation, for those who cannot work.

The active inclusion approach Strategy: Adequate income support Inclusive labour markets 3)Access to quality services which are essential to supporting active social and economic inclusion policies: Social assistance services; Employment and training services; Housing support and social housing; Childcare; Long-term care services; Health services. Key steps: Council Recommendation 92/441/EEC COM(2006) 44 and COM(2007) 620: a two-stage consultation C(2008) 5737 and COM(2008) 639 Council conclusions 17 December 2008 European Parliament resolution – May 2009

The role of social services New social challenges that have emerged since 1992: - transition to a post-industrial knowledge and service economy; - demographic change; - social trends such as greater individualisation; => need for quality social services and personalised support even more pressing. In particular: Access to services as a basic pre-condition for being available for work; Constitute transfer in-kind to households in need and hence reduce the poverty risk; Access to services supports social participation.

Inactivity and part-time due to lack of care services for children and other dependants EU LFS

Activation of long term unemployed national data

Expenditure on benefits in kind and reduction of at-risk-of-poverty after social transfers - 2005

Common principles on active inclusion Horizontal coordination: comprehensive policy design and integrated implementation Vertical coordination: policy coordination between levels of government and active participation of all other relevant stakeholders Principles common to all three strands: (a) support the implementation of fundamental rights; (b) promote gender equality and equal opportunities for all; (c) consider the complexities of multiple disadvantages and the specific situations and needs of the various vulnerable groups; (d) take due account of local and regional circumstances and improve territorial cohesion; (e) be consistent with a lifecycle approach to social and employment policies so they can support intergenerational solidarity and break the intergenerational transmission of poverty.

Inclusive labour markets Address the needs of people excluded from the labour market in order to facilitate their progressive reintegration into society and into the labour market and to enhance their employability; Take the necessary measures to promote inclusive labour markets in order to ensure access to employment is an opportunity open for all; Promote quality jobs, including pay and benefits, working conditions, health and safety, access to lifelong learning and career prospects, in particular with a view to preventing in-work poverty; Tackle labour market segmentation by promoting job retention and advancement. Practical guidelines: investment in human capital; active and preventive labour market measures; financial incentives; demand side policies; in-work support.

Access to quality services Territorial availability, physical accessibility, affordability; Solidarity, equal opportunities for service users and employees, and due account for diversity of users; Investment in human capital, working conditions, and adequate physical infrastructure; Comprehensive and coordinated services, conceived and delivered in an integrated manner; users' involvement and personalised approaches to meet the multiple needs of people as individuals; - Monitoring and performance evaluation and sharing of best practice.

Follow-up and supporting framework Monitoring and evaluation of the common principles in the framework of the Social Open Method of Coordination; Social dialogue: autonomous framework agreement on inclusive labour markets Network of Local Authorities’ Observatories to monitor and promote best practices on active inclusion policies especially in relation to quality services and to analyse the development and implementation of active inclusion strategies at the local level. EU Financial Instruments: The Commission will encourage use of the provisions of the new ESF regulation to support active inclusion measures; PROGRESS: mutual learning projects and peer reviews

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