From 16th till 17th of november the employees of Social Integration State Agency (hereinafter – SIVA) participates in two days-long study visit “Home-care and Community-based services” in Germany, which is organised by European Platform for Rehabilitation.
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Study visit focuses on the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which concern the social protection and inclusion of people. Agenda insights:
- update on the EPSR Action Plan and what it means for EPR members;
- EPR members share with their experience in providing different care services;
- Mariaberg:
- introduction, background and overview visit;
- exchange on Home care and Community Services contribution;
- Homecare and Community-based services - Part I Early intervention: Family, diagnosis and Part II Leisure activities pwd/ Living independently buying support from Mariaberg.
At the end participants of study visit debated on recommendations - what should be recommended to policy makers & funders to support community-based services?
Background:
1 The European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR, sometimes referred to as the “Social Pillar” or just the “Pillar”) is a key social initiative launched by the European Commission in November 2017 aimed at improving the promotion and protection of social rights of EU residents. It is structured in 20 principles divided in three categories, referring to equal opportunities and access to labour market, fair working conditions and social protection and inclusion. The Pillar does not give the European Union more power or competencies but is designed to be a tool that promotes social rights with joint collaboration and responsibility of the European institutions together with Member States, civil society, social actors and social partners. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan On the 4th of March 2021, the European Commission launched the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Action Plan is a window of opportunity aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to take firm steps in the implementation of the 20 principles included in the Pillar. The Action Plan designates a political willingness to work with a more global perspective and towards meeting the SDGs 2030 Agenda goals. The Action Plan presents three targets to be achieved by 2030: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion. The targets are accompanied by clear actions and deadlines. Services play a key role in the success of the Pillar. Many of those principles directly relate to the delivery of services, employment, education and rights of persons with disabilities. Affordable, quality, accessible and available services are needed for the rights to become a reality in practice but also, service providers have a protagonist role ensuring these social rights are met for people in the EU. The European Pillar of Social Rights on Community-based Services Principle 18 of the European Pillar of Social Rights states that “Everyone has the right to affordable long-term care services of good quality, in particular home-care and community-based services.” In order to achieve this goal, the Pillar also affirms that caregivers have the right to suitable leave, flexible working arrangements and access to care services.
2 Mariaberg e.V. is a Diaconal Social Service institution with an offering that is available to people of all age groups, from early childhood to advanced age, who suffer from learning needs and social deprivation.
Other information:
Since 1 July 2015, SIVA has become a member of the European Platform for Rehabilitation to develop rehabilitation services for disabled persons. EPR is a network organisation which provides support to social service providers through mutual training to promote excellence and innovation in working with disabled persons.