Exchange of experience, knowledge and know-how in the field of social services staffing Erasmus Project

Project Title

Exchange of experience, knowledge and know-how in the field of social services staffing

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Economic and financial affairs (incl. funding issues); Social dialogue; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

The project is focused on the transfer of experience, know-how and good practices in social dialogue, collective bargaining and other factors relating to employment in social services. Its aim is to enable this transfer and good practice through the activities of employees of educational centers or institutes of partner organizations from the Czech Republic (APSS CR), Netherlands (ActiZ) and Finland (Hyvinvointiala). These are associations associating providers of residential social services as well as organizations with social partner status. In practice, they are organizations that bring together a significant proportion of employers in social services and are authorized to collectively negotiate with the relevant trade unions at a higher level. Furthermore, they are professional associations that have been providing other services for many years for the benefit of their members and are also involved in European structures (European Aging Network, Federation of European Social Employers). In addition, all partners are also systematically engaged in the training of employees. The project responds to key issues in the area of social services, which are the fastest growing sector in Europe in terms of creating new jobs. At the same time, however, the social services sector faces a shortage of skilled labor. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically focus on adjusting the remuneration system, working conditions, supervision, support and training of employees. The need for the social services sector also appears in the context of studies of the EU Commission. For example, in the Long-Term Care for Elderly study, Provisions and providers in 33 European countries in 2012, it is reported that by 2060 the number of people in need of care will increase by 115% to 44.4 million. The number of people requiring care in institutions will then triple compared to 2007. The provision of social services in the partner countries of the project is different from the point of view of the type of ownership of individual social service facilities. This stems from the data published by EUROFOUND in 2017. In the Netherlands, residential social services are operated by 80% of the non-profit sector. In Finland, on the other hand, the share of the non-profit sector is negligible in favor of public providers. In the Czech Republic, there is absolutely a minimal share of private providers – less than 5%. Indeed, the Czech funding system, unlike most of Europe, is particularly unfavorable to private investors and providers. To transfer the experience, know-how and good practice occur through 3 study trips – one in each country. The study trips will include workshops, seminars, visits to government agencies (ministries, employment offices), local governments, social service providers and social partners. The vocational program will focus on comparing working conditions and the working environment for employees in social services, on occupational safety measures, on qualifications and lifelong learning, on supervising and supporting employees as well as on their remuneration. The content of workshops, presentations and excursions will also be familiar with activities, educational programs and projects in the area of recruiting and retaining employees in social services, reducing their turnover, making individual professions in social services more attractive and rewarding them. The vocational program in each country will take into account the key facts and approaches that are unique. In the Czech Republic, there will be workshops and presentations focusing on the Certified Manager in Social Services educational program and the overall effectiveness of providing quality social services compared to relatively low care costs. In Finland, a system of stable and strong trade union status and a tool to keep employees in connection with the growth of private providers will be subject. In the Netherlands, a unique home care system – Buurtzorg, the role of volunteers in social services and also the successful “Ik Zorg” campaign will be the subject of workshops and presentations. Each study trip will be attended by 12 participants – 4 employees per participating country (lecturers, managers, experts, training staff) – and the program will run for 3 days. It counts 1 extra day before and 1 day after the end of the program. By sharing knowledge, examples of good practice, and experience, we want to optimize existing activities of project partners and expand, target and improve them, but also create professional friendships, partnerships and a network that exceeds the duration of the project. The outcome of the project will be a description of individual systems in the area of personnel provision in social services, a summary of good practice from individual countries. This overview will be freely available on the partners’ websites and will be presented at conferences, seminars and round tables. The target group is employees in social services.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 43649,46 Eur

Project Coordinator

Asociace poskytovatelů sociálních služeb České republiky, z. s. & Country: CZ

Project Partners

• ActiZ
• Hyvinvointiala HALI ry