The future for employment in social care in Europe: Conference report

Munday, Brian

Overview

Research report

The future for employment in social care in Europe: Conference report

Published: 22 January 2007

This is a report of a conference held in Helsinki 2–3 October 2006, organised by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, in cooperation with the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH). The conference drew on the findings of a research report published by the European Foundation ‘Employment in social care in Europe’.

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Reference no.

EF0701

Research report

27 July 2006

Employment in social care in Europe

In the context of an ageing population and increasing demand for care services in the European Union, there is growing concern about the supply of suitably qualified care workers. Low pay, low status, and high rates of turnover and burnout make it difficult to attract workers to the care sector and to keep them in their jobs. This report looks at a range of innovative approaches, in 11 EU Member States and two acceding countries, aimed at increasing the supply of qualified workers who can meet the growing demand for care services. It highlights a number of policy strategies that should be developed to address this issue, such as improving the public image of care work, raising the qualification profile of care workers, increasing salary levels, attracting more qualified migrants to the profession, achieving a better age and gender balance, and improving overall working conditions for care workers. By documenting good practice, it offers a range of practical responses to one of Europe’s most pressing dilemmas.
Catalogue no: TJ-75-06-873-EN-C

Report summary

28 June 2006

Employment in social care in Europe: Summary

In the context of an ageing population and increasing demand for care services in the European Union, there is growing concern about the supply of suitably qualified care workers. Low pay, low status, and high rates of turnover and burnout make it difficult to attract workers to the care sector and to keep them in their jobs. The report looks at a range of innovative approaches, in 11 EU Member States and two acceding countries, aimed at increasing the supply of qualified workers who can meet the growing demand for care services.