Search results for ‘Subject term:"integrated services"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 1 of 1
- article
Integrated social services in Europe: a study looking at how public services are working together to improve people's lives
- Authors:
- MONTERO Lara, et al
- Publisher:
- European Social Network
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 88
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This report analyses how social services provide integrated support with other public services, such as education, employment and health. It consists of an overview of recent welfare developments, a summary of legislation and policy frameworks across European countries, a literature review of 60 international articles on service integration, and an assessment of 44 practice examples from 17 European countries, including the UK. The analysis discusses the reasons and aims for integrating services; how services can be tailored to individual needs; involving service users in service design and implementation; organising, delivering and managing integrated services; measuring the outcomes of integrated services; funding; and sustainability. Analysis of the literature found that policy and legislation to be the most mentioned trigger for integrating services. Practitioners referred to having to deal with an increasing number of service users or pursuing prevention as the main reasons for pursing integration. The report concludes by outlining facilitators and barriers of integrated services. Elements that were key to ensuring the success of integrated services include the commitment of stakeholders, the learning environment, joint training, and giving professionals enough space to test new ways of working. Recommendations for policy-makers, practitioners and researchers are also provided, based on input gathered at the integrated services seminar organised by the European Social Network. (Edited publisher abstract)