Dr Shereen Hussein Principal Research Fellow (Chair) King’s College London

1. Key Issues for the Social Services Workforce:Reflecting on the European Experience for the Australian Context Dr Shereen Hussein Principal Research Fellow (Chair) King’s College London Shereen.hussein@kcl.ac.uk VCOSS SEO and President’s Forum Melbourne, Australia, August 2017

2. What are social services? • The mechanisms by which a country’s social policy strategy is implemented • Ensures the wellbeing of individuals and their families • Some policies are more family oriented (Southern Europe) while others are individually oriented (Scandinavia) • Usually target more vulnerable groups affected by various issues • Poverty, disability, mental health issues, social problems etc. • Some programmes are more universal (e.g. prevention strategies) VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

3. Drivers of social services’ structures • External context • Global issues: fiscal challenges, migrationand technological advances • Policy context • Welfare model • The interplay between and within the broader national policies • Population context • Demographic trends and social change (fewer children, live longer, more mobile and dispersed) • Country specific factors • Diversity and culture, geography and disparities etc. VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

4. Welfare and social protection models • In Europe, there is a traditional distribution of welfare models - based on political ideology • Yet most social service models are converging, mainly due to fiscal pressures • Marketisation and mixed-economy of care • The European Commission adopts the ‘Social Investment Package’ (SIP): • Focuses on growth and social cohesion via social protection systems • Aims for high quality, integration and personalisation of services VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

5. Categorisation of some developed countries by welfare regime Source: Ferragina et al. (2013) Most European long term care models are now converging into similar models towards a mixed economy of care. Note the different welfare regime observed in Australia and New Zealand VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

6. A brief overview The Australian context VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

7. Life expectancy (years) at birth by sex, 1881–1890 to 2013–2015 in Australia For the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population born in 2010–2012, life expectancy was estimated to be 10.6 years lower than that of the non-Indigenous population for males and 9.5 years for females Higher life expectancy will not automatically increase the active labour force VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

8. Population Structure Population reached 24M in 2016. Over 65 represents 15% of the population. The population is expected to reach 40M by 2050. State growth has varied. Melbourne is expected to overtake Sydney as the most populated city by 2050 VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

9. Labour force participation rate of males and females aged 15 to 64 years, trend data, February 1978 to June 2016 in Australia Traditionally more women are informal carers; supporting and facilitating women’s multiple roles in society; responsive services VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

10. Migrants: Australia in 2013Population: 23,270,000 Migrants are a significant component of the health and social care workforce in Australia Service users’ cultural background is also diverse. Meeting diverse needs + supporting and preparing a culturally diverse workforce VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

11. Key issues in Social Services’ Delivery: The European Experience VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

12. Strategic vision • Service quality • Service integration • Personalised care • Digital innovations • Data and research • Life-course concepts VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

13. Social services role and key activities in Europe • Providing personal care • Coordinating services • Empowering Service users • Creating an inclusive society • Building relationships with informal carers and other agencies VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

14. Mechanisms of ensuring delivery and quality • Training and qualifications • Including reforms; service users’ involvement in training/education • Joint training for multi-disciplinary teams • Professionalisation of the social care (less-qualified) workforce • Only in few countries e.g. Northern Ireland • Regulatory bodies • Ensure competency; monitor quality standards; monitor professional qualifications; uphold risk management; support managers • Various registration bodies for different professional groups • Innovative practice VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

15. Key Challenges • Funding and resources • Supply • Workforce diversity • Skills’ development • Mobility & qualifications recognition • Implementation issues • Data sharing and communications • Personalisation and safeguarding • Marketisation and Implications on workers • Wages and work (in)security • Continued professional development • Stress and wellbeing • Retention and quality of services VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

16. Australian recent policy developments and key considerations • Child protection policies • The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020; The Royal Commission (NT) • National Disability Insurance Scheme • Market shaping and ensuring the supply of workers • Empowerment, choice and control while addressing potential risks • Population diversity • Geographically and culturally • Thinking about equality in access and experience VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

17. Discussion points • Data and research • Informed, evidence-based decision-making process • Workforce planning • Technology and innovation • Workforce development and innovative practice • NDIS • Life course and transition to aged care • Risks of thin markets • Regulation and support mechanisms for workers and users • The role of other agencies • Relevant governmental bodies; unions; advocacy groups; service users VCOSS CEO & President’s forum

18. This presentation draws on a number of studies funded by the Department of Health, Policy Research Programme. Shereen.hussein@kcl.ac.uk @DrShereeHussein 00 44 2078481669 VCOSS CEO & President’s forum