Largest Conference Yet
Conference theme
The 2024 European Social Services Conference
The European Social Services Conference (ESSC) is the annual flagship event of the European Social Network (ESN), the leading network for public social services in Europe. The ESSC is the largest public social welfare policy and practice forum in Europe, attended by almost 700 delegates in Antwerp in 2024.
At the 32nd European Social Services Conference (ESSC 2024) we discussed how we can co-create community-based social services, with a specific focus on three thematic strands: Co-Creating Cities Social Inclusion, Co-Creating Responses to Manage the Future Workforce, and Co-Creating Digital Solutions for Social Inclusion.
The conference highlighted the various aspects related to social inclusion planning and its impact on vulnerable populations, different planning and management strategies, integrated service delivery, co-production between professionals, service users, and their families, as well as the importance of digital social inclusion in technological advancements within social services.
Take a look back at the best of our 2024 edition.
Catch the key moments from the 32nd European Social Services Conference, where experts tackled urban inclusion, future workforce challenges, and digital solutions for social services. Discover key insights on improving social inclusion and service delivery.
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Presentations
Revisit the insightful presentations delivered by our esteemed speakers. Download the slides here and delve into the valuable insights shared during the conference. (Available exclusively for delegates.)
Multilingual Experience
We are committed to inclusivity and accessibility. All conference sessions are available not only in English but also in French, German, Italian, and Spanish to ensure a diverse and global participation.
Register Now!
The 2024 European Social Services Conference will bring together leaders in social services to inspire ideas on co-creating the future of community-based social services. Register here to join the largest forum in Europe on social work policy and practice
How to register
Join us to exchange insights and shape the future of community-based social services through local planning, delivery, and evaluation.
Join the Practice Fair
A dedicated conference session to enable registered organisations to present their projects and initiatives to all the conference delegates. Contact Francesco Capuani to find out how you can get involved.
Conference Bursary Programme
Are you a user of social services or have experience in the delivery of care or social services? Find out about support to participate through our conference bursary programme.
Speakers
Meet the speakers for the ESSC2024! ESN is building an engaging programme with speakers on community development, supporting the social services workforce and the use of technology to promote social inclusion.
You can still submit your proposal to present at ESSC 2024 until 27 November 2023 for proposals submitted in French, Spanish, German, Italian and 1 December 2023 for proposals submitted in English. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your innovative projects and ideas to an international audience!
Become a partner
Find out how your organisation could become a conference partner, opening up numerous possibilities for brand visibility.
Key speakers
GET INVOLVED
Highlights from ESSC 2023
Public social services are facing a significant number of challenges in relation to increasing social demands and expectations. Digital and technology innovation are key in supporting public authorities to undertake large
Highlights from ESSC 2023
Public social services are facing a significant number of challenges in relation to increasing social demands and expectations. Digital and technology innovation are key in supporting public authorities to undertake large
PODCAST
ESN joined Ana Millán Huerta, Head of Digital Transformation, Social Services Institute – Barcelona City Council and Geoff Mulgan, Professor at University College London to discuss the role of technology in advancing social services. Listen the podcast here.
How to register
Register by 6 June to join us to discuss the latest innovations in social care policy and share your experiences in delivering support to vulnerable communities.
CONFERENCE BURSARY PROGRAMME
Find out about support to participate through our conference bursary programme.
Join the Practice Fair
A dedicated conference session to enable registered organisations to present their projects and initiatives to all the conference delegates. Contact Francesco Capuani to find out how you can get involved.
BECOME OUR PARTNER
Working on digitalisation and technology for social services? Supporting public authorities in their digitalisation journey? Have projects and/or solutions to improve the quality of social service delivery? If you answer Yes to any of these questions, we want to hear from you. Get in touch!
Supporting Decision-Making and System Transformation
Public social services are facing a significant number of challenges in relation to increasing social demands and expectations. Digital and technology innovation are key in supporting public authorities to undertake large transformation programmes leading to organisational change impacting administrations, professionals and people using social services.
Digital and Technology Innovation in Children and Young People’s Social Services
How has digitalisation impacted support for children and young people? What are the main areas of focus for social services?
Navigating the Future of Social Services
The European Social Services Conference
Europe's Largest Policy & Practice Forum
The European Social Services Conference (ESSC) is the annual flagship event of the European Social Network (ESN), the leading network for public social services in Europe. The ESSC is the largest public social welfare policy and practice forum in Europe, attended by almost 700 delegates in Antwerp in 2024.
The ESSC 2025 will be the opportunity for decision-makers in public authorities, third sector organisations, social services professionals, providers of technology solutions, and researchers to share and exchange their knowledge and experiences with peers from across Europe and other regions of the world.
At the 33rd edition of the European Social Services Conference we will learn how relational welfare approaches on the one hand, and welfare technology on the other are major drivers of social services transformation to make them fit for the 21st century. The Conference will provide the platform to address how the combination of relational approaches and technology in social services creates a powerful synergy that enhances efficiency, accessibility, customisation, trust, and empathy.
Registration Now Open!
The 2025 European Social Services Conference will bring together leaders in social services to inspire ideas on integrating relationship building and technology in social services. Register now to join the conversation and help shape the social services of the future!
6 reasons to register
Discover here the top 6 reasons to register for the 2025 European Social Services Conference and be part of the transformative dialogue shaping the future of social welfare.
How to register
Super Early Bird Rates Available
For those of you who like to register early, from 16 November to 31 December any registrations with their payment completed will receive a super early-bird discount of 10% on their registration fee.
Meet our Speakers
We are delighted to announce our first ESSC 2025 speaker, Social Entrepreneur and Policy Advisor Hilary Cottom from the United Kingdom.
Hilary is the author of Radical Help (pub. 2018), a book which proposes a new model of welfare: systems and services that foster our capabilities and human connections.
At ESSC 2025, she will ask delegates to consider how we can solve the deep and complex social problems we face in this century, drawing on her new book on work and her relational practice in the public sector.
We encourage you to watch Hilary’s TED Talk from 2015, where she discusses her ideas about redesigning the welfare state using the power of relationships.
Our 2024 partners
Become a partner
Find out how your organisation could become a conference partner, opening up numerous possibilities for brand visibility.
Register for updates
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