17th European Social Services Conference: Quality and performance in social services in Europe - better outcomes for people

As part of this Czech Presidency conference taking place in Prague, 22-24 June 2009, Eurofound and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Work Opportunities, Netherlands, will hold a workshop on

TACKLING THE INCREASED TAKE-UP OF INCAPACITY BENEFIT BY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE EU New Workshop report

According to the latest OECD figures, EU governments are spending twice as much on illness and disability benefits as on unemployment benefits. In many countries, including the Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Finland and Poland young people are among the fastest growing age group of incapacity benefit recipients.

This workshop will aim to:

• investigate the reasons for the increase in the number of young people receiving incapacity/disability benefits in EU countries

• identify what are the most effective measures for activation to employment, including the role of social, health and employment services, as well as educational systems and employers

• consider how local social services can contribute to prevention as well as management of long-term illness or disability among young people, and their role in motivating people to take up and retain employment.

Delegates wishing to pre-book places at this workshop can do so on the ESN conference website.