2010 is the European Year for Combating Social Exclusion and Poverty, a time of challenge and change for social services and for Europe.

The challenges include those of demographic change and increased service costs on long-term care; rising unemployment, especially amongst the young; and a desire for greater independence and choice for all in need of social care. At the same time Europe is in the middle of one of the most profound financial crises in recent history with implications for the financing of public services. These are also times of change at a European level with a new Parliament and Commission and a new agenda for economic, social and environmental policy.

Such challenges and changes present a unique opportunity to review the way we develop and provide services.

This conference, held in partnership with the Spanish Presidency of the European Union opens a crucial and timely debate about the future of social services in Europe. The conference will look at current trends, challenges and opportunities for local directors and managers in areas such as public finance, the use of ICT, new forms of service partnership, skills development, user and carer participation and self-management of care.

Speakers will include a wide range of experts from all sectors and interests to engage in debate in plenary sessions and workshops and seek to answer questions such as:

• How should we respond to the current financial pressures and what are the medium and long term scenarios?
• Can we encourage innovation and creativity at a time when expenditure is limited?
• Are our service assessment and delivery models efficient and client centred?
• How can we make the very best use of the skills in our workforce to provide more effective services?
• How should we ensure that our services are environmentally and economically sustainable?
• What are the opportunities for European added value through mutual learning and policy development?

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