ESN brings together people who plan, finance, research, manage, regulate and deliver local public social services, including health, social welfare, employment, education and housing.
They believe that social services must protect and support vulnerable people, uphold their dignity and independence, pursue excellence and innovation in social work, listen to service users and respond to their needs, and promote solidarity with people and their communities.
ESN is a non-profit charitable organisation, supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020).
European Social Network is a company limited by guarantee (No. 03826383) and registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1079394).
The European Social Network Board (ESN) is composed of 20 member organisations which are professional associations of directors of social services. The Board is responsible for ESN's overall direction and financial management. Board members meet three times per year.
ESN members are at the core of ESN's work. Members participate in ESN's annual conference, seminars, working groups, training programmes, country visits and other projects. Members are encouraged to contribute to discussions, research or collaboration programmes with other member organisations or European stakeholders, to use the network to make new contacts and contribute good practice exchange, online or at various events. ESN has now more than 120 member organisations in 35 countries.
The ESN Secretariat provides strategic, policy, communications, financial and administrative support to the network. It also provides a range of services to members and manages the network’s relationships with the European Commission and other stakeholders.