M3
Slide 14
CONTENT
Structural Barriers Across European Contexts
Across Europe, challenges may include:
Labour market segmentation
Conditionality within welfare systems
Administrative complexity
Benefit withdrawal thresholds
Limited supported employment infrastructure
In Central and Eastern Europe, additional barriers may involve:
Lower benefit levels
Limited social enterprise development
Higher informal employment
Weak integration between employment and social services
Policy frameworks must therefore adapt to structural context.
Integrated Health and Social Care perspective
From an Integrated Health and Social Care perspective, economic and social participation are health-relevant interventions.
INCOME INSECURITY INCREASES:
Chronic stress
Mental health vulnerability
Substance use relapse risk
Housing instability
MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION INCREASES:
Self-efficacy
Social connectedness
Recovery orientation
Psychological resilience
Integrated models should include:
Benefits counselling
Legal assistance for entitlement claims
Vocational assessment
Peer involvement pathways
Community engagement facilitation
Flexible employment reintegration
Integration is multidimensional.
CORE INSIGHT
Employment is a powerful pathway to social inclusion — but it is not the only one.
For people experiencing long-term homelessness, integration may mean:
Stability
Dignity
Participation
Social connection
Gradual reintegration
Sustainable integration pathways must be realistic, person-centred and adapted to health complexity.