Domestic and Home Care services leaders gathered in Paris in a new exchanges’ fora

On November 29, 2022, EFSI and the French Services to Individuals trade show co-organised the first Domestic and Home Care European Forum in Paris. Bringing together over 14 nationalities, the Forum enabled Domestic and Home care services providers and their business partners to discuss and exchange on the industry across Europe.

 

The first panel was about the Domestic and Care services of tomorrow and allowed four female entrepreneurs from France, Greece, Romania and Spain to explore with the audience different business models and the various challenges of running a business in the sector. Overall, the panel discussion underlined the importance of attracting talents and workers, ensuring proper training and professionalisation of the sector, and guarantee the recognition of the sector. What is more, the importance of service diversification was put forwards as home care services include both direct and indirect care services and they allow the people in need of care to better their lifestyle including as much childcare, ironing, cleaning and cooking as other services related to lifestyle such as caring for pets, provision of health care services and self-management activities. Growth opportunities arising from B2B to B2B2C services were also widely discussed. Finally, the importance of digitalisation was put forwards as it allows the industry to be more transparent and facilitates the connection between the workers and the service recipients.

The second panel was about the market trends and regulatory challenges of the Domestic and Home care services and took as comparative examples Belgium, France, Sweden and the United-Kingdom (UK). The first three have some socio-fiscal incentive when it comes to Domestic and Home Care services, whereas in the UK, the market is mostly deregulated. It was highlighted that sectorial regulation was highly beneficial for the sector, especially as it was – without public support – mostly part of the black market. Indeed, through fiscal incentives such as tax deduction or tax credit or service vouchers, it created a positive impact on the sector whereas in countries with no political support, formal service provision is very expensive and it is even more difficult to attract and retain workers. Also, the need for improved working conditions in the sector was underlined as much as increasing the value of the attractiveness of the sector. For that to happen, both financial and coaching support is required. Overall, a change in perception and increased governmental assistance is deeply required for the sector independent of the European country.

The final panel of the forum was about attracting, professionalise and retaining domestic and care workers. Experts agreed on the fact that, the recognition of the sector is paramount but it should be accompanied with specialisation and professionalisation, illustrating what they said with concrete example from Czech Republic, France and Ireland. Moreover, through proper incentives the workforce will be willing to engage and stay in the domestic and home care services. For instance, workers should be able to engage in career path, be empowered when it comes to work organisation and be given access to capital. Furthermore, the home care occupation should be redefined, and the perspective of the sector should be improved.  

After these lively exchanges, participants were invited to further share knowledge and ideas during a networking dinner, during which a delegation of Quebec actors joined them.