Socially excluded adults include people above 18 years of age with social problems or in danger of developing social problems. Social problems may be, for instance, homelessness, alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness, prostitution, and violence in intimate relations, which lead to a need for support according to the Act on Social Services. The support may be personal and practical help in one’s own home, temporary accommodation at shelters or other temporary accommodation facilities, treatment for drug abuse, an effort to create and maintain contact etc.

The people in the target group are often affected not by one single social problem but by a number of them.

The municipalities are responsible for both preventive measures like counselling etc. and for providing support when needed.

The Ministry collaborates with the National Board of Social Services to provide the Minister and the Danish Parliament with the best possible basis for developing an effective policy regarding socially excluded adults. The policies must assist the municipalities’ efforts to create real progress for the affected citizens.