Theorising ‘best practice’ for supporting those furthest from the market into work or self-employment in France and England

Bika, Zografia, Locke, Catherine, Orlandi, Caterina M. and Valcke, Benjamin (2025) Theorising ‘best practice’ for supporting those furthest from the market into work or self-employment in France and England. Journal of European Social Policy. ISSN 0958-9287

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Abstract

Mainstream/statutory Micro-Enterprise-and-Employment-Support-Services (MEESS) have delivered poor outcomes for disadvantaged individuals and deprived areas. In contrast, alternative third-sector socially-orientated MEESS show promising results but their well-recognised repertoire of ‘best practice’ remains under-theorised. This study addresses that gap using qualitative data from an innovative MEESS programme in deprived areas of England and France. Drawing on key-informant interviews and client ‘voices’, we explore how and why these alternative MEESS better engage disadvantaged people. Through a process-philosophy and life-course lens, we find that practitioners operate with a strength-building logic – emphasising responsive, place-embedded and long-term support that helps individuals reconnect with their aspirations. Our analysis highlights the importance of relational, tailored support in advancing inclusive enterprise/employment outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	economic inclusion,micro-enterprise and employment support services (meess),social mobility,long-term unemployed,deprived communities,sdg 8 - decent work and economic growth,sdg 10 - reduced inequalities,4* ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/decent_work_and_economic_growth
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Marketing Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Migration Research Network Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	10 Oct 2025 13:32
Last Modified:	03 Nov 2025 17:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100685
DOI:	10.1177/09589287251384936

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