Vulnerability refers to exposure to a range of possible harms, and the inability to deal with them adequately.

The main factors causing social vulnerability are: lack of access to resources (including information, knowledge, and technology); poor quality of constructed and natural environments; limited access to political power and representation; lack of social networks and connections; minority beliefs and customs; deviant lifestyles; age; gender; race; ill-health, either physical or mental, and disabilities.

The empirical study of the INWORK project has identified various vulnerabilities among the project’s target groups. These can be organised into three core areas: personal, professional and organisational. However, it should be stressed that the results emphasise a particular – and sometimes overlooked – dimension: the emotional structure of the individual.

In summary, the results show that the main needs of our target groups are re-stabilisation and skills development. This can mainly be achieved through work in the following areas:

• confidence-building and self-esteem
• regaining working habits and increasing social skills (e.g. punctuality, perseverance, co-operation, independence)
• professional skills

To be sure, re-stabilisation may involve medical physical and mental issues that require specialised professional care. This is a fundamental reminder of dimensions that may need to be addressed when developing work programs and defining individual objectives and expectations.

For this reason, identifying and understanding whatever specific vulnerabilities apply to our target group is crucial to adapt work integration programmes. Also, one should bear in mind that there certainly are differences among individuals, and these need to be considered when negotiating individual goals. Indeed, the type of intervention to be developed is a function of those differences. Likewise, each individual’s future trajectory is structured by his/her initial condition. This means that while some individuals will be almost ready to enter the labour market, others won’t. Amongst the latter, some will be able to access the labour market provided they are adequately supported; others, however, will have multiple, serious problems, and employment may not be a realistic possibility for them in the short-term.

To sum up, some questions need to be answered:

• How can vulnerabilities be identified?
• What vulnerabilities have been identified?
• How can the intervention programme address macro and micro-level vulnerabilities?
• What measures will be taken if work-based social reintegration fails?