TAD - Social Enterprises/Co-operatives in the UK

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Social Enterprises/Co-operatives in the UK

Presented by Dave Ellis: at the Transnational Meeting in Cagliari, Sardegna 29th September 1998

Premise
Social Firms
Characteristics of Social Firms
Definition of a Social Firm (CEFEC)
The Social Enterprise
The Co-operative
Sustainability for Social Firms
Key Problems and Issues
Strengths
Social Firm Development Needs
Individual Social Firm Developments
Examples of Training
Impact of Training
The Social Firms Development Group

Premise

Within the UK the terms of Social Enterprises/non-profit/co-operative are difficult to define, the UK has no definitive 'social enterprises' within the European definition.

(Definition from the European level CEFEC - employment for people with psychiatric difficulties. Other definitions are changing, for example sheltered to supported employment.)

There is a growing movement towards social firms, with approximately 200 in the UK. Currently in the UK there is Horizon projects supporting the development of social firms, providing training, help with marketing skills and how to maximise profits within the social model etc.

In order to support the growth of 'social firms' there is the UK Social Firms Support Group and more information can be found at: http://www.ermis.co.uk/eeig/index.html

EEIG is a form of European Company recognised legally by Europe.

The only other experience is from the Industrial Common Ownership Movement (ICOM). Historically through ICOM the development of food co-operatives, only other type of employees buy-out.

Social Firms

(SENSE European Conference on the Employment and Training of Sensory Impaired and other Disabled People, 23 -24 September 1998.)

At the above conference there was presented a paper around the idea of social firm development, the main points from the presentation are listed below in bullet form.

Characteristics of Social Firms

Supportive setting to learn new skills/work
Retention rather than placement
Has a company name rather than an institutional one
Facilitates positive social relationships
Paid employment
Training specific to job role
Involvement in decision making
Range of job role
Integration is part of the system rather than a goal
Participant status is on the level of worker rather than client or patient

Definition of a Social Firm (CEFEC)

A social firm is a business created for the employment of people with a disability or other disadvantage in the labour market
It is a business which uses its market oriented production of goods and services to pursue its social mission
A significant number of its employees will be people with a disability or to other disadvantaged in the labour market
Every worker is paid a market rate, wage or salary appropriate to the work - whatever the productive capacity
Work opps should be equal between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged. Same employment rights

The Social Enterprise

Any business, which is created for the purposes of promoting the economic and social integration of people whom, are disadvantaged in the labour market. (its activities would include rehabilitation, training, etc., as well as commercial activity)