Knowledge Hub

SEL Publications

We offer a range of guides for the social enterprise sector, all of which are available in pdf format only.

Voluntary Payment

SEL produces some of the most cutting edge social enterprise publications available anywhere in the world. In order to keep producing them we need to ensure that they earn as much income as possible. However we recognise that social entrepreneurs, particularly those at the start up stage of their business, are often unable to pay as much as the document is worth.

In order to make this document accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their income status, we are inviting you to pay what you can afford, and what you feel the document is worth.

Spin out and deliver

Social Enterprise London

On November 17, 2011, Social Enterprise London launched the second year publication of transitions - Spin Out and Deliver at the Guardian Office, London.

Social enterprise: the future of Britain's libraries?

Matthew Jarratt

SEL and 2020 Public Services Hub - social enterprise as a model for the future of Britain's libraries.

Transitions

Social Enterprise London

Transitions is written for the staff of local authorities and schools. It introduces the process of establishing a social enterprise out of a public service.

Winning With Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise London

How the UK's social enterprises can deliver world-class London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic contracts.

Extended services: ensuring sustainability using the social enterprise model

Lesley Miller, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Catriona Rust and Gustavo Arnaudo

This report examines the extent to which social enterprise is used in schools to deliver extended services. It considers whether, in an age of reduced public spending, social enterprise provides a solid platform for schools to be able to sustain their extended services beyond the current round of public funded support.

Social Enterprise Starting Point Guide

Social Enterprise London

This guide is aimed at social entrepreneurs, by which we mean anyone with an idea for making money and using it to benefit others in some way. The Starting Point Guide offers guidance on what you need to think about when starting out on your journey to set up a social enterprise. Finding business support and advice, legal issues and finance are all covered here to help you become a successful social entrepreneur.

Marketing Your Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise London

The purpose of this guide is to give you an insight into what marketing is, why you must consider it as part of your organisational planning and how you can achieve maximum results for modest efforts. Topics covered include:- context analysis- how marketing fits into your company strategy- the market you're operating in- segmenting, targeting, positioning and more!

Climbing the Ladder

Social Enterprise London

This up-to-the-minute guide edited by top financial journalist Andrew Bibby offers invaluable guidance through the financial puzzle to ensure that your social enterprise thrives! Supported by Triodos Bank, Europe's leading social banking specialist, Climbing the Ladder takes you through the financial steps necessary to make your social enterprise a success.

Social Enterprise in the 3rd Sector

Social Enterprise London

It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate social issues from economic ones; the requirement to increase competitiveness and productivity need not conflict with issues such as social inclusion. Social Enterprise in the Third Sector is an excellent 'next-step' guide, useful for considering the appropriate structure for your organisation.

Social Enterprise Childcare

Social Enterprise London

The issue this booklet seeks to address is where does social enterprise fit in to the changing framework of childcare provision in the UK? The purpose is to help guide those interested in childcare provision to use the social enterprise model effectively. It will guide the reader through the social enterprise model, outline the background to the childcare sector, and make suggestions as to how organisations can take the first steps in using social enterprise.

Keeping it legal - legal forms for social enterprises

Social Enterprise London

Enterprising Healthcare: A Guide for Social Enterprises and PCT Commissioners

Social Enterprise London

This guide provides advice about the processes of procurement for social enterprises and information about the Third Sector for Primary Care Trust commissioners. It represents the culmination of the Enterprising Healthcare project, run by SEL and funded by the Department of Health. Designed to be a "toolkit" for social enterprises and PCT commissioners, the guide offers a detailed study of the policy context and outlines findings that have emerged throughout the project.

A SIMPLE approach to assessing Social Impact in Third Sector Organisations

Social Enterprise London

As opportunities increase for social enterprises to contract with private and public sector organisations, it has become necessary to find ways of translating this positive effect into demonstrable data to support bids, tenders and funding applications. The SIMPLE approach to social impact assessment combines internal strategic review with outcomes based assessment to help managers of socially motivated businesses to visualise where and how they make positive contributions.

Lessons and tips from the 'London Advance' project

Social Enterprise London

London Advance was a programme of work with 36 thirdsector organisations, carried out by Social EnterpriseLondon (SEL), and aimed at catalysing change in the wayvoluntary bodies work. Funded by The City Bridge Trustand concluded in 2008, the programme:• Helped participants to conduct a strategic review, to establishclear individual objectives for organisational development• Delivered intensive strategic leadership and management training,through one-to-one support and classroom-based coaching• Produced this report, to share the knowledge generated by theproject with the third sector and beyond.