Transitions: evolving se in the public sector
This is the leading programme supporting the transition of public services to social enterprise in the UK.
It features the most comprehensive written guide for a public-sector worker keen to establish a social enterprise available anywhere, alongside a full programme of training and support.
Transitions outlines the practical steps necessary to create a public-service social enterprise. It is written for the staff of local authorities across the UK. It provides the tools and information needed to take direct control of a service through social enterprise. It explains how the process looks and addresses some of the barriers and challenges that might hinder development. Crucially, it also outlines the steps a council or central government department can take to support the process from the inside.
Transitions meets the gap between central enthusiasm for public service social enterprise and the understanding, commitment and expertise to engage with the process by staff themselves.
Click here to find out more about the latest transitions training courses and click here to download the guide.
Contact Mei Yee Hui for more information on accessing consultancy on mei@sel.org.uk or call 020 7033 2642.
Policy background
Transitions emerges from a period of unprecedented political and community support for the potential of social enterprises to deliver outstanding public services. This brief summary of some of the key policy developments gives a flavour of the pace of change:
- In 2008 the Department for Health established the ‘right to request’, enabling NHS staff to establish social enterprises in order to deliver services previously controlled directly by the state. More info.
- The coalition government, elected in May 2010, has committed to involving community groups in the design and delivery of public services to an unprecedented scale. Its strategy is centred on creating the Big Society, which is covered in detail on the Cabinet Office’s website.
- Major government initiatives include the creation of the Big Society Bank, National Citizen Service pilots, the creation of Community Organisers and a programme of support for the creation of public service mutuals
- Within local authorities, the enthusiasm for social enterprise in the delivery of public services is growing rapidly. For example Lambeth Council recently published a report plans to become a Co-operative Council . SEL CEO Allison Ogden-Newton was a commissioner in the development of the report.
- Some of the best known social enterprises that deliver public services in the UK include GLL , Independent Midwives UK and the City Health Care Partnership , based in Hull.