Size matters says Big Society research
NEW research from Manchester Metropolitan University and Co-operatives UK reveals “significant barriers” to the success of David Cameron’s Big Society policy in a key area of social and health care.
The research examined services for personal budget holders – a key government policy that gives individuals in receipt of care some control over who provides their services – and explores the opportunities for smaller co-operatives and mutuals as service providers.
The report, Personalisation of Social Care and Health – a Co-operative Solution, shows that although small, local providers can give a high quality, responsive service but they struggle to get on a local authority’s ‘preferred providers list’.
Jenny Fisher, senior lecturer in social care and communities at Manchester Metropolitan University said: “These co-operatives exemplify a Big Society approach to care, involving local staff and service users directly in the running of the organisations.
“However, the commissioning process, the need to demonstrate a track record and a low level of understanding amongst local authority staff of the value of co-operatives all contribute to a very difficult time for these relatively new care providers.”
Chris Bailey, a member of co-operative social care provider Sunshine Care in Rochdale, said: “We are a group of home care workers who used to work for the local authority. We set up Sunshine Care to provide a more personal service, but now we find ourselves running into problems as our size and short track record as a co operative mean the local authority doesn’t tell service users about us.
“We don’t know of a single local organisation on our local authority’s preferred provider list.”
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK said: “This research demonstrates strong anecdotal evidence that co-operatives provide benefits over and above delivering a service, for example in strengthening the local economy and making the most of contributions from service users and their families.
“This research shows a gap between policy and practice that needs addressing if the government’s vision for co-operative and mutual provision of services is to be realised.”
The research was carried out by Manchester Metropolitan University as a placement with Co-operatives UK and Cobbetts, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council under a Business Engagement Opportunities project. See the full report here: http://www.uk.coop/resources/documents/personalisation-social-care-and-health-co-operative-solution
