the case for a co-op approach to social care meeting the needs and aspirations of an ageing...
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The Case for a Co-op approach to Social Care
Meeting the needs and aspirations of an ageing population through ownership and
control
MERVYN EASTMANVice Chair, Positive Ageing in London
Society Secretary, Change Agents Co-operative
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WHAT IS A CO-OPERATIVE ?
THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE ………. 4,800 independent co-operatives in the UK Work in all parts of the economy - from health
and social care to housing, football clubs, farms, retail, credit unions, community shops...etc…etc.
Co-ops are NOT just supermarkets, banks and funeral services!
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Co-operatives are owned by individual members…
Exist to serve their members One member, one vote: owners with equal
say in what the co-operatives does Shape the decisions of their co-operative
Across the UK, Co-operatives are owned by more than 11m people and membership is growing.
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ONE MEMBER, ONE VOTE, ONE MOVEMENT
Principles and values that define a co-operative:Voluntary and open membershipDemocratic controlMember economic participationAutonomy and independenceEducation, training and informationCo-operation among co-operativesConcern for the community
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COMMUNITY BENEFIT
SOLIDARITY
RESPONSIBILITY EQUALITY
HONESTY
OPENNESS
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Co-operation in London 600 London Co-operatives 10,000 employees £800m turnover Promoting co-operation Supporting new co-operative start-ups Uniting the movement
Bringing together worker, housing, consumer and community co-operatives which share co-operative values, promoting, supporting and uniting all sectors of the movement.
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Social Care Co-operatives
Democratic control provides higher levels of involvement and personal empowerment
The Co-operative structure provides a safer environment and closer relations among people
The model encourages interaction between ALL age groups and dependencies
Makes it more possible for older people to remain in their communities
Understood by older members
Non profit structure allows more affordable service
Higher staff retention
Higher quality of care
Pride of OWNERSHIP
Small size can mean more personal levels of care
Higher levels of community involvement
Taken from: John Restarkis, Humanizing the
Economy: Co-operatives in the
age of capital (2008)
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A Co-operative health check Open membership: older person is eligible to become a
member Equal say: All members of a co-operative, staff, users,
community organisations, elected members/commissioners have equal say
Good for learning: Co-operatives have a long tradition of training and development of its members
Independence and autonomy: Co-operatives are not beholden to anybody but its membership
Collaboration: When possible co-operatives collaborate with each other and have a commitment to the community
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Challenges to the Co-op model
Lack of awareness Reluctance to share power Complexities of the Co-operative development
process Capital accumulation and enterprise investment Lack of managerial expertise and confidence Length of contracts Failure to fund new services ( procurement
requirements)
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For Social care co-operatives to develop…
• Specific business support• Clear co-operative and mutual models• Participative governance• Organisational forms that can be recognised in
procurement• Long term commissioning• Taxation constraints overcome• Links to wider Co-operative sector• An openness to user involvement as well as employee
ownership
Bland, J. (2011)