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

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!

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.

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

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

SOLIDARITY

RESPONSIBILITY EQUALITY

HONESTY

OPENNESS

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.

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)

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

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)

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)

Thank you

Mervyn Eastman mervyn.changeagent@gmail.com