Social enterprises

What is a social enterprise?

“A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”
(Department for Business, Innovation and Skills)

A selection of resources you may not have already seen:

Social enterprise explained: for beginners, wonderers and people with ideas, big and small.

Journal articles

Social enterprises explained. Hughes, R. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 5. 3 (March 2011): 146-147.
Abstract: Characteristics of social enterprise organisations with an analysis of possible effects of their development on services. Case study examples from disadvantaged areas in London and Kent are included.

Is social enterprise the way forward for public services? Jones, C. Nursing Times 107. 4 (February 1, 2011): 12-14.
Abstract: Definition of a social enterprise and its social policy context. The benefits, challenges and consequences for health and social care are discussed with reference to two case examples.

One step beyond healthcare. Care, T. Health Service Journal 120. 6218 (August 5, 2010): 22.
Abstract: The challenges of setting up social enterprises as part of the government public service reforms in health and social care. Staff conditions of service, competition for contracts, funding issues and management skills needed are discussed.

How nurses can use social enterprise to improve services in health care. Dawes, D. Nursing Times 105. 1 (January 13, 2009): 22-25.
Abstract: Definition and concept of social enterprise and its role in nursing. Reasons for setting up an enterprise, the five stages of a project and the risks, obstacles and processes are discussed. Two case studies of social enterprise in primary care are included.