Social Firms UK

Do you need to do a presentation to stakeholders about Social Firms? This presentation is designed to be generic in its application and can be used by anyone wanting to educate and raise awareness about this unique type of business. Updated annually by Social Firms UK you can rest assured that the facts and definitions are correct - just adapt for your purposes!

The spectrum of employment provision for disabled people can be confusing. Social Firms UK has put together this table to explain the difference between sheltered workshops, supported businesses and open supported employment. (NB. Social Firms are set up to provide employment for people severely disadvantaged in the labour market. This includes for example the homeless and ex-substance mis-users etc, not only disabled people. However, this table only refers to disabled people because there is not spectrum of sheltered workshops/supported businesses for other types of severe disadvantage in the labour market.)

Report on the values consultation carried out on the Social Firms sector in 2002.

These criteria outlined in the Values-Based Checklist are intended to: - bring recognition to Social Firms that meet all of the essential values, enabling them to effectively communicate their status within the sector; - assist those groups working towards being Social Firms to understand clearly which elements are important; - assist funders, stakeholders, trustees, carers and those seeking to work within Social Firms, to understand the model more clearly, enabling them to have realistic expectations and support as appropriate; - safeguard the reputation and credibility of the Sector and understanding that Social Firms are good quality businesses and supportive workplaces. This may lead to organisations that neither meet, nor intend to meet, these criteria, to use more appropriate terminology; - assist support agencies e.g.

There is already a wealth of advice and information about general business development in the social enterprise sector.  So 'The Extra Elements: A Social Firm Trainer' has been has been designed purely to fill the gaps specific to setting up and running a Social Firm that they don't cover.  It is therefore a tool that is complimentary to, and should be used alongside, what is already available.  It is split into six parts:

•      Introduction & acknowledgements
• A:  What is a Social Firm?
• B:  How does starting and growing a Social Firm differ from other business development?
• C:  Developing the right organisational structure for a Social Firm
• D:  Raising appropriate start-up funding for a Social Firm
• E:  Developing supplimentary income streams
• F:  Developing a supportive workplace.