Social Enterprise Network
This is the home page of the Social Enterprise Network. We also have a resources section which covers social enterprise in health and care.
What is the Social Enterprise Network?
Formed in 2005, the Social Enterprise Network is the only national network for those with an interest in social enterprise and social entrepreneurship in health and care.
The Network has four key audiences:
- existing social enterprises - entering or aiming to enter the health and care market, including the NHS
- potential social enterprises - whether from within or outside the public sector, both clinical and non-clinical
- commissioners - such as primary care trusts, local authorities and practice-based commissioners
- social entrepreneurs and innovators
What is the Network for?
The aims of the Network are:
- to raise awareness and understanding of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise for health and care services
- to promote the commissioning and practical use of social enterprise, in line with Government policy
- to provide practical information, tools and support on social enterprise, including real-life examples and learning, to commissioners and providers
Where does the Network cover?
While it welcomes interest from other countries, the Network's focus is England.
How does the Network operate?
The Network focuses on:
- promotion of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise in health and care services
- supporting, engaging and influencing the work of the Social Enterprise Unit at the Department of Health, the Social Enterprise Coalition and other key agencies, including the Social Enterprise Unit in the Cabinet Office
- development and promotion of sustainable models of commissioning that reflect good corporate citizenship
- ongoing liaison with other main themes in NHS Networks, highlighting issues for social enterprise, and offer social enterprise solutions (including for corporate citizenship)
- providing practical goods and products for the Social Enterprise Network web site, including case studies
While it is supported by the NHS Networks team, the Social Enterprise Network depends on the participation of, and contributions from, its members. It also operates in partnership with the Social Enterprise Unit at the Department of Health and theSocial Enterprise Coalition, as well as linking with a range of other key agencies.
Who is the Network?
Coordinators
- The Coordinator is Chris Dabbs (Chief Executive, Community Health Action Partnership).
- The Deputy Coordinator is Mo Girach (Special Advisor on Social Enterprise for the NHS Alliance)
Members
Members come from within and outside the NHS, including citizens from local communities. They are invited to:
- contribute news, case studies, initiatives, tools and resources, events
- ask questions, give answers, and take part in open discussions
- register your network by theme and geography
- register yourself to receive weekly email updates of all new postings
- tell colleagues
How can I get involved?
For more information, please contact the Network Coordinators: Chris Dabbs, Chief Executive of the Community Health Action Partnership, or Mo Girach, Special Advisor on Social Enterprise for the NHS Alliance.
If you want to join the Network please contact krishna.patel@networks.nhs.uk
You can discuss all aspects of social enterprise within the health sector on the NHS Networks Social Enterprise Discussion Board.