Background
This toolkit tells the story of why and how Co-operative Care Colne Valley (CCCV) was set up. We have recorded ‘how we did it’ in the hope that this will help communities that want to set up their own care co-operatives. We do not claim to have all the answers, but we can learn from what went wrong as well as what works. At the time of writing (December 2020) this is a work in progress and some chapters are yet to be finished. We welcome your ideas and feedback about this toolkit, and ideas for other information that would be useful
About Co-operative Care Colne Valley
CCCV was established by a group of local people in West Yorkshire who wanted to provide better community care. We have a range of backgrounds, skills and expertise. We first started meeting in 2018 and plan to be providing care from January 2021. Our original plans were delayed by the outbreak of Covid-19 in early 2020. However we were able to pivot to operating as an ‘anchor’ organisation supporting local mutual aid groups and food banks to assist people who needed extra help. This demonstrates the advantage of our community focus. As our concept and structure are innovative, we have been supported by Power to Change to provide resources to support similar initiatives in other areas. As well as the toolkit we have (and will) run webinars and want to bring all the learning together at an event in July. We are also considering what type of federated structures or shared back office services would be beneficial to care co-operatives.
Have a look at our project programme.
To be kept informed of our work please complete our contact form.
Toolkit contents
Co-operating to Care
This chapter is a comprehensive introduction to why the current social care system is broken and how co-operative approaches provide a better alternative. Drawing on international best practice it explains our approach and how it can offer more holistic solutions to not only meet needs but also support wishes and aspirations of those who need care as valued members of the community.
Community Care Services
In this chapter we set out how our philosophy of care translates into services with practical examples. It explains the ‘Community Care Store’ model that can link paid staff and community support to provide support across the varied dimensions of people’s lives.
Getting Together
A successful care co-operative needs a range of expertise. This chapter sets out the skills required and how to build a team with a shared vision and mission.
Getting Care Professionals on board
You will need to have people with professional care experience in order to meet the requirements for registration with the Care Quality Commission (legally required before you can provide care services). This chapter shares some ideas about how to do this.
Finding Funding for your Care Co-operative
Although once established a care co-operative will generate income through charges you will need some funds to enable you to progress to the registration stage. This chapter gives information and links to potential funders.
Getting Organised
This chapter looks at how the co-operative manages itself. It includes how to choose a legal structure, constitution and rules, roles and responsibilities, communications and decision making.
Getting the News Out
Ideas for marketing and communications to ensure that different audiences (e.g. local commissioners, families of older people) are aware of your co-operative.
Towards CQC Registration
This is chapter introduces the main principles, expectations and guidelines which all groups what might want to set up as their own care co-op need understand and follow to achieve the registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Ethical Procurement
We are gradually looking at developing systems which will ensure our ethical and enviromentally aware principles are put in practice effectively. We are co-developing those with staff and basing them on key principles agreed at the board level.
Forthcoming chapters and resources
Our journey so far has already shown us that it would be useful to cover other topics and we are planning further chapters about
- our Community Share offer and business planning
- further steps in connection to CQC registration
- overview of our cooperation with Holme Valley steering group
and more!
Acknowledgements
Getting to where we are now has involved many people and organisations and we would like to thank them. They include all those who have been on the co-operative management board, and local people who attended consultation events and shared ideas on care services. Power to Change have supported us with money and expertise via their Bright Ideas scheme, and are supporting this Sharing Care project. Kirklees Council has been crucial - not just through funding but through believing in us and providing us with talented and dedicated staff on secondment.