Welcome to the playbook
Purpose
This playbook is a roadmap - developed to support local authorities, health services, grassroots groups and individuals who want to bring about a step change in social care.
Although it is available for anyone to read, it is primarily aimed at three groups of people and in the following order:
Directors, commissioners or policymakers for social care services wanting to commission differently and achieve transformative impact for the same cost.
Community groups and collectives wishing to start their own co-operatives in care (find an additional resource here created by Colne Valley Co-op and focussed solely on this audience).
Homecare and residential organisations wanting to shift to a relationship-centred, co-operative model of support (and ownership).
We are sharing the model we have developed in order to expand its use, keep innovating and ultimately contribute to a big, positive shift in people's experience of social care: for people getting support, families and workers alike.
📢 Calling all commissioners and directors of social care services:
Although it will take investment and resources to start this work in your area, it is important to understand that this does not have to cost any more than 'business as usual' caregiving. It is a common misconception that to work in this way is more costly in the long run, but Equal Care is operating quite happily in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, at the same rates as everyone else.
More money is obviously always nice and there's always more that you can do, but to all commissioners and directors exploring this playbook, this support model is cost neutral after the initial investment takes place and before the improvement in outcomes is considered (at which point it starts to save resources).
What's covered
This playbook sets out the unique co-operative model of support developed by Equal Care Co-op since 2018 in Yorkshire and in London via a 2024 pilot exploring the creation of a Care Commons.
Commissioning support: An evaluation framework, sample service specification and cost model to assist in commissioning new service models like this one, together with a discussion on what constitutes 'fertile ground' for co-operative initiatives in your borough.
Technology: This model doesn't play well with existing tech solutions, most of which are driven by management hierarchy and designed with that in mind. Here, you can learn about Equal Care's platform, which is developed to match the ethics, governance and day-to-day ways of working this model needs.
Tools and resources: Templates, checklists, and other tools to help you start, manage, and grow or to help you help others.
Process: Learn about the most effective strategies and methods to begin and sustain a successful social care co-operative, using the caregiving model developed by Equal Care.
About
This playbook was created by Equal Care Co-op, an innovative social care platform co-operative founded to put power back in the hands of the people who matter most: those who give and receive care and support.
The work was funded by a grant provided by LOTI, the London Office of Technology and Innovation. Equal Care worked in close collaboration with Hackney and Southwark Councils to explore new approaches to meeting the increasing social care needs of the UK.
"LOTI funded this project as part of its Innovation Fund, which sought to test radical new service delivery models for care. This project was particularly interesting because it involved a completely different organisational structure through a co-operative model. This strength based, “Care Commons” approach combines the strengths of formal care provision with the power of community networks, unlocking a more relational and personalised service that meets the needs of people needing care. It is also better for those delivering care, focusing on their strengths and granting them the autonomy to provide high-quality, flexible support."
Genta Hajri, Digital Innovation Delivery Lead, LOTI
Find out more about the project here.
Share and Share Alike
This playbook is licensed under the CC BY-SA terms. This means that you are free to remix and adapt the content of this playbook and to use it for commercial purposes. However, uses must attribute the creator and must not impose more restrictive licensing arrangements than this one.
You can use the following citation:
CC BY-SA 4.0 Equal Care Co-op Playbook: play.equal.care
Get in touch
We want to actively support and incubate new circles. If you want to collaborate with us on a project in your area you can contact us at [email protected].
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