The Great Shake Up – Sunday Times comment
September 13, 2009
The Sunday Times ( 13th Sepember 2009 ) gives coverage to David Cameron’s plans if elected for radical plans to tackle the dire public finances and transform government – Essex County Councils innovative contracting out of care services is quoted as an example………….relating to the recent formation of Essex Cares. Clearly the model of the Local Authority Trading Company for social care is here to stay and will surely be explored by more and more Councils in ensuring services remain focused and cost effective with reduced corporate overheads. CHS Directors have played a key role in the transformation of services with the recent success of Essex Carex going live. Read more on our website.
Essex Cares formally launched
September 8, 2009
Friday saw the official launch of Essex Cares, in front of an invited guest list including Essex dignitaries, local stakeholder groups, service users and Essex Cares staff. The guest speaker was local Paralympian, Olympic and World gold medallist Danny Crates who gave an inspiring speech. Danny was the perfect choice for such an event epitomising the new company in overcoming the barriers created by disability to achieve his potential through the use of a highly effective and enabling team.
There was a large Essex wide press, TV and Radio presence and I conducted several telephone interviews with, national, care and local government media all interested in the creative use of the legislation that allows Councils to trade through the use of a Local Authority Trading Company.
It was a real day of celebration for both staff and service users who have embraced the new company with open arms. They are proud of what they see as their own company – furthering the notion that this company should have the aspirations of social enterprise to ensure staff and service users are co-owners of their destiny.
Here is just one link, to the Community Care website, to show how the press handled the story www.communitycare.co.uk/112505
The concluding chapter for CHS Directors in the development of Essex Cares involves the recruitment of the permanent Board of Essex Cares with the advert for these posts being published within the next week.
Mike Walsh 7th September