Focusing on micro-enterprises employing five people or fewer (in comparison to larger providers), this book considers the relationship between the size and performance of social care providers in England providing person-centered support. It draws on interviews with 143 people in 27 organizations, focusing on those supporting older people and adults with learning disabilities, to examine four claims made by proponents of micro forms of social delivery: that micro-enterprises are more personalized, innovative, cost-effective, and outcomes-oriented than larger organizations. It discusses why size is a relevant frame for performance and innovation in public services, the contribution of new delivery models like social enterprises to public services, what a micro-enterprise is, findings related to the four claims, and why micro-enterprises perform well for these measures, as well as their sustainability. Distributed in North America by University of Chicago Press. Annotation ©2017 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
Social service agencies in the United Kingdom are increasingly under pressure to provide personalized care, even as the larger climate of austerity puts pressure on their resources. Increasingly, this means that community-based organizations of five or fewer staff members—known as microenterprises—are being asked to handle work that was formerly the province of much larger providers. In part, this is rooted in the assumption that small organizations can be more innovative and responsive. This book tests that assumption, analyzing the work of care organizations with a specific focus on size and how it affects personalization and the quality of care.
What size is 'just right' for a care provider? This book explores size as an independent variable in care services, comparing outcomes and value for money across micro, small, medium and large organisations.
