Website of the Department of Health

About social enterprises

Social enterprises are organisations that are run along business lines, but where any profits are reinvested into the community or into service developments.

There are a number of different forms of social enterprise, eg, co-operatives, trusts, community interest companies. It is estimated there are at least 55,000 social enterprises in the UK.

Social enterprises involve patients and staff in designing and delivering services, improving quality and tailoring services to meet patients' needs. Many feature partnerships with third sector organisations, such as voluntary and community groups. Third sector organisations can have advantages in terms of better relations with particular groups, expert knowledge in a specific area, or expertise in a specific type of care. Involving patients and third sector organisations in delivering services through social enterprises helps put people in control of their healthcare.

Encouraging social enterprise in health and social care is a key part of the patient led reforms. It offers patients and users a greater choice from a wider selection of convenient, innovative and responsive services.

Social enterprises involve patients and staff in designing and delivering services, improving quality and tailoring services to meet patients' needs