Social Care Community of Practice – 8 December 2021
Social Care Community of Practice (CoP)
The Social Care Community of Practice (CoP) is a series of online meetings and events designed to develop a network of people and enterprises interested in business model innovation involving new models of ownership that empower consumers and workers in social care. Attend our next Social Care CoP meeting.
The Co-operative Life
Following the success of the Action to Empower Roundtable and the first Social Care CoP, this second webinar explored the worker-owned model of ownership, where members are the employees with a stake in deciding how the business is run. We were joined by members of innovative Australian worker-owned home care service, The Co-operative Life (TLC) for their first hand account of how the co-op works.
TLC is an Australian case study where all staff work together to provide the best possible care and support services that improve the quality of life for consumers. In an industry known for its low pay, poor working conditions, and high staff turnover, TLC provides a unique working environment where employees are directly involved in business decisions.
An interactive panel focused this discussion and exchange of ideas about different ownership models in social care, with guests:
- Margaret Ciarka, Regional Director, TLC
- Kseniya Ivanchyk, People & Culture Director, TLC
- Olena Gonzalez Operations & Infrastructure Support Officer, TLC
- Jodie Hampson, Team Leader Sharing Economy, Aged and Carer Services –
- Northwest Region, Uniting
- Paul Sadler, CEO, ACSA
Meeting agenda
1. Welcome and introductions
Melina Morrison – CEO, BCCM
2. Recap from the first webinar – emerging inquiry and FAQs
Gillian McFee, Advisor Social Care, BCCM
3. Interactive Panel facilitated by Gillian McFee, Advisor Social Care, BCCM
- Margaret Ciarka, Regional Director, TLC
- Kseniya Ivanchyk, People & Culture Director, TLC
- Olena Gonzalez Operations & Infrastructure Support Officer, TLC
- Jodie Hampson, Team Leader Sharing Economy, Aged and Carer Services –
- Northwest Region, Uniting
- Paul Sadler, CEO, ACSA
4. Q & A
Moderated by Melina Morrison, CEO, BCCM
5. Close and outline of next CoP in February 2022
Melina Morrison, CEO, BCCM
About the Social Care Community of Practice
The Social Care Community of Practice (CoP) is a series of online meetings and events designed to develop a network of people and enterprises interested in business model innovation involving new models of ownership that empower consumers and workers in social care.
These collaborative meetings enable the sharing of information and resources about co-operatives and mutual enterprises fostering a spirit of self-help and innovation in social care. Being part of the CoP is an opportunity to learn from other co-operatives and mutuals both in Australia and overseas.
Emerging from the Action to Empower Report and Roundtable held on 25 August 2021 the CoP is designed as a place for sharing ideas and learning from co-op experts about how the co-operative and mutual business model can help transform social care services.
Terms of Reference
- The purpose of the Social Care Community of Practice (CoP) is to develop a community of practitioners to share knowledge, learnings, and experiences about how to establish co-operatives and mutual enterprises in social care.
- Social Care CoP members will consist of people who are interested in knowing more about co-operatives and mutuals and understanding how this business model can apply either to existing enterprises or start-ups.
- The Social Care CoP will start as a self-help initiative based on open sharing of ideas and knowledge. As commitment grows, and as resources become available, the aim is for this to evolve to foster deeper learning and application through the establishment of a Mutual Support Program for some targeted innovation projects in thin markets.
- Social Care CoP members should ensure regular representation at the CoP meetings.
- BCCM will provide a secretariat function for the Social Care CoP.
- BCCM will invite practitioners to join the Social Care CoP based on a registration of interest.
- BCCM members may request to join the CoP.
- Following two introductory sessions led by BCCM, the CoP will co-design a program of meetings and/or events that will be promoted by BCCM and members of the CoP.
- BCCM commits to organising three free CoP meetings annually with an agenda circulated prior to the meeting. Other events will be held on a cost-recovery basis reflecting the shared interests of the CoP.
- Discussions and sharing of information will be done under the Chatham House Rule.
Join the Community of Practice
Browse our upcoming Social Care Community of Practice dates.
Please email Nicole Vlakic to apply to join the Social Care Community of Practice.
Related events and education
Browse our Community of Practice meetings, education sessions and local roadshows.
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