Social firm is the British term for a work integration social enterprise (WISE), a business created to employ people who have a disability or are otherwise disadvantaged in the labour market. Its commercial and production activities are undertaken in the context of a social mission, with profits going back into the company to further its goals. A significant number of the employees of social firms will be people with a disability or disadvantage, including mental health issues.[1] The firms grew out of disillusionment with mainstream businesses, and the failure to recognise or enable everyone's potential. All workers are paid a market-rate wage or salary appropriate to the work. All employees are intended to have the same employment opportunities, rights and obligations.
Social Firms England, which supports the development of the social firm sector in England,[2] suggests that there are two types of social firm, those which provide employment in businesses producing marketable goods and services, and those which work to improve the employability of those they work with.[3]
The original social firms were established well before the term came into use in 1980s. Firms in Europe started to prosper and employ increasing numbers of people with a disability. Schemes, and coordinating organisations, became more established and numerous in the 1990 [4]
Iain Duncan Smith visited Pluss, a social firm in Exeter which makes cushions for wheelchairs and car upholstery, in March 2015. The firm is owned by four councils: Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and is facing potential closure of its manufacturing operations in Exeter and Bridgwater, and rationalisation of corporate services could result in up to 75 redundancies.[5]
Star Social Firmedit
Star Social Firm is an externally validated standard ensuring that a social firm meets a set of quality measures.[6]
^Social Firms England, Types of Social Firms, accessed 26 April 2021
^Grove, B., Harding, A., Freudenberg, M and O’Flynn, D. (1997), Social Firms: New Directions in the Employment, Rehabilitation and Integration of People with Mental Health Problems. London, Pavilion
^"Iain Duncan Smith 'insults' disabled workers at factory facing the axe". Daily Mirror. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
^NEF Consulting, Star Social Firm, accessed 25 April 2021
External linksedit
European Confederation of social firms and co-operatives (CEFEC)
February 15, 2024
social, firm, this, article, relies, excessively, references, primary, sources, please, improve, this, article, adding, secondary, tertiary, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, 2009, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, br. This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Social firm news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Social firm is the British term for a work integration social enterprise WISE a business created to employ people who have a disability or are otherwise disadvantaged in the labour market Its commercial and production activities are undertaken in the context of a social mission with profits going back into the company to further its goals A significant number of the employees of social firms will be people with a disability or disadvantage including mental health issues 1 The firms grew out of disillusionment with mainstream businesses and the failure to recognise or enable everyone s potential All workers are paid a market rate wage or salary appropriate to the work All employees are intended to have the same employment opportunities rights and obligations Social Firms England which supports the development of the social firm sector in England 2 suggests that there are two types of social firm those which provide employment in businesses producing marketable goods and services and those which work to improve the employability of those they work with 3 Contents 1 History 2 Star Social Firm 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory editThe original social firms were established well before the term came into use in 1980s Firms in Europe started to prosper and employ increasing numbers of people with a disability Schemes and coordinating organisations became more established and numerous in the 1990 4 Iain Duncan Smith visited Pluss a social firm in Exeter which makes cushions for wheelchairs and car upholstery in March 2015 The firm is owned by four councils Devon Plymouth Somerset and Torbay and is facing potential closure of its manufacturing operations in Exeter and Bridgwater and rationalisation of corporate services could result in up to 75 redundancies 5 Star Social Firm editStar Social Firm is an externally validated standard ensuring that a social firm meets a set of quality measures 6 See also editSocial enterprise Disability rights Social inclusion Social model of disability Psychiatric rehabilitation Recovery model Social psychiatry RepaNetReferences edit Realise Futures News amp Blog accessed 26 April 2021 Social Firms England accessed 26 April 2021 Social Firms England Types of Social Firms accessed 26 April 2021 Grove B Harding A Freudenberg M and O Flynn D 1997 Social Firms New Directions in the Employment Rehabilitation and Integration of People with Mental Health Problems London Pavilion Iain Duncan Smith insults disabled workers at factory facing the axe Daily Mirror 31 March 2015 Retrieved 1 April 2015 NEF Consulting Star Social Firm accessed 25 April 2021External links editEuropean Confederation of social firms and co operatives CEFEC Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Social firm amp oldid 1019919964, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
