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| Primary purpose Summary Potential benefits Who can use the tool? What resources are needed? Development, ownership and support Social enterprise examples Values-Based Checklist The Values-Based Checklist was developed for the Social Firm sector and outlines the required criteria for being considered as a Social Firms under the three key values of Enterprise, Employment and Empowerment. It was developed in consultation with the Social Firm sector and its need originates from 2002 when members of Social Firms UK opted to take a values approach to the Social Firm model instead of being judged purely on percentage of income through trade and percentage of disabled staff. The Checklist is in a user-friendly format and lists desired and essential criteria with suggestions of evidence to support these criteria. The Values-Based Checklist is now the main tool used for mapping of the sector and forms the basis for the Social Firm accreditation scheme being developed by Social Firms UK for implementation early 2008. The Values-Based Checklist is available in hard copy or PDF from Social Firms UK. It is meant to provide a useful method for those in the Social Firm sector to gauge their own progress and outlines the good practice that Social Firm businesses need to work towards. The criteria outlined form the basis of the Social Firm accreditation scheme and Social Firms UK will support those that genuinely want to become Social Firms in meeting these criteria. The Checklist also helps others that need to understand what Social Firms are, e.g. board directors, staff, funders and other stakeholders.
Potential Limitations
Anybody, though especially useful for those developing Social Firms, financing Social Firms, working in Social Firms or advising Social Firms. Leadership An element of leadership is required if the intention to run a Social Firm is genuine. Proficiencies or skills No specialised skills or prior knowledge of ‘proving and improving’ are necessary Staff time Assuming that the aspiration is to be a Social Firm, the amount of work involved will depend on how many of the criteria are currently unmet. Social Firms UK has tried to save time for those in the sector by providing templates and samples of key documents that are required as evidence for some criteria. Courses, support, and information The Checklist will be embedded into future tools and resources created by Social Firms UK and the Quality Support Manager at Social Firms UK is available to assist those trying to meet the criteria to do so. Development, Ownership and Support Social Firms UK developed the tool, with EQUAL funding as part of the Social Enterprise Partnership Quality & Impact Project. It is available free of charge to anybody that wants it. In 2005 there were 49 Social Firms that met the Values-Based Checklist criteria, including Daily Bread (Cambridge), Recycle-IT!, Yes2Work, Core Arts and Daisies Café.
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