Developing Social Care Micro Markets

Added: 20/07/2010
Updated: 23/06/2011

Market development is a key part of ensuring real choice and achieving locally personalised services. Micro market providers (five staff or less) are a vital part of a diverse local market and a priority because, due to increasing barriers, numbers will continue to decrease without proactive intervention. This project is supporting seven local authorities in the East Midlands to increase the number of micro providers in their area. The local authorities are:

  • Derby City Council
  • Derbyshire Council
  • Leicester City Council
  • Leicestershire County Council
  • Lincolnshire Council
  • Nottingham City Council
  • Nottinghamshire County Council

In order to identify the most successful ways to support the development of micro markets, the Department of Health (DH) funded a three year project, managed by NAAPS UK (opens new window). They published a report (available as key messages, concise and detailed versions) on early learning from this.

The East Midlands local authorities are all been supported by Community Catalysts (social enterprise arm of NAAPS) to develop and implement their local micro market strategies and targets. They have each recruited to micro provider co-ordinator posts and have multi agency steering groups in place to drive the work of these roles. The work will include exploration of cost effective options to meet specific needs, such as supporting people with learning disabilities and mental ill health into employment and supported living, as well as a quality marking system proportionate and appropriate for small providers.

The projects are running between 2010 and 2011 with early learning to be shared in February 2011.