Town's first public service mutual launches

A NEW social enterprise takes its place as a major provider of social care services in Warrington from tomorrow.
In a partnership with the borough council’s adult social care services, a staff-led social enterprise called Catalyst Choices will take over delivery of a number of day and residential services for older people and people with disabilities.
The move protects 317 council jobs along with eight of the council’s in-house care and support services, which support more than 600 service users. The changes will also protect the quality of social care and health services for adults in the town.
Cllr Pat Wright, the council’s lead member, health wellbeing and adult services, said: “It’s a proud day for Warrington as we mark the transfer of our adult social care services to Catalyst Choices.
“This social enterprise project has been many months in the planning, and has been scrutinised by executive board.
“Our service users and their families, along with our employees, have been involved and informed at every step in the journey.
“The creation of this staff-led enterprise is a tribute to everyone who has worked so hard to get us to the launch of Catalyst Choices and I would like to recognise the contribution made by everyone who has worked so hard to ensure we launch a strong, sustainable organisation.
“Our service users will continue to receive the same level of high-quality care from the same care staff and to the same quality standards set nationally and inspected by the Care Quality Commission.”
Staff director Margaret Dandy said she was pleased to join the new organisation at an exciting time.
“I am delighted to be nominated by the staff council as the staff director for Catalyst Choices. We are all very aware that we face a time of great change, however, we are taking with us a committed workforce who will embrace this and work to develop services for the communities we serve”.
David Osborne, managing director for the new social enterprise, said: “After significant work over the past 18 months I am delighted to be in the position to formally launch Catalyst Choices as the first public service mutual in Warrington.
“There has been significant growth in successful social enterprises and mutuals in the UK and I believe passionately that the development of Catalyst Choices represents the best future for our staff service users and their families at a time when public services are increasingly under pressure.
“Our vision is to provide personalised care and support we would be proud to give our own families. I am looking forward to building a strong organisation, one which prides itself on the quality of services it delivers to the people of Warrington both now and into the future”.
Picture: David Osborne, Margaret Dandy and Cllr Pat Wright, ready to launch the new venture.