Westminster children’s services to test Big Society approach

Wesminster Council’s children’s services will become an arm’s-length mutual organisation as one of 12 flagship projects testing the Big Society approach, the government announced today.

They also include Hammersmith and Fulham children’s services, which will examine new models of delivery with staff, possible commercial partners and neighbouring local authorities.

“This is a Big Society approach, decentralising power so people can deal with the issues that concern them,” Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said. “We must not be afraid to do things differently if we are to provide better services for less money.”

Each pilot will explore different legal forms and methods of employee leadership. They will be mentored by staff from John Lewis, KPMG, Tribal, Sunderland Home Care Associates and Central Surrey Health, one of the first primary care trusts to hive off its district nursing and occupational health staff into a social enterprise company, which contracts services back to the PCT.

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