{"id":2035,"date":"2012-02-12T00:39:45","date_gmt":"2012-02-12T00:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/realisedevelopment.net\/?p=2035"},"modified":"2012-02-12T00:39:45","modified_gmt":"2012-02-12T00:39:45","slug":"bse-before-social-enterprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/realisedevelopment.net\/index.php\/2012\/02\/12\/bse-before-social-enterprise\/","title":{"rendered":"BSE – Before Social Enterprise"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mike<\/a>Hard to imagine I know, but I was remembering with some old friends the time ‘BSE’, Before Social Enterprise.<\/p>\n

I used to work in what was called a ‘Community\u00a0Home with Education’, similar to an ‘Approved School’. \u00a0A residential home for young men with emotional and behavioural ‘difficulties’. \u00a0When they reached 16 they would have to leave the home and make their own way in the world. \u00a0For many, the next step, after a short spell in the community, would be prison.<\/p>\n

However we worked hard to give them the best chance that we could, and this often\u00a0meant\u00a0trying to find them work, trying to find employers who would give them a chance. \u00a0And, surprisingly it wasn’t as hard as you might think. \u00a0Despite their dubious CVs and frequently a complete lack of qualifications, we could usually find an employer who would give them a chance. \u00a0These were not ‘social enterprises’ set up specifically to provide vocational\u00a0training\u00a0and development for the needy. \u00a0They were good old ‘for profit’ businesses who were more than willing to do their bit. \u00a0This was the time BSE.<\/p>\n

And I don’t think things are that much different now.<\/p>\n

While we have a small number of social enterprises specifically setting out to help particular groups with a step on the employment ladder, I reckon that for every one of these there are probably a hundred or so for profits that work with the same\u00a0client\u00a0group. \u00a0Restaurants and kitchens that employ people struggling with addictions or to stay out of prison. \u00a0Building companies employing ex-offenders. \u00a0 Football clubs giving players with drink driving convictions, anger management problems and occasional inclinations\u00a0to\u00a0racist abuse a second chance.<\/p>\n

I wonder what impact the rise of the\u00a0specialist\u00a0social enterprise might have on the willingness of mainstream for profits to ‘do their bit’. They don’t get the rate rebates, soft loans, grants, PR or additional support of their social enterprise counterparts, so why should they push the boat out.<\/p>\n

Or will they all become ‘social enterprises’ and reap the same rewards?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n