Micro-Enterprise and Personalisation: What Size Is Good Care?

Shifts to independent delivery of health and social care services have led to increased numbers of micro-enterprises. Could these tiny organisations with just 5 or fewer employees be the best way of delivering cost-effective health and social care services in the context of decreased budgets and increased demands? What size is 'just right' for a care provider?

This book explores size as an independent variable in care services, comparing outcomes and value for money across micro, small, medium and large organisations. Using interviews and surveys with 108 people using services and carers in 27 case-study organisations it focuses on the contribution micro-enterprises can make to the care sector.

Catherine Needham is Professor of Public Policy and Public Management at the University of Birmingham. She is based at the Health Services Management Centre, developing research around social care and new approaches to public service workforce development.

Kerry Allen is a lecturer at the Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham. Her research interests include participatory research and the design and delivery of social care services.

Kelly Hall is a Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Birmingham. Her research interests include health and social care social enterprises and micro enterprises.