Care co-operatives are organisations that are owned and governed by service users (those receiving care and/or their families/communities) and/or professional carers. They offer an opportunity for older people and their families, and care workers, to work as partners to shape the design and delivery of care services. The co-operative model may help to improve the experience of care recipients and their families/ supporters by giving them a greater say in how care services are delivered.  There is also evidence that professional care workers working in a co-operative may enjoy better pay and conditions, helping to improve recruitment and retention in the sector.

 

This seminar provides an overview of care co-operatives and insights from those who have pioneered co-operative homecare in Ireland and the UK.