Around 400 staff will transfer to the independent not for profit company which they will own. Aspire will be commissioned by Salford City Council to deliver services for around 800 local residents with substantial and critical needs.
City Mayor Ian Stewart and the council’s cabinet today Tuesday March 24 gave the go ahead to plans which have taken over two years to draw up.
The services involved are specialist day services and centres, respite and short breaks, supported tenancies [where people with learning disabilities are helped to live independently in the community] and adult placement [akin to foster care for adults].
The new employee owned company, will involve people who use the service and staff in deciding how services are run and the future development of the company. It will also be able to bid for grants and contracts to generate income which will be ploughed back into the company and has the potential to create new jobs.
City Mayor Ian Stewart said the move was a way of protecting services for the future and enabling the council to continue delivering services people rely on.
“We have a growing and ageing population in Salford and many adults with complex health and social care needs. But while demand increases, the council’s core funding is being cut,” he said.
“Many of the services we have developed are specialised and unique and our staff expertise in delivering them is invaluable. We cannot see that lost to the city, hence this radical decision which will protect those services, that expertise and people’s jobs.
“From day one it means people will receive the same quality service they are used to from the same staff who will continue working with the same public service ethos.”
