The History of CASA (Care and Share Associates)
CASA
and Sunderland Home Care Associates (SHCA)
Care and Share Associates Ltd (CASA) is a company limited by guarantee and is intrinsically linked with Sunderland Home Care Associates Ltd (SHCA). SHCA now have 220 staff and carrying out around 4,000 hours of care services per week. These figures include South Tyneside Home Care Associates which is a branch of SHCA. For more information, visit www.sunderlandhomecare.co.uk.
The reason for this is that the founder members of SHCA are the Directors of CASA. We believed that we had a good model with SHCA. Systems, policies and procedures have been developed with the workforce over the years that operate very well. With the backing of the elected Board of Directors from SHCA, CASA was born.
We wanted to democratise social care initially across the North-East then further afield. We believe that because the workers in SHCA actually participate in the running of the organisation and get shares in the organisation, that they are committed to it and generally give a better service. Staff turnover is very low and the quality standards and services are very high.
CASA is a company limited by guarantee.
CASA
and North Tyneside Home Care Associates (NTHCA)
The first CASA company was started in North Tyneside. North Tyneside Home Care Associates Ltd (NTHCA) started trading in July 2004. CASA was part of a steering group that wanted to establish a Social Enterprise in North Tyneside. The group was made up of CASA, the Regeneration Team, Social Services and the Employment Service. A grant bid to North Tyneside City Challenge was successful.
The tender documentation went in to Social Services. The bid was successful and North Tyneside Home Care Associates won a contract to provide a Domiciliary Care service. CASA then set up an office and recruited a manager and staff. CRB checks, training etc was completed. All the necessary registrations were also completed.
NTHCA now have 36 staff and carrying out around 900 hours of care services per week. Visit www.northtynesidehomecare.co.uk.
CASA
and Newcastle Home Care Associates (NHCA)
The second CASA company was Newcastle Home Care Associates (NHCA). The funding was secured through Newcastle New Deal for Communities. After the above process was completed the company started trading in December 2005
NHCA employs 38 workers and is doing around 800 hours per week. Visit www.newcastlehomecare.co.uk.
CASA
and Manchester Home Care Associates (MHCA)
The third CASA company is Manchester Home Care Associates (MHCA). The steering group for Manchester comprised the Regeneration Team, Social Services, the Employment Service and representatives from the ERDF.
After having gone through the planning and implementation process, MHCA have secured a contract Manchester City Council's Social Services Department. The manager and office staff were appointed, care staff were recruited and trained and the Service began in early August, 2006. MHCA employs 47 workers and is doing around 1,200 hours per week. Visit www.manchesterhomecare.co.uk.
