The ethos and values of the social enterprise model are a catalyst for improving choice, equality and access to services, as well as enabling services to be delivered in an innovative and efficient manner, according to a Department of Health report on the social enterprise model in delivering health and social care services.

The report, Leading the way through social enterprise, is welcomed by sporta's 109 trust members, who deliver health, fitness, leisure and cultural services through the social enterprise model to more than 215 million customers every year.

Mark Crutchley, Chief Executive of South Gloucestershire Leisure, which runs five leisure centres on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council agrees with the report, which states that social enterprises are not seen as being commercially driven and are often seen as more acceptable to both service users and staff.

"The rationales many local authorities use for partnering with leisure trusts are similar to those revealed in the report, specifically an ethos that shares public sector values and does not seek to commercialise," he said. "We tend to enjoy a more positive public perception and are generally more trusted to deliver 'community' outcomes than the private sector."

Some sporta members have already been commissioned to deliver physical activity and health improvement outcomes by their Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). For instance, Halo Leisure, which manages nine sites on behalf of Herefordshire Council, has been commissioned by its PCT to deliver smoking cessation, which will be further developed in 2010/11 to include much wider ill health prevention and health improvement work.

The Department of Health document is part of the Social Enterprise Pathfinder Programme, which was established by the Department of Health in 2006, to better understand social enterprise in health and social care. The programme followed 26 social enterprises and examined what factors appear to be early indicators for success and outlined the challenges in delivering health and social care services.

An evaluation of the programmes over a two year period found that support from GPs and clinicians, Primary Care Trusts and local authorities appeared to be key ingredients for success, alongside strong community links and engagement. The ability to offer a range of services, but with a clear focus on target service users was also an early indicator, as was a clearly articulated social mission and the ability to cope with uncertainty, risks and challenges.

Craig McAteer, Chair of sporta said: "We are engaged by local authorities to deliver their services and as such work closely with councils, Primary Care Trusts and schools to provide physical activity related initiatives such as exercise and play on prescription and cardiac rehabilitation programmes. However, sporta members' status as trusts, separate to the local authorities that we partner with, allows us to use innovative and semi commercial delivery methods without profiting from the commercial gains, as any surplus funds are ploughed back into the local community."

The social enterprise evaluation, which used a mixed methodology (qualitative research, interviews, workshops, focus groups and statistical analysis) highlighted a number of other learning points that could help with the development of social enterprises in health and social care.

A copy of the report 'Leading the way through social enterprise: the Social Enterprise Pathfinder Programme evaluation', which highlights some of the key findings can be downloaded here.