A social work team has left Lambeth to work independently as a social enterprise under the Co-operative Council model.
The TOPAZ service (Team Offering People Advice & Support) has been operating at Lambeth Council since November 2009 and helps adults who are not receiving social care services.
But this week it was launched as a new social enterprise, and will be run independently by its team members.
Councillor Jim Dickson, the council’s cabinet member for health, said the TOPAZ Social Work Community Interest Company is one the first examples of the Co-operative Council in reality.
He said: "Social workers themselves came up with the idea of finding innovative ways to support people who do not meet the eligibility criteria for care, but want to live independently in their communities. This new venture will do just that."
Dee Kemp, a social worker Lambeth since 2008 is the director of the new social enterprise and will be managing the team.
She said: "It will improve services because people will have better knowledge of what’s available and more of a say in the services they receive.
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