If you want to start a public service mutual, the process to do so is known as ‘spinning out’ of the public sector.
Support is available through the Mutuals Support Programme.
To join the Mutuals Support Programme, you need to apply to the Mutuals Information Service by completing a questionnaire. Check the before you apply.
Spin-out support
This support is for public service professionals who are going through the process of spinning-out into a mutual. It’s tailored to suit each organisation, but typically consultants provide guidance on:
- legal matters
- tax and VAT
- financial planning and modelling
- business case development
- marketing and branding
Training
Mutuals success
This course is for public service professionals who are considering starting a public service mutual (PSM).
It’s a 4-day training programme that:
- provides an overview of the process and technical challenges to spinning out
- develops commercial expertise (including writing business plans)
- gives participants the confidence to engage their parent body and staff throughout the journey
Going for Growth
Going for Growth is a 6-day training course to develop the skills of staff within a newly formed PSM. It lets them:
- operate commercially and grow their business
- win new contracts
- invest in new opportunities
Mutuals ambassadors
The mutuals ambassadors have a diverse range of skills and experience. Some are in the late stages of setting up a mutual or already running one, while others work for organisations assisting those who wish to mutualise.
They work on a voluntary basis without payment and their role involves:
- spending short periods of time with fledgling and developed mutuals to propose recommendations and ideas to help them work through problems
- deploying commercial skills to play a ‘critical friend’ role for those setting up or growing public service mutuals
- encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial thinking, offering feedback on business plans, support in articulating the company vision and in how to ‘sell’ their business
- advocating the mutual model to relevant audiences, as well as through the media as required
- playing a role in gathering evidence and sharing this with stakeholders, including the Cabinet Office who can feed into policy development processes
- encouraging public servants to spin out and connect fledgling projects with Cabinet Office and the Mutuals Support Programme
To get support from a mutuals ambassador email the Mutuals Information Service.