Social care charities Choice Support and mcch have announced that they are starting the process of merging as the sector faces “unprecedented financial challenges”.
Both charities will become subsidiaries of a holding company, a newly formed charity called Partnership Support Group (PSG).
The combined organisation will have an annual turnover of £66m, employing 3,000 staff and providing services to 2300 people. It will be the 87th largest charity in the United Kingdom.
Sarah Maguire, current managing director of Choice Support, will be PSG’s chief executive. Steven Rose, currently chief executive of Choice Support, will become chief development and innovation officer. David Hall, interim chief executive of mcch, will retire.
Oliver Mills, chair of mcch, will be PSG’s chair.
Mills said the merger would make the charities more able to navigate “unprecedented financial challenges” facing the social care sector.
He said: “By merging our two charities, which share the same values and strong track records in supporting people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs to live independent lives, we are creating a stronger organisation better equipped to face these challenges.”
Maguire said the merger will allow the organisations to provide “enhanced services to beneficiaries”.
She said: “We’ll become a major new provider in social care, offering support and housing expertise across the country. This is a great opportunity for us to redefine the way we deliver social care.
“We’ll be continuing all the good things that both organisations do currently, while exploring new ways of collaborating with families and commissioners.
“We’ll share best practice from both organisations and encourage more innovation. In time we’ll be able to offer a broader range of services to people we support. It’s an exciting development.”
There are no plans for service closures or cuts to front-line staff as a result of the merger but the charities say they will consult with employees affected by any changes made following the review of operations.
The charities also say they are both "solvent and financially viable".
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