ABSTRACT
Social enterprises in the UK cannot be examined without an historical perspective which shows how the whole third sector evolved. That is why in this chapter we first look at the main traditional components of the social economy as a basis for examining the social enterprises which emerged more recently. Organisations in the UK that might be termed social enterprises (this category is quite large) are then examined; they have quite diverse legal forms, and even within each legal category there is considerable variety. Next the range of sectors where social enterprises are found is looked at. We then go on to examine social enterprises in the welfare sector, looking in particular at some case studies and the role of local government in contracting. Finally, an analysis of some specific features of social enterprises is developed.
