ACCREDITED PROGRAMME · APRIL COHORT NOW OPEN
The accredited programme designed to build strong foundations for social enterprises.
Delivered as the Level 2 Award in Starting and Developing a Social Enterprise, accredited by SFEDI Awards and developed in collaboration with Durham University.
Whether you're developing a new idea or strengthening an existing organisation, this structured programme helps you build the knowledge, clarity and confidence needed for long-term impact.
Developed with
12
Maximum cohort size - by design
6 months
~half a day per month commitment
Applied
Everything built around your own venture
OfQual
Regulated Level 2 qualification
WHO IS THIS FOR
Two types of founder. One programme.
PRE-START FOUNDERS
You have an idea — now you need a plan.
→ You have an idea for social change
→ You want to explore whether it's viable
→ You need help shaping the model
→ You want clarity before launching
EXisting social enterprises
You've started — now you want it to last.
→ Your organisation started quickly
→ You want to strengthen your foundations
→ You want to review your model
→ You want to ensure long-term sustainability
Why this programme exists
Most support leaves founders to figure it out alone.
–– Founders often receive fragmented advice — not always from quality-assured providers
–– Short workshops can introduce ideas but rarely allow time for deeper thinking and application
–– Founders are often required to make complex decisions without the space to think them through properly
–– Working this out alone can lead to missed opportunities, avoidable mistakes and even burnout
This programme was created to offer something different: a structured environment where changemakers can step back, think deeply about these decisions, and build strong foundations for their social enterprise.
"This qualification was built from the real need to bring together the power of entrepreneurship education with knowledge and expertise from third sector organisations. It is grounded in academic expertise but also real-world insight from practitioners, helping to scale-up solutions for the sector."
Professor Jonathan Kimmitt
Project Lead & Smart & Scale Director, Durham University
What you'll cover
Five foundations. Six months. Your venture.
Over six months, participants explore the key decisions required to build a sustainable social enterprise — applying each topic directly to their own venture.
01
Business Model
02
Social Impact
03
Stakeholder Relationships
04
Legal Structures
05
Financial Stability
THE JOURNEY
From uncertainty to a clear foundation.
WHERE MANY PEOPLE START
–– An idea they care about
–– Uncertainty about the model
–– Conflicting advice from different sources
–– Concern about long-term sustainability
–– "Don't know what I don't know"
↓
>
WHERE YOU FINISH
✓ Clear business model
✓ Social impact plan
✓ Suitable legal structure decision
✓ Clearly defined company values
✓ Sustainable financial strategy
✓ Action plan for next stage
✓ Greater confidence in the direction of your social venture
What makes this different
Not another short course.
Typical Support
Topic-specific deep dives
Often all theory or all practice
Focus on learning content
Courses can be too deep or too shallow
Learners left to implement alone
Non-quality-assured provision
Content delivered quickly
This Programme
→ Covers the five key foundations of a social enterprise
→ Combines theory, tools and real-world examples
→ Focus on applying learning to your own venture
→ Balanced exploration of the key topics
→ Guided reflection in a supportive cohort
→ OfQual-regulated qualification at Level 2
→ Time for deep thinking and reflection built in
THE PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
What you'll experience throughout.
→ Small cohort learning — maximum 12 participants
→ One topic per month, averaging half a day per month over six months
→ Materials for self-led learning, including exclusive podcast access
→ Facilitated workshops exploring key topics together
→ The same facilitator from start to finish
→ Practical tools and frameworks to guide your thinking
→ Real examples from social enterprises
→ Time between sessions to apply learning to your venture
→ A supportive environment for reflection and discussion
By the end of the programme, you will not just understand the concepts — you will have applied them to your own social enterprise
What participants say
"I wish I'd done this sooner. I've had lots of 1-2-1 business advice and attended several short courses, which have been great, but this course actually allowed me to learn and build rather than applying quick fixes."
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOUNDER & COURSE GRADUATE
"I loved the practical tools to explain the big topics. I'll be able to use them again and again as my social enterprise grows."
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOUNDER & COURSE GRADUATE
IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?
This programme works best for people who are ready to think deeply.
It may be a good fit if you:
✓ Have an idea for social change and want to explore whether it could become a viable social enterprise
✓ Are already running a social enterprise and want to review and strengthen your foundations
✓ Value structured thinking and want space to reflect on important decisions
✓ Are open to learning alongside a small group of other changemakers
This may not be the right fit if:
X You are looking for a fast-paced "how to start a business quickly" course
X You want a fully self-paced online course with no interaction
X You are not yet ready to spend time reflecting on the foundations of your venture
THE PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
The size is deliberate.
Each cohort is limited to 12 participants to allow meaningful discussion, reflection and personalised support. Participants learn alongside other changemakers who are developing or strengthening their own social enterprises.
The April cohort will be the first national delivery of this programme following two successful programmes in the North East. Once the cohort is full, applications will close.
12
PLACES AVAILABLE
Regulated Level 2 qualification
Not sure where you fit yet? That’s fine.
This qualification sits within a clear progression pathway. If Level 2 feels like the right step, you’re in the right place. If you’re earlier in your journey, Level 1 may be more suitable. If you’re already supporting or advising others, you may want to explore Level 5 instead.
Level 1
Test your idea → Explore a cause you care about and trial a small social action safely and practically.
LEVEL 2
Start and build your organisation → Turn your idea into a structured social enterprise with clear models, impact, and sustainability.
LEVEL 5
Advise and lead others responsibly → Develop the expertise to guide, support, and lead social enterprises with confidence and credibility.
Timeframes
In order to pass the assessment, learners must attend at least 80% of the taught sessions. This programme is predominantly online but has in-person elements.
General Cohort timeline:
Start: Welcome & onboarding
Month 1: Unit 1: Understanding the Impact of a Social Enterprise
Month 2: Unit 2: Developing a Social Enterprise Business Models
Month 3: Unit 3: Managing Stakeholder Relationships
Month 4: Unit 4: Selecting a Legal Structure for a Social Enterprise
Month 5: Unit 5: Understanding the Financing of a Social Enterprise
Month 6: Final session: Pulling it all together
Assessment submissions due: Month 9
Costs
£485 + VAT
This is a nationally recognised, OfQual-regulated Level 2 qualification — not a workshop or short course. For context, comparable accredited programmes typically cost significantly more.
Some participants have secured funding through:
- Local enterprise partnerships or growth hubs
- Employer or organisational training budgets
- Community foundation grants
Not sure if funding is available to you? Get in touch and we'll help you explore your options.
Ready to take the next step?
If this feels right, don't wait.
If this programme feels like the right next step for you or your organisation, we would love to hear from you. Places are limited to 12 participants, so we encourage early applications.
Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8AW
United Kingdom
