Hailed as reshaping care in the third sector, Sense has left just six months into the partnership
Sense Scotland has quit its partnership with Enable Scotland.
In April the two care giants joinedto form the Piper Group with a combined income of £61 million.
Now just six months later, Sense Scotland said its trustees would withdraw from the partnership.
However, former MSP Andy Kerr, who was formerly chief executive of Sense Scotland, will remain in post as chief operating officer while Theresa Shearer remains group chief executive.
The move means that both Sense Scotland and Enable Scotland will be separate entities with Enable the only member of the Piper Group.
A spokesperson for Sense Scotland said: “Sense Scotland Trustees, supported by beneficiaries, have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Piper Group.
“Both organisations share common aspirations to provide the best possible care and support for people with disabilities – a vision which has never been in doubt.
“Both boards will work closely together to ensure a smooth and timely withdrawal and wish each other well with future ventures.”
The partnership was hailed as potentially changing the landscape of the third sector in Scotland.
Both charities retained their distinctive brands and missions but the Piper Group shared resources and oversaw back office functions including the IT, HR, learning and development, digital, finance and payroll departments for both charities.
A spokesperson for the Piper Group said: “Enable Scotland and Sense Scotland have been collaborating for more than 18 months, and since the official launch of the Piper Group in April we have already achieved many positive outcomes for our charitable beneficiaries, charities and workforce.
“The Sense Scotland Board has decided to leave the Piper Group. Whilst we are disappointed by this, we will continue to place the interests of the people supported at the heart of everything we do.
“We remain committed to the group structure as the right way to deliver sustainable frontline social care services.
“The Piper Group will continue to work to boost the quality of care and support for disabled people and their families across Scotland."
The partnership took one year to organise and the group estimates it will save £10m across the two charities.
Last year, Enable Scotland had an income of £39.3m while Sense Scotland has an income of £21.6m.
There were no compulsory redundancies caused by the partnership, which has its HQ in Enable Scotland’s' office at Eurocentral.
At the time the group said this could be the first of a series of future partnerships as the new Piper Group was open to other organisations who might wish to join.
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