Can I visit my relative at any time?
We encourage our relatives to visit their family members as often as possible, we want our residents to feel as though this is their home. Although there is not a restriction on visiting hours and relatives are welcome at all times, some of our homes do have protected meal times. The reason for protected meal times is to allow our residents time to eat their meal and if required get the support they need from our care workers. Please speak with the Home Manager directly to find out if your relatives home encourages protected meal times.
Do you allow people to bring their own possessions such as furniture?
Within our homes we provide all necessary furniture such as wardrobes, chest of draws, beds and pictures; however, we do encourage people to bring their own belongings should they prefer. For residents suffering from Dementia having objects/furniture they recognise can be of benefit to them and also preserves the homely environment we are determined to provide.
How do you select your Care Staff?
Excellent care starts with excellent care workers. We believe the most important aspect of being a care worker is to be compassionate, caring and considerate. After we have reviewed potential applications we invite successful candidates to a competency based interview were we try to get to know them properly.
Next, we’ll check their career history, verify any qualifications and training, check their references, assess their physical and mental fitness, and make sure they have the right to work in the UK. It is our ambition to have all our care workers NVQ/QCF Level 2 trained in Health and Social Care or working towards. After this comes the vetting procedure known as a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a CRB check).
Some More Frequently Asked Questions
What training do your care staff receive?
Once we have recruited the very best care workers they undertake the New Care Certificate which is a 12 week training program surrounding all aspects of delivering person centred care. On top of this they complete a two week induction process to ensure they settle in to the home and are able to meet the needs of all our residents. Within the induction process they are required to shadow and work alongside an experience care worker to develop their skills.
Our staff are given full support in training for qualifications and developing new skills, meeting with their manager 6 times a year to discuss their Personal Development Plan. The Company has set mandatory training that all employee are required to attend and renew on a regular bases. We hope that our stringent training plan will give all our care workers the key skills they need to provide a high quality service at all times.
What do your Care Workers do?
The top priority for all our employees is to provide a high standard of care to all our residents, we want them to deliver the necessary care whilst maintaining a “home from home” environment. It is important they follow our behaviour lead values and are open and honest, take responsibility for their actions and keep their word.
Our care workers are committed to supporting our residents with personal care, during their meal times and ensuring they are comfortable in their new home. Not only this, we are able to provide companionship to those whose families are not always able to visit on a regular basis. It is our mission to guarantee our residents a sense of belonging and build a community with each of our homes.
As well as our care workers our homes have an Activity Coordinators in place who create a fun and active environment for all our residents. They put all their efforts in to guaranteeing a stimulating home, facilitating activities that meet the needs of our residents. Activities vary day to day, however we have trips out, visitors to the home including musicians, hobby and craft fairs and much more. In addition, we offer libraries of books, games, DVD’s for all to have access to at any time.
To sum up our care workers, they are committed to supporting our residents 24 hours a day.
Do I have to do my own/relatives laundry?
We provide a full laundry service for all our residents ensuring our Housekeepers provide a high standard of service at all times. However, should you wish to take any laundry home to wash that is not a problem, we are able to work however you would like.
In some of our homes we do provide resident washing machines that they can utilise themselves, we hope this encourages are more active way of living.
Will the Social Services pay my fees whilst I am selling my former home?
If apart from your property, your other capital is below the threshold the local authority will support you with the costs during the first twelve weeks of permanent care. Beyond that period any financial help will be charged against the value of your former home and recovered from the eventual sale proceeds.
Do I have to sell my property?
No, the local authority may lend you the money to pay for your care and this will later be charged against your property value. However, they may limit how much they will pay and it could adversely affect your welfare benefit entitlements.
What happens if I move into a care home independently and run out of money?
Once your capital is below the threshold you can seek local authority assistance. However, if the home costs more than the local authority usually pays and won’t reduce its fees you may be required to source an alternative home.