When searching for a new role within the care sector you can be faced with a lot of choice, which may feel overwhelming. So, how do you choose who to work with? Unless you are wanting to work privately, one of the first things to think about is whether the company you are looking to work with is regulated, or not. Being regulated means they are monitored and inspected by the Care Quality Commission in England. These regular inspections ensure that regulated care companies are always meeting requirements for the safety and quality of care that’s provided, and also for the support and training that they provide for their employees.
So, in practical terms, what does this mean for you?
Peace of mind
You can feel safe in the knowledge that you are working for a company that is inspected and held to account against certain standards. Each regulated company will be given a rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which gives an honest appraisal of the care and support provided. Ratings are given against five key areas to determine if a service is safe, caring, effective, responsive and well led. Reports are easily accessed via the CQC and you can view The Good Care Group report HERE. We are incredibly proud to be the only dedicated live-in care provider to be rated ‘Outstanding’ across all five categories – the highest possible rating. If being part of a high performing team excites you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now.
Join a community of care experts
When choosing a provider to work with it’s important to understand how you can access advice and support whilst in placement. The nature of live-in care means that often you will be lone-working. At The Good Care Group we’ve developed close partnerships with many care professionals to ensure our teams can continue to improve health outcomes for our clients.
As part of our team you’ll also be able to draw upon the expertise of our Consultant Admiral Nurse Jane and in-house Occupational Therapist Jackie. They support our clients, their families and our Professional Carers, identifying even the smallest changes that can make a huge difference.
Ongoing supervision and 24/7 support
Unregulated providers will act as an introductory agency. Essentially they will introduce you to a client, the client pays a fee for this and in most cases you then take over managing and delivering their care. In most instances you will be paid directly by the client and treated as a self-employed carer, managing your own cover for holidays or sickness.
With a regulated provider you will have access to robust support systems. You’ll be working with a Care Manager who is local to you. They’ll know you and your client and be on hand to support you in your placement. Through regular supervision they’ll ensure you have everything you need to perform your role to the highest standards.
We also have our Regional Support Assistants who are always at the end of the phone. Whether it’s for the ‘little things’ like booking your travel or sending out more PPE, to offering a listening ear if you’re having a challenging day or guiding you on reporting an incident – we are here for you 24/7.
Providing a fully managed service
The benefit of working with a regulated provider is that they manage the whole process. At The Good Care Group our care experts will assess a client placement before you arrive, write a detailed care plan and carry out any risk assessments. This ensures you have everything you need to provide excellent care.
Quality assured training
It’s also important to consider what training is on offer. Do they provide a thorough induction before you join? Are there opportunities to further develop your skills and knowledge? Is this organised and paid for by the care provider, or is this something you need to do? We are proud to offer our Professional Carers lots of options for their ongoing learning and development. You can find out more about our training HERE.
Still have questions about working with a regulated provider like The Good Care Group? Call our recruitment hotline on 0203 728 7570.
