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The Directory of Care Agencies will be launched later this year. Click here to contact us and request joining details
Domiciliary Care Agencies provide care to people whilst living in their own home. This may include older people; those with mental health problems; children and their families; people with sensory loss; and the physically disabled. Domiciliary Care is provided as an alternative to Residential Care in a Care or Nursing Home, when the care needs can be met in a persons home. The Domiciliary Care sector is currently undergoing rapid growth and reflects the changing border between social and health care.
The services offered by Domiciliary Care Agencies often include help with bodily functions such as feeding, bathing, help with the toilet etc. Also other care involving physical and intimate contact, such as help into and out of the bath, or dressing, can be offered along with non-physical care, such as supervision, motivation and advice regarding these activities.
Any Care Agency that provides personal care for someone living in their own home, has to be registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Each Agency is required to have a person registered for responsibility of the services provided by them. This is often the most senior manager or the owner. Care Agencies should make a guide available to you containing their statement of purpose, aims and objectives, and services offered. Prior to commencing provision of care, the Agency should perform a care needs assessment in the individual's own home. Some examples of points for consideration are well-being, continence, medication requirements, mental health, communication ability, dietary requirements etc.
If you are self-funding the Care Agency should provide you with a written contract containing information such as name, address and telephone number of the Agency; out of hours contact number; fees payable; circumstances under which the service may be cancelled; keyholding; holidays and sickness; rights and responsibilities of each party etc
You may wish to ask the following questions when selecting a Domiciliary Care Agency:
- What training have their staff received?
- Will the same carer attend on a regular basis?
- Are all staff security checked?
- What is their recruitment process?
- Can you meet prospective carers and view their references?
The Directory of Care Agencies will be launched later this year. Click here to contact us and request joining details |
