How to know if a homecare agency is reputable
Published: 01/11/2022
Looking for homecare near you feels like a big task, and one of the first things you will want to know is whether they are reputable or not. But what are the best ways to go about finding this out? Below are some points to get you started on your way to finding the perfect agency for you or your loved one.
Meet with the homecare agency in person
You can tell a lot about an agency by meeting with them and discussing your needs and thoughts about what you need from their service. Are they informative when questioned, and do they seem professional and genuinely interested to learn about the needs of you or your loved one? Do they seem knowledgeable, and offer to introduce you to other members of staff? Ask them what sort of screening process they use when hiring caregivers. All of this will help you gauge a sense of what they are like as a company. Meet with one of our care managers and get a feel for our homecare agency - call 01420 481716 for advice and a free care assessment.
Check their accreditation
Healthcare agencies have accrediting bodies that ensure they meet all the required standards expected in the health and social care industry. The accreditation process ensures they are able to deliver a good level of service to their customers. Although the accrediting bodies all have different processes and requirements, they share the same objective: to make sure people get excellent care from home care agencies. When a company has an accreditations you can be reassured that they are following the industry standards of best practice and are compliant with regulations.
Are they a fully managed service or an introduction agency?
This is an important thing to find out as there is a big difference between the two. A fully managed service means that the carers are employed directly, therefore the agency are fully accountable for the service provided. There should be a care manager, regular reviews, and a quality assurance process. An introduction agency is not dissimilar to a recruitment agency, in that they match the client with the carer, but then the onus is on you to manage the carer and pay them directly. Is this scenario there’s no requirement to do background checks, provide regular training, or carry out reviews. It is worth noting that homecare agencies that don’t offer a managed service are not regulated.
Check their CQC rating
The CQC (Care Quality Commission) are an independent regulator for all health care services in England and are therefore a great starting point when you want to find out if a homecare agency is reputable. They grade companies based on 5 standards, which are as follows;
- Are they safe?
- Are they effective?
- Are they caring?
- Are they responsive to people’s needs?
- Are they well led?
You can go on to their website (www.cqc.org.uk) and search for specific agencies to find out their inspection ratings and see their published inspection reports. The ratings are done on a 4-point scale ranging from inadequate to outstanding, so this will give you a very good idea of the quality of the service they are offering. It is also a really good tool to use when searching for homecare near you. Take a look at the Right at Home Alton & Bordon CQC report.
See what other people are saying about homecare near you
It is well worth checking what other people have said about the care service online. Look at reviews on their website as well as feedback pages and review sites. Check if the service appears trustworthy. Does the service provider state their mission and core values clearly? Is the website updated regularly? Does it give a good sense of the company’s culture? All of these things will give you a good sense of how the company is viewed and the reputation it has gained.
You can also ask family members and friends, as they might have some experience of a homecare agency, or know someone else that does. Another good place to look is the homecare company social media accounts as people will often post comments and recommendations there. If there is a problem with an aspect of the agency then people are quick to talk about it on social media. However, don’t assume all criticism or praise is legitimate, both can be exaggerated so it is worthwhile seeing how the homecare agency responds to the comments.
Meet with one of our care managers and get a feel for our homecare agency - call 01420 481716 for advice and a free care assessment.
Links to related blogs:
Comparing homecare services: What to look for
How to know when your elderly parent needs assistance at home
