Yet again we hear bad stories about care providers in the news (Left to Starve, 31/01, Fatal Failure, 07/02) and we know that for vulnerable people requiring care services this must be especially frightening, both for them and their loved ones. 

As a care company providing services for elderly people in Sutton, we also find the news upsetting and we don’t want local people to think that all care services are bad or to panic about their own circumstances.

We really want to advise people about what they should be looking for.

All care providers need to be regulated by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.

Their job is to make sure that care provided by hospitals, dentists, ambulances, care homes and services in people’s own homes and elsewhere meets national standards of quality and safety.

It is important to check the inspection reports of a care service which are available for everyone to see on their website cqc.org.uk or it is possible to call or email them for the details.

Another important question to ask is whether the staff employed are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked (previously known as CRB checks) as by law they should be.

There are three types, standard, enhanced and enhanced with list checks. Caregivers with an enhanced lists check is the standard you should ideally be looking for.

Try and make sure that you are introduced to your carer before your service commences and find out what the care entails and how much time will be allocated.

Thankfully as people become more knowledgeable about the care they should receive, the more they will be able to ask the right questions and receive the care they deserve.

Anthony Ward
Home Instead Senior Care
Wallington