BUILDING a successful business is an achievement in itself, but taking it to the next level and consolidating your growing reputation relies on careful planning, getting the right people in place and resisting the temptation to sit back on your laurels.
At Home Instead Senior Care East Northants we know that the important things in ensuring you stay in business are your reputation, and doing the things you say you will do. In order to do that, you have to have the right people in the right roles – people you can rely on to uphold your standards and deliver the service you want to deliver.
We are part of a worldwide organisation of some 1,100 offices offering at-home services to elderly and disabled people in North and East Northamptonshire and North Bedfordshire and allowing them to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
Our services range from companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transport to appointments through to personal care and specialist dementia support. Some clients receive one hour of housekeeping help a week, while for others 24-hour specialist dementia support is required. Others may only require help during a family break or respite period.
It’s very important to us that all the support we provide is individually planned for each client, with input always obtained from the client and their families or advocates. We never rush visits as we understand it’s not just about getting the necessary ‘jobs’ done but also that it is important to spend time supporting clients on a social and emotional level as well and that the relationship between our caregivers and the client is a good one.
Since we started the business nine years ago, we have grown steadily year on year, partly due to the reputation we have built up and, of course, due to the fact that elderly people are living longer and wishing to remain independent for as long as they can.
That success has been made possible by the fantastic team we have put together. We now have around 160 caregivers – our front line team out visiting and caring for our clients – and 21 people in our head office who organise the team and ensure we meet the expectations of clients, the Care Quality Commission, and also our national office, Home Instead Senior Care UK Ltd, whose expectations are even higher than those of the regulatory bodies.
It’s not always easy to find the right people, but it is vitally important to do so to protect your reputation, raise your profile and deliver the quality service you expect. Having people who believe in your vision is also key to the growth of the business, and through them we do a lot of work in the community, from networking, events such as providing dementia care advice services at local retail outlets, and going out and talking to community groups, through to our monthly community cafes that provide a place for the elderly to meet others, and enjoy some activities, such as arts and craft.
To find out more about Home Instead East Northants’ services or if you are interested in joining a happy and inspired team call 01933 678775 or look at their website at www.homeinstead.co.uk/eastnorthants
