Care agency wanted for in-home care - Forest Hill

[soowoo]

Hello,

I hope you can help. I'm seeking a good higher-end private care agency for in-home help in Forest Hill, to include regular short, quiet, weekday 7 a.m. visits, short evening, and longer - but more occasional - weekend help.

Ultimately looking to have the same carer each time (at least weekdays) so that they can learn and remember detailed requirements, given the particular condition (holiday and sickness substitutes accepted of course). Need to be flexible about kind of reasonable jobs performed. And provide phonable references.

This would be about supporting the client to retain independence and ability to go out to work, and in staying fully in charge of her care.

Please provide idea of costs and agency contact details with replies if possible. Happy to pay a bit more for the right service.

Your help is very much appreciated.

[Pugwash]

if you contact your local social services they should be able to give you details of care agencies that take private clients. If there is no personal care involved Age UK have carers. There are several Care Agencies in the SE London area.

Expect to pay from ?13- ?18 per hour dependent on duties. If the person has a Personal Budget from social services, why not hire someone directly and not go via an agency? Many GP surgeries will allow you to advertise on their boards. I have heard of someone who was a former carer for a relative, that when they died, this carer via her GP took on a caring role for an elderly person.

You can look up Personal Budgets on the internet.

[soowoo]

Thank you very much.. Appreciated.

I would like to go direct to the individual carer if I know it's safe and what to look for e.g training/insurance, given the vulnerability here. Looking for something about more than "bog standard" council minimum

[Pugwash]

Try contacting Lewisham Carers ( I think they are still based in Forest Hill) they should be able to give you guidance re training/insurance.etc

All carers need to have manual handling certificate if they are regularly helping people in and out of chairs/beds/hoists. Food Hygiene Certificate if cooking. Dementia Awareness Training (if appropriate). If there are special dietary requirements of cared for - understanding of these. Medication - as to whether they need to prompt medication or assist with it ( this may include insulin injections and eye drops)

Age UK publish leaflets/info sheets on what to look for when employing a carer direct. Even though the cared for person may not be 'old' the info sheets are very informative. You can read them on internet.

Lots of former nurses and health care assistants turn to care work.

If employing a carer direct - you will need to know their NI number and tax details as you effectively become an employer, however there are agencies out their whp will deal with the pay roll side of things

[soowoo]

Again - that is very helpful thank you so much. Sounds like GP surgeries are the place to advertise.

Very best wishes

[pavlovwatkinstfb]

Hey! Have you tried contacting healthcare recruitment agencies? They may be able to help you with your problem and help you find a job. Sorry if I?m not much help. Anyway, good luck!