Carers/Care Givers....what makes a great Care Company to work for?

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So needing a care company for family member. But noticed lately there are soooo many jobs being advertised for Carers. Are carers leaving the profession or are there just lots of jobs available.

Wondering what I should be looking for in a good care company

As a carer in the past (left to raise children)

You should avoid the companies with a high staff turnover, so anything that has had a lot of vacancies over the last 12 months. Staff normally leave when they are under too much pressure, asked to work ridiculous overtime on top of 13 hour shifts (having to work a day, a night and a day all in a row with no rest between was not all that unusual), or when the company puts so few staff on a shift that you don't feel you can care for the residents properly.

Look for companies that pay staff travel time between calls if it's not a residential home you are looking at

If you are looking for residential make sure you pick one where you see plenty of staff around who seem to have the time to just spend time and talk with residents - this is important. If you see residents with dementia looking upset that's normal but are they being comforted? Ignoring is no good.

As with most things you get what you pay for. I’ve used 4 now for myself the larger chain was far worse for turnover. Stressed staff and messing around with time slots. No agency has every paid staff for travel time even though they should. This isn’t something will tell you if ask, but staff so complain about it once you get to know them. You can check local agencies QCC reports from their oftsted like company. This can give you some clues.

Worth asking local recommendations it’s usually the management that set the tone. You can ask for care assessment where they come and met you and the person who needs care and discuss what you may need and hours. Gives you chance ask questions about how things work and test your gut.

You can always move on if you are not happy

Missed out important part! Find out what things they are happy to do. I’ve had some agencies that “can’t cook” only will heat up a ready meal. Others happy cook anything. Another would put a wash on but refuse empty the machine.

See what attitude is to request someone must like a cat, or be non smoker or not wear strong perfume. All good clues if they will be able to do what ask in a positive helpful way over a do as little as can get away with.

Thank you

Care has always had very high turn over. Its a physically, mentally and financially draining vocation. Those that work long term are made of an impossible combination of steel and cotton wool and quite frankly you need to be able to afford to work there. You earn more stacking shelves. No one does it for the money.

If you are wondering why there are more vacancies at the moment its because we have been through a pandemic. Many teams have been working on reduced teams for c. a year due to shielding/furlough of other team members with health conditions, and even though thats over it still takes a long time to recover from over working yourself like that.

I know lots of incredible carers who have reduced their hours or taken a break. Lots of carers also switched homes because to work in the home where you have lost half your residents and gone through such trauma is quite difficult. Many have gone to other homes and then left care shortly after because in a way everyone is still shell shocked.

So I wouldn't be too concerned about companies advertising jobs or the staff turnover.

And also the size of the company; during the pandemic their were many advantages (ppe availability) due to being part of a big organisation compared to small companies. Though some small companies were very professional and resourceful - I know where I would rather be.

The only way to really tell is to meet them, see them work, and get a general feel.

Goodluck