Finding a local carer in Wandsworth - looking for advice

[WandsworthConnector]

Hello everyone,

I hope this is the right place to ask. I'm in the early stages of setting up a new service specifically for Wandsworth to help families connect directly with trusted, independent local carers (for all types of care needs, not just elderly care).

The idea is to provide a much more affordable and transparent alternative to the big agencies.

Before I go any further, I wanted to ask this community: have you ever had to look for a carer for a loved one in the area? Was it difficult? What would make the process easier for you?

I've set up a simple placeholder website (findeldercare.co.uk) and a waitlist for anyone who might be interested in being the first to know when it's ready.

Any and all feedback would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much.

I used a similar agency years ago. They were great. They DBSd all the clients, took up their references, kept a register of their mandatory training and CPD - manual lifting, dementia awareness etc.

However they had to be CQC assessed, and as I understand it, had to take on managers to supervise/support the carers. The carers had to do a lot more reporting online back to their managers. We had mixed experience then. Most of the carers we used were great. Some of the supervisors less so. And, of course, costs went up.

Thanks so much, Justmadesourkraut. That is an incredibly insightful story, and you've perfectly described the exact issue we hope to help with.

It sounds like you had a great initial experience connecting with the carers themselves, but then the layers of management and reporting (and the costs that come with them) started to get in the way. That's the core of what we want to solve – making sure families can connect directly with the great carers, without the unnecessary overhead.

Really appreciate you taking the time to share that experience. It's hugely helpful.