Finding care in your area

Looking for care in your area? Want to know the quality rating of providers you’re considering? Care Choices, publisher of this Directory, has a website providing comprehensive details of care providers as well as essential information.

You can search by postcode, county or region for care homes, care homes with nursing and home care providers that meet your needs across the country.

Your search can be refined by the type of care you are looking for and the results can be sent to you by email. The results can also be saved and emailed to others.

The website includes detailed information for each care provider, including the address, phone number and the service’s latest CQC inspection report and rating (see page 53), indicating the quality of care that is provided.

You can also view an electronic version of this Directory on the site and have it read to you by using the ‘Recite Me’ function. Visit www.carechoices.co.uk

The Care Quality Commission (www.cqc.org.uk) is responsible for checking that any care provided meets essential standards of quality and safety.

Further information is on page 53.

The Homecare Association requires its members to comply with a code of practice. This code includes a commitment to treat customers with dignity and respect and operate at a level above the legal minimum required in legislation.

Social care regulations do not apply to cleaners, handypersons or gardeners. However, some home care agencies are increasingly providing staff who can help meet these needs too.

The benefits of using a regulated agency include:

• assessing your care needs and tailoring a plan to meet those needs;

• advertising, interviewing and screening suitability of workers;

• arranging necessary insurance cover;

• providing training and development for care workers;

• managing workers’ pay, including compliance with the National Minimum Wage;

• managing employment relationships, including sickness, absence and disciplinary matters; and

• managing health and safety issues.