When deciding which home care agency to work for, looking for an agency that has received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is really beneficial. Simply put, the CQC inspects five key areas before providing a home care agency with their rating, checking that the service they provide is; safe, well-led, caring, responsive and effective.
Not only does an ‘Outstanding’ rating offer reassurance that an agency is providing the highest quality home care services, ensuring their clients receive the care and support they deserve, but it also gives you an indication of what it would be like to work for a home care agency too. Below we have looked into some of the most notable reasons why it is important to make sure that you find an outstanding home care agency to work for.
Ensure that you’re well looked after
With so many different home care agencies around these days, it is no surprise that they aren’t all made equal. Unfortunately, not all agencies see their carers as individuals and they won’t always treat their team in the right way. When you turn to an ‘Outstanding’ home care agency, you’re much more likely to be treated like a person, rather than just a number. This, in turn, means that you will receive things such as; a competitive pay package, pension scheme and full paid holiday entitlement, so you won’t have to worry about not being properly looked after.
Be rewarded for your hard work and dedication
It isn’t uncommon for CQC inspectors to interview carers and get their honest feedback on how they feel about working for a home care agency. When they receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating, it is likely that carers have nothing but good things to say about an agency and their feedback will often touch upon the benefits associated with their care job. Working for an agency that has received this highest possible rating will provide peace of mind that your continued hard work won’t be overlooked and it will be both appreciated and rewarded.
Receive ongoing training and support
In order for an agency to be considered ‘safe’, their carers need to receive quality and appropriate training, and the CQC will take into consideration all training when rating an agency. Should a home care agency be rated ‘Outstanding’, you can choose to work for them in confidence knowing that you will be given all of the training you need to not only carry out core duties, but also develop your knowledge and skills over time.
For example, here at Beloved, all of our carers will partake in a full training induction prior to going out into the community, regardless of their past experience. They will then do two weeks worth of shadowing whereby they work alongside an experienced carer before they start working independently. Even once this initial training is completed, support will be provided 24/7 to carers should they have any queries or require any assistance. You will never be without the advice and guidance of an expert team when working for Beloved Homecare.
Become part of a close-knit team
During an inspection, the CQC will assess whether a management team is forward-thinking and how well they communicate with their staff. This means that an ‘Outstanding’ home care agency is likely to have a good ethos and values, and ensure that their team is supportive of one another. If a home care agency is also a family-run business, this will often result in them having a family-driven culture too. So, as a new carer, you will be welcomed with open arms and made to feel like part of the team from the outset.
Finding a home care agency in Trafford to work for
Ultimately, it is fair to say that when you’re choosing a home care agency to work for, you should always look for an agency with an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC. You can guarantee that you will thank yourself for taking this rating into consideration when deciding which agency you’re going to start your career in care with.
Here at Beloved Homecare, we are very proud to say that we are the only home care agency in Trafford to have an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC. We are also one of only four providers within Greater Manchester to have four or more ‘Outstanding’ ratings in each of the individual inspected areas too. So, if you’re interested in becoming a carer, we are undeniably one of the best home care agencies to work for. We currently need kind, friendly, strong and reliable carers to help our clients in the Trafford area live independently, and we will gladly discuss our career opportunities with you in more detail.
