What questions should I ask a homecare provider?
The following questions may help you select a suitable service. You may want to choose two or three that are particularly important to you:
- Can you provide the care that I need and meet my personal preferences?
- How will you and your staff respect my privacy and dignity?
- Have you cared for someone with similar needs to mine?
- How will you match the most suitable careworker for my needs?
- Is your organisation a member of UKHCA, committed to complying with the UKHCA Code of Practice?
- Are you required to register with a statutory regulator and if so, are you currently registered?
- Is your organisation insured in order to protect my safety and interests?
- Do you interview all your care workers before offering them work?
- Do you obtain at least two written references from your careworkers' previous employers?
- Do all your careworkers undergo a criminal record disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (in England and Wales) or Disclosure Scotland (in Scotland) or Access NI (in Northern Ireland)?
- What sort of training do your careworkers receive before they start work and during their employment?
- What proportion of your careworkers and managers have obtained a recognised qualification in health and social care or management?
- If my care isn't provided by a local council, do you have a standard contract that I can read before signing?
- Can I contact your agency during the day, outside office hours and in an emergency?
- What happens if my regular careworker is sick or on holiday?
- What charges, if any, will I be expected to pay?
- What payment methods are available (cheque, direct debit etc)?
- Is there a minimum charge if I only need a small amount of care?
- Are there any hidden extras in the prices you quote? (Prices normally include National Insurance contributions, travel expenses and any VAT payable.)
