HOME CARE FAQs

As an organisation, it is imperative that staff teams are nurtured, supported and developed throughout their employment in order to be able to provide the best possible service and outcomes for our customers. Training for staff is continuous and covers all key areas that are pertinent to the role. Training also ensures that staff remain knowledgeable in their practice and understand the needs of our people, are able to engage in behaviour support and management, are diverse, adaptive and dynamic in their approach to behaviour support, and ultimately are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our esteemed customers. All staff are trained to up to a QCF Level 3 or are enrolled and working towards this within twelve months of their employment.

For a minimum of eight hours a carer is on hand if required. This option will suit if you don’t require regular support, but feel uncomfortable when left alone throughout the night. Anxieties and sleep deprivation can soon be improved with a sleeping night care professional there to support you. Having that extra night care at home can really help you remain healthy and happy. If assistance is needed more than twice during the night, this will be considered a waking night). The waking night care professional is there at your side as and when you need them for the duration of the night, providing a high level of expert support.

Yes, we do primarily arrange care for people by the hour.

Yes, many of our customers use support from their local authority in the form of direct payments. To claim from your local council, start by arranging a care needs assessment with them. After this your loved one’s liquid (that’s not including their property) assets will be assessed. In England, if they have less than £23,250 they’ll be eligible for government support.

If the need is urgent, we’re able to put care in place in as little as 24 hours. However, usually we’d ask for longer. The more notice our team has to build up a picture of your loved one’s needs, the more likely the carer is to be a good fit. If you require for care to be in place quickly, often we’ll find a carer based solely on experience and then will subsequently put the time in to find a more suitable, long-term match further down the line.

No, we can arrange for temporary care. If you usually care for your loved one, but are going on holiday, or just need a bit of time off, we can provide respite care. Please be aware, our prices vary for those on a temporary arrangement.

When it comes to payments, we try to minimise the stress for everyone involved. Your family pays for care weekly, usually by direct debit. You will only ever pay in arrears, after care has been received.

There are various pieces of nursing equipment you can use that can make caring for you or your loved one at home easier. Usually, the district nursing service will advise on the best specialist equipment for nursing your loved one and providing care at home. They should also be able to organise the supply of these items from NHS stores, although some items may have to be purchased privately.

We understand the importance of continuity for those receiving care. However, the carers we work with are only human, and do require time off. You can expect your primary carer to be with you for most of the time, usually taking one or two weeks off at a time. During this period, we’ll arrange for a respite carer to step in who you will be familiar with.

We understand that a personal carer needs to be a good fit for you to be comfortable with their service. The relationship you develop with your carer is all important, and so we will support and assist your decision to change carers if you need to.

If they’re not British nationals, we’ll make sure their qualifications are up to the same, rigorous standards we have in the UK.

We understand your loved one’s safety is paramount. That’s why we go to great lengths to ensure their carer is someone the whole family can trust. All our staff have full background checks, referencing and certificates to prove they reach the standards you expect.

HSL Care is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the threat of the virus. As you know, this situation is developing all the time as new cases are identified in our communities and our protocols will be adjusted as needed.