Care at Home

[Coldicote]

Has anyone experienced the services of Bluebird Care, a national organisation offering people an alternative to residential care? I've only recently heard of it when a leaflet came through my door and it seems to me to offer a much needed service for people who need help and wish to remain in their own home. I wonder why we haven't heard of something like this before - www.bluebirdcare.co.uk

[crisgal]

sorry i haven't but it sounds just what i am looking for for my mum. I'll watch the answers with interest. Unfortunately, there aren't any near us :(

[bednobs]

there are hundreds of agencies who'll come to your house to give care

[Coldicote]

Crisgal, I don't know how you've made your search, but if you add the name of your county or district after 'Bluebird Care' and put it in your pc search box it could come up with your nearest place of contact.
Bednobs, I have neighbours who depend on care at home and I have the impression it's not so easy to find. Perhaps you could name some of the agencies you have in mind

[sasskins]

Care at home has been available for at least a decade. It isn't suitable for all though.

[scraggy55]

I work for Social Services. You should be able to get a comprehensive list of Care Agencies by Contacting your local authority Adult Social Services Department. There will be many Care Agencies in the Borough that you live in. Social Services are not allowed to recommend but they should be able to provide a list of Agencies known to them.

[Coldicote]

Very helpful replies thank you. I notice the Bluebird leaflet says that their trained staff are police-checked, a point to consider and I hope it is strictly correct.

[scraggy55]

Anyone that works for a Care Agency, and even for Social Services has to be CRB checked. However, as I said previously your Local Authority should NOT recommend as, with the best will in the world, errors can occur and if you are privately funding a Carer through one of these Agencies, it is entirely up to you which you choose. The Local Authority have no responsibility if anything goes wrong if it is a private arrangement.

[Coldicote]

Thank you scraggy 55, it's good to hear from someone who knows about these things.

[crisgal]

you have to be so careful though. My friend works as a careworker for a social services approved agency. She is often in tears because of the workload and uncaring attitude from managers. They have so many visits to make in a day, have a small amount of time at each one and not allowed to do so any things that she is asked to do.
In fact she is looking for another job as she spends most of her time worrying about the people she visits, knowing they are not getting the care they need.
it's such a shame as she is a lovely, caring girl, who is made for this type of work.
It has really made me wary of going through social services. Sorry scraggy.

[bednobs]

it would be pointless listing the care agaencies available here, because they will probably be different names than available in your area. Just look in yellow pages under care agencies or nursin agencies

[4getmenot]

There are loads of care companies. I work for one. The best way to try and get any advice and to be able to get contacts for the better ones is by contacting Social Services.

[Coldicote]

Lots of thoughtful comments and advice here. I hadn't expected the extent of interest my original question would give rise to and thank you all.