AN Oldham company specialising in home-based care for older people, is the only one in Oldham and Tameside rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
It’s the second time Uppermill-based Home Instead, owned by Mick and Jenny Sheehan, have been awarded this accolade by the independent health and adult social care watchdog.
Even more notable is that only three per cent of all care companies receive this much coveted rating once, let alone twice.
Inspectors spoke to clients, relatives of clients and Home Instead staff members before producing their recent report, which stated: “Everyone we talked to, without exception, spoke very highly of the service, its staff and how it was managed.”
The appraisal goes on to say: “We did not receive any negative comments about the company.”
Home Instead, who celebrated a decade of senior service earlier this year, was repeatedly praised for helping older people to live independently.
One caregiver told inspectors: “It’s about the little things, making sure they feel safe, having everything close to hand and making sure it’s how they want to do things. I like them to lead the way.”
Inspectors reported how clients told them ‘staff helped and encouraged them to be as independent as possible’.
“The caregiver will say, you wash and I’ll wipe, when cleaning up in the kitchen, which is great,” said another client.
Home Instead’s caregivers told inspectors ‘they were ‘matched’ with the client they supported and this helped develop genuine friendships.’
Wonderful connections between clients and their caregivers are cited throughout the report.
One client added: “They couldn’t have matched me up with a better person. She’s a gem.
“You’ve no idea how nervous I was in contemplating having this type of service but the moment we met, we both knew it was just right.”
Of the double ‘outstanding’ accreditation, director Mick said: “Jenny and I have always known our team was outstanding.
“But to have that confirmed and now reconfirmed by independent inspectors means an awful lot. We all do this because we genuinely care.
“When we hire someone, the question we ask ourselves is would we trust them to care for our own parents?
“For me the stand out comment of the report came from a client who told inspectors: ‘It’s a very personal service and it seems to be more than just a job to them’.’ That sums up everything about Home Instead.”
For more information about the services provided by Home Instead Senior Care or you would like to join the team, visit their website www.homeinstead.co.uk/oldham-saddleworth or call 01457 874566