With funding pressures threatening closure for many providers, and forcing others to hand back contracts to their local authority, local provider Homecare4U has been doing what it can to help – by taking on at-risk care packages or, in some cases, buying providers outright.
The UK’s adult social care sector is facing major financial challenges this year, as government funding has not risen in line with increases to employer national insurance and minimum wage.
This has put many care providers at risk, with independent providers across the sector forced to carry an additional £2.8 billion in costs over the course of this financial year.
These pressures present a looming crisis for the hundreds of thousands of vulnerable and older people across the UK who rely on social care – including approximately 60,000 people in the West Midlands, according to the latest figures [1].
In response to this crisis, Homecare4U, which has four branches across the West Midlands and North West, is stepping in to help – providing continuity of care for vulnerable people whose care provision is at risk, whilst also keeping local carers in employment.
This means people continue to receive the care they rely on without disruption, carers stay in work, and families avoid the stress of an emergency handover.
Samantha Westwood, a Registered Manager for Homecare4U in the Black Country & Worcestershire area, said:“This is an incredibly difficult time for the care sector, putting many vital care services at risk.
“At Homecare4U we’re committed to protecting vulnerable people from these pressures – ensuring people across the local community have access to high-quality, preventative care, from carers they have grown attached to, in their own homes where they feel safest.
“We’ve recently taken on a number of care packages and care professionals that had been handed back to the local authority – ensuring that vulnerable and older people get the continuity of care which is so vital for their wellbeing.
“We’re also offering to buy care providers who can no longer sustain their customer-base – keeping their staff in employment, and providing a guarantee of continuity of care for customers: something which is vital for their wellbeing. Throughout these transfers, our focus is on smooth transitions, customer wellbeing, and continuing to deliver outstanding care quality.”
As well as removing stress for those receiving care, Homecare4U also works hard to ease transitions for care workers moving over from a previous provider: keeping them in employment, enabling them to continue caring for the customers they have grown attached to, and protecting them from the strain of having to apply for new jobs.
This also applies in the case of migrant workers already in the UK on a VISA sponsorship: Homecare4U is able to take these workers on with no change in sponsorship, avoiding large fees or delays resuming work.
The Government recently introduced a £16 million Displaced Worker Fund to help local councils secure alternative employment for migrant workers, due to the high number of care providers that have recently lost their sponsorship licence – with 39,000 care workers across the UK affected since October 2020. Homecare4U collaborates with initiatives such as these to help the care sector hold onto experienced care professionals, especially where it will strengthen the workforce and improve care delivery.
Michael, the husband of Marilyn Cochrane of Kingswinford, whose care was transferred to HomeCare4U in 2017, said: “Homecare4U have done an outstanding job for Marilyn. We were worried the transition might be tough and increase Marilyn’s anxiety – but Samantha and the team made the transfer completely seamless. Marilyn has continued to receive care from the carer she knew and loved, with the added bonus of Homecare4U’s obvious focus on training, quality, prevention and communication with family members. We’re incredibly grateful to them.”
Rachael Priest, a care worker who transferred to Homecare4U in 2015, said:“Homecare4U is an incredible employer. Since Day 1, they’ve protected and respected my relationships with existing clients, while also investing in my personal development, training and wellbeing – allowing me to really thrive in my work. I love working for them.”
Samantha Westwood, Registered Manager Homecare4U, added: “Care is such a vital sector for so many people: most of us will have some experience relating to social care, whether it involved a family member, loved one – or whether we’ve relied on care ourselves. What matters to us is that the people who need it most continue to receive great care, regardless of external pressures or circumstances. We’re glad to be doing our bit to help.
“If you’re worried about continuity of care for a loved one – or if you’re looking to sell your care business –get in touch. We can help to remove the stress from this process, making sure no one goes without the care they need.”
Owners of local care businesses who are looking for support or to sell their business can contact Ben Patrick, a manager at Homecare4U, on ben.patrick@homecare4u.uk.
Family members who are worried about continuity of care for a loved one can also contact Ben Patrick for help.
[1] Adult social care in England, monthly statistics: March 2024