It pays to be a home care worker at award-winning London provider
A LEADING home care provider is on the hunt for more support workers and carers to meet with growing demand – and is offering pay above the London Living Wage. SweetTree Homecare Services, who are based in South Hampstead, London, have been operating across London for more than 20 years helping more than 18,000 people in the capital to live more independently. The impact of both Brexit and Covid had impacted the hiring of new staff, but the award-winning home care provider has been steadily recruiting and is still looking to fill vacancies. The London Living Wage is an hourly rate of pay, currently set at £11.95 and is calculated independently to reflect the high cost of living in the capital, however, SweetTree Care Home offer a minimum of £12 per hour. The current National Living Wage is £10.42 per hour (aged 23 and over), £10.18 (aged 21–22) and £7.49 (18–20). SweetTree Home Care Services is aiming to increase awareness about a career in care with them at Health & Social Care Jobs Live – the UK’s busiest recruitment event dedicated to the health and social care sector run by specialist event company Job Shows – at Westfield Shopping Centre in London on June 16-17. Michelle Palmer, Director of People & Values at SweetTree Care Home, said: “We’re actively recruiting across London to meet demand with our sole aim of continuing to provide a premium service to facilitate more and more people remaining in their own homes with dignity, independence and control over their lives. “Care sector recruitment has been impacted by first Brexit and then Covid but working in care is still one of the most rewarding and flexible jobs ever and we’re keen to speak to any candidates who’re looking to join the profession or return to it. “At SweetTree Homecare Services, we remain an independently-owned provider and we’re delighted to be able offer staff more than the London Living Wage, and empowering our employees with training and support to aid career development. “We’re proud to have been a Sunday Times Best Company to work for and be rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission two years in a row. We’re also very humble after winning five awards at the National Home Care Awards this year.” SweetTree Homecare Services recently attended a general Job Shows event in White City last year and is looking forward to exhibiting at the health and social care industry specific, Health & Social Care Jobs Live, show in June. “We attended the White City event which was our first post-pandemic show and it was really successful for us,” said Palmer. “It was really important for us to meet potential candidates ‘off screen’ in a friendly face-to-face environment. “We were able to do ‘on the spot’ interviews and we filled lots of vacancies. Even months later we heard back from people who were not quite ready to make the move at the time who got back in touch and joined us later on, “The fact Health & Social Care Jobs Live is aimed at specifically health and social care convinced us to sign up to this one too. We’re looking forward to raising awareness about a career in care at SweetTree and speaking to people who have a genuine interest in joining the care sector and making a real difference to people’s lives.” SweetTree won five awards at the National Home Care Awards 2023 including the Grand Prix Golden Award for their outstanding overall performance and services for the past 21 years, the Day Care Expertise Award in recognition of the unique SweetTree Fields Farm which provides day care activities for their clients that promote self-development and independence, Specialist Care Award received by SweetTree’s highly skilled Brain Injury and Neurological Conditions Service team, Infection Control Award in recognition of the company’s highly effective response to the pandemic and Most Outstanding Independent Home Care Provider High Commendation due to their maintained Outstanding CQC rating and shining reviews.
Why your care facility should consider cyber insurance
As our reliance on the digital world increases it is no real wonder that cybercrime is on the increase, and this has been clearly evident in the last few years. For the opportunistic cybercriminal, it’s been a good time to commit cybercrime, as the pandemic forced us to move away from our usual routines and reliable systems, leaving an exploitable gap in our security as we quickly adapted to new ways of working. Between April and June 2021, the ICO reported that there were 2552 data security incidents in the UK with 688 of those related to a cybercrime. The healthcare sector was one of the most affected with 607 data security incidents in total – 108 a direct result of a cyberattack. (More on types of cyber-attack below). The most common attack occurred through email or social media, and accounted for 53% of all attacks on businesses, leading to substantial multi-million pound losses. Healthcare, financial institutions, manufacturing, real estate, and education were the most targeted industries. Whether a big or small-scale event, a cyber-attack is likely to have serious consequences for any business – shutting systems, deleting data, preventing data access or stopping them from trading altogether. Dealing with the fall out of a cyber-attack can be complicated and stressful, not to mention time-consuming and potentially expensive. Types of Cyber-attack Cyber-attacks can take many forms, all engineered to get the victim to disclose information or take action, or to infect systems with malicious software. Phishing, malware attacks and ransomware pose a threat to all businesses. It’s common to think that cyber threats against businesses come from unrelated hackers, cyber-attacks or ransomware and are big events, but sometimes they can be more subtle and come from sources a little closer to home. The four categories that cyber threats against a business typically originate from are insider threats, human error or negligence, external threats and third-party threats. Wherever the threat originates the bottom line is how you to respond. Have you thought about how you would continue to run your care home if you lost access to all your data? You could lose access to client records and supplier data, order information, diary appointments, financial data, your website and more. If you are held to ransom for access to patient files, the financial consequences could be significant. Additionally, you may be affected by reputational damage, which could affect existing relationships and damage future prosperity. You may need to rebuild and replace lost systems or create a new website. And, if a data breach occurred you are likely to face significant fines from the Information Commissioner’s Office. All of the above will require money, time and resources and need to be addressed in a timely manner to help you retain customers, employees, your reputation and may ultimately affect the future of your care facility. Having a comprehensive contingency and business interruption plan in place along with adequate insurance will help you to address and quickly overcome any fallout from a cyber-attack. A robust plan is vital to make sure you meet your legal obligations regarding data breaches and to reassure your customers. The benefits of cyber insurance Cyber insurance is a must for any care home business because it provides you with protection and peace of mind, should the worst happen. It will help against denial of service, which may occur with ransomware, the recovery from computer virus damage, which may have resulted in a significant loss of data, and other data breaches such as the loss of a memory stick or laptop. Getting assistance quickly and from reputable, knowledgeable and reliable sources will be key in ensuring your business can continue to operate with minimal disruption. If your care home holds data on a computer system, even with anti-virus software in place, you can still be vulnerable to a breach. Cyber insurance is relatively inexpensive and will provide you and your business with complete reassurance in the face of a data breach crisis. Every business is different and will have specific needs, so make sure you get advice for your unique situation and requirements. Don’t wait until you have experienced a cyber-attack to put measures in place, be proactive and help protect your care facility now. For information on Cyber Liability Insurance please speak to Barnes Commercial on 01480 272727 or visit their website www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk
Green-Fingered Care Home Residents “Grow Their Own Way””
New Sanctuary Care initiative sees residents reap the rewards of gardening therapy Figure 1 Sanctuary Care Residents Ann Widdowson and Jean Peters Grow Their Own Way A community of care home residents at Sanctuary Care are reaping the rewards of gardening therapy by growing and sowing their own produce, with fruits of their labour so far including tomatoes, courgettes, and cucumbers! Residents with a passion for gardening and cooking have been digging, pruning, and planting as part of a new “Grow Your Own Way” initiative, harvesting fruit and vegetables indoors and out to create delicious meals in collaboration with the care home chefs. The project is the brainchild of the not-for-profit care home provider, which delivers expert nursing, dementia, and residential care across England and Scotland. It aims to empower residents to play an active role in their own care and the running of the home by embracing former pastimes and developing new skills. Its introduction follows research by Sheffield University academic Mike Nolan[1] which found that a sense of continuity, purpose and achievement are key to living an enriched later life. Many studies have also shown that gardening therapy can improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia, encouraging social interaction, and evoking powerful memories[2]. Sarah Clarke-Kuehn, Chief Operating Officer – Sanctuary Care, said: “We are always looking for new ways to enrich the lives of our residents and provide that continuity of living that we need to feel happy and fulfilled as we grow older. We know that the physical and therapeutic benefits of gardening are vast, but tending to crops and watching them also grow fosters a real sense of achievement and purpose. “As many of our residents were keen gardeners before moving into our homes, with Grow Your Own Way, we hope to reignite our residents’ former passions and memories as they work together to plant, harvest, and cook their home-grown ingredients – ensuring they can enjoy the fruits of their labour, of course!” Amongst Sanctuary Care’s horticulture enthusiasts is Ann Widdowson, age 90, who lives at Regent Residential Care Home in Worcester. Ann said: “I like planting seeds and seeing them start to grow. I’ve always done this. During the war I had Scarlett Fever and when I got better, I went to the Isle of Wight and there was a field at the back of our garden where I went to help my Dad to grow things.” Helen Park, Activities Coordinator at Sanctuary Care’s Regent Residential Care Home, commented: “It makes my day to see residents out in the fresh air planting seeds and looking forward to picking produce, which is then used in meals in the home. It truly enriches their lives and gives them such a sense of achievement.” The Grow Your Own Way initiative will run year-round in all 110 Sanctuary Care homes across England and Scotland, with a carefully planned calendar of sowing, planting, and harvesting in place. For more information on how Sanctuary Care works to enrich lives, visit: www.sanctuary-care.co.uk/enriching-lives
Rising through the ranks: Former Kent care home volunteer lands senior role at New Romney home
Lancashire retirement village appoints new manager
A retirement village in the heart of Lancashire has appointed a new manager at its specialist care home for those living with dementia. Hayley Rowson de Vares is the new manager at The Lodge, which is located within Buckshaw Retirement Village in Chorley. The Lodge is designed to support people living with dementia and the challenges they face. The home is renowned for its best practice in dementia care, offering an extremely high level of specialist care throughout every stage of the dementia journey. Hayley Rowson de Vares, a vastly experienced and qualified health and social care manager, joins Buckshaw Retirement Village following a three-decade career where she has managed residential and nursing homes, mental health services and supported housing schemes. She previously was a regional social care manager for a range of complex care services across Liverpool and The Wirral. Her experience and skill set in dementia care has seen Hayley provide training in dementia and end of life care. This has included an invitation to deliver a workshop on advance care planning by The Gold Standards Framework at The Kings Fund in London. Terry Peel, CEO at HICA Group which manages Buckshaw Retirement Village, said: “It’s great to have someone of Hayley’s calibre on board. She is a highly experienced and skilled care professional who will enhance the delivery of care at The Lodge. “The Lodge provides exemplary dementia care and requires a manager that can lead from the front, supporting the team effectively to ensure residents’ unique care needs are met. “Hayley’s insight and unique vision for dementia care will enhance our existing care provision at Buckshaw Retirement Village and develop the services we provide for the residents we support. Welcome to the team, Hayley.” The Lodge consists of four unique communities that embrace best practice in dementia care. Each community offers something a little different. From early-stage dementia care through to 24-hour nursing care for people with dementia and further health and social needs, The Lodge provides comprehensive and all-encompassing support. Hayley Rowson de Vares said: “I am very excited to start my new role as manager at The Lodge and continue to develop the home as a beacon for high quality dementia and end of life care. “We have a wonderful team of talented, dedicated and compassionate carers and wider staff who possess a variety of skills, qualifications and experience that ensure the quality of care residents at The Lodge receive is first rate. “My goal is to continue to enhance the level of care we provide to meet residents’ specific needs in a truly holistic and person-centred way. “The Lodge has the potential to become the industry’s leading provider of exemplary, person-centred dementia services and I’m excited to be part of our journey towards excellence.”
Introducing the new pressalit matrix height and sideways adjustable washbasin
New recruitment event launched in bid to tackle social care staffing crisis
A specialist job events specialist is staging its first ever UK show which is solely dedicated to recruitment in the social care sector. Hosted by pioneering brand Jobshows, Health & Social Care Jobs Live is taking place on June 16-17 at Westfield Shopping Centre in White City, London in a bid to help reduce the unprecedented staff shortages in the social care sector. Social care organisations can book stands which include the full shell scheme, back wall graphics, power, Wi-Fi, a table with cloth, two chairs and two spotlights. Exhibitors will also have their profile and current vacancies added to the event website, their logo listed in a special Health & Social Care Jobs Live Newspaper as well as on all leaflets and posters as well as social media promotion. Staff shortages in social care are even in greater than the NHS with 165,000 vacancies in England – a 52 per cent increase in one year as care homes struggle to recruit and retain staff who could earn more at working at a local supermarket. However, Jobshows aims to provide social care organisations with a tailor-made solution with this new recruitment show. For over a decade, Jobshows has hosted ‘regional’ recruitment exhibitions, heavily frequented by many public sector employers including NHS Trusts, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, councils, colleges, universities and even the British Army. However, Simeon Jackson, event organiser at Health & Social Care Jobs Live, says that in response to a growing number of requests from social care providers, the new show has been set up to serve them exclusively, as well as NHS Trusts. Jackson said: “It’s well documented that social care is vastly under resourced with staff vacancies so upon speaking to lots of providers it was clear that they were crying out for a solution to promote in-house recruitment. “Health and Social Care Live is our first to be totally dedicated to healthcare and we’ve already had a number of social care organisations sign up as they are so desperate to recruit staff. We have an 83 per cent re-booking rate at our regional recruitment shows so we’re expecting this new show to be really successful. “Westfield W12 is considered the UK’s most prestigious shopping destination and has a natural footfall of around 250,000 every Friday and Saturday. By taking the show to the main hub of a busy shopping centre, we take social care providers into the heart of the people, making it even more accessible for job seekers. “Rather than having to buy a ticket and get yourself to Excel London or London Olympia, holding the event at Westfield removes all geographical barriers. We will also have 15,000 pre-registered candidates who will be ready for interview with CV or certificates in hand. “The show will give social care providers the chance to stand out offline, meet thousands of jobseekers face-to-face, create a talent pool, network and share ideas with other health organisations and even interview pre-screened candidates immediately and hire them directly.”
Care Show Organisers Announce New Retirement Living Show, to Take Place in Birmingham This October
CloserStill Media, are excited to announce their latest social care event launch, the Retirement Living Show, taking place on 11-12 October 2023 at the NEC Birmingham. The Retirement Living Show will be a trade show for professionals working in the rapidly growing sector, to come together, network and discuss key topics. From raising finance, finding land, construction, looking at how to market business models to attract clients, understanding legalities, architecture to affordable living. Attendees will hear from retirement living providers, major developers, legal firms, banks, suppliers, and many other experts. The show will include two conference theatres, 16 sessions, and will be free to register and fully CPD accredited. Co-located with the Care Show, by registering for the Retirement Living Show, attendees will gain access to both events incorporating 150 conference sessions and hosting over 200 suppliers in the joint exhibition hall. Michael Corbett, Portfolio Director, Closerstill Media said: “With the care sector ever evolving and learning best practice from other countries, we see the increasing demand of retirement communities in the UK. As a natural extension to our current elderly care offering, within the award-winning Care Show, we believe the Retirement Living Show will invite another community of this amazing industry to share knowledge and experience and improve the lives of every UK resident as we grow older.” Prospective delegates can sign up to receive the latest information and news on the Retirement Living Show by registering their interest at: https://bit.ly/43ZgfTk The CloserStill portfolio includes some of the fastest growing and multi award-winning events, including such as the Care Show, the Occupational Therapy Show, Clinical Pharmacy Congress, The Dentistry Show, The Pharmacy Show and Acute & General Medicine. The Financial Times FT1000 Index has named CloserStill the fastest growing exhibition organiser in Europe. For more information please contact –
Mr Trax Curtain & Blind Solutions
Mr Trax Curtain & Blind Solutions aims to provide a first class service across a wide range of products and bespoke fittings thanks to its two decades of experience, with many previous clients in the care sector. The company was launched in May 2003 as a mobile fitting service and has developed into a full retail operation for south east England with many ranges of curtains, blinds and shutters, as well as specialist tracks and poles for bay and straight windows. Prior to launching Mr Trax, co-owner Douglas Coe worked in various aspects of the furnishings industry giving him an impressive 40 years of experience of working with people to help them to achieve the “look” or “feel” they desire. Mr Trax has a range of NHS compliant fabrics for use in care homes, including ‘blackout’. They can supply and fit a wide range of flame retardant curtains and blinds in various fabrics to be made to your sizes and fitted using heavy duty fittings and rails. Curtains can normally be made and installed within four weeks and blinds in two weeks.Fire retardant blinds on heavy weight systems are readily available and can be manually controlled or electrically operated. They also have antimicrobial options as well all at varying prices all normally available in two-three weeks. Faster times are available on some products. The company is affiliated with Checkatrade where you can see customer reviews, including this recent comment: “Douglas did a fantastic job fitting our shutters and curtain rail. He even fitted an extra rail for us which we had bought ourselves! Friendly and efficient service, plus great looking results. Very pleased – would definitely recommend!” Based in Hailsham, East Sussex and owned and run by Doug and Carol Coe, the firm also provides a number of corded and motorised options for blinds as well as curtains, and offers a comprehensive range of shutters. Doug says: “We stock two ranges of silent gliss corded curtain tracks and two ranges of silent gliss uncorded curtain tracks the fitted prices for which are available on this website. All of the aluminium silent gliss tracks stock can be shaped and fitted into bay windows, as can some of the poles. We also have ready access to many more ranges of both tracks and poles, most of which we can get in one working day. “For more information or to arrange for us to call on you, please contact us and we will arrange to visit you as early as possible, at your convenience and free of charge. We are available to receive calls from 8am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and are able to do installations on Saturdays as well as during the week. “To read more of what our customers say about us please do look us up on Checkatrade: checkatrade.com/mrtrax” Call now to speak to one of our team on 0800 3345114 or 07968 242004, email us at: doug@mrtrax.co.uk
