Finding a Care Provider

If you’re new to the business of finding a care provider – whether it’s residential care for an elderly person or finding extra help so a family member can stay living in their own home – here are a few pointers:

What type of care are you looking for?

Here is a guide to the various different types of care provision provided by our members, with the icons used in our member search section.

Children and young people's care

Care provision for children and young people in either a domicillary or residential setting.

Dementia care

Care provision for dementa sufferers in either a domicillary or residential setting.

Domiciliary/supported living care

Care to enable someone to live with help in their own home.
Contact your local council’s Social Services department for an assessment of needs – from cleaning and help with washing or dressing to medical help. Note: Getting an assessment is a useful step whatever the type of care you’re looking for. It will pinpoint specific needs and services which can help you identify a care provider.

Education and training

Training companies who provide training for providers withing the health and social care.

Extra care

Accommodation with care support for people who prefer to live independently

Hospice care

Care provision for the terminally ill.

Learning disability care

Care provision for people with learning disabilities

Mental health care

Care provision for people with mental health problems.

Nursing care

Nursing care provision for people with nursing requirements.

Physical disability care

Care provision for people with physical disabilities.

Residential care for adults or children

Managed care facilities staffed either by qualified care workers or social workers
Contact your council’s Social Services for a needs assessment and to find out if a person is entitled to state help in paying for their care. It will be able to provide a list of council-funded care homes – or find a list of private residential care providers using our search tool here.

Funding – where do I start?

Most people will be expected to pay towards the costs of their accommodation and personal care in a care home from their income and capital if they have more than £22,000 in the bank (*April 2008 figure for residents in Wale; source Age Concern Cymru, fact sheet 10).
It’s a complex area and some sources of assistance are not means tested – and can sometimes meet the full cost of a care home (for example if needs are health-based).
Take advice from Help the Aged and Age Concern Cymru, and make sure your needs have been properly assessed by Social Services.

Who’s who in the care sector

CSSIW (The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales)

www.cssiw.org.uk

01443 848450
Welsh Assembly Government department which regulates and inspects care homes (and services for children) and agencies across Wales. It also inspects Social Services departments in Wales’ 22 local authorities.
Find the latest inspection report for you chosen care home or care service via its website.

Help the Aged and Age Concern Cymru

www.helptheaged.org.uk
www.accymru.org.uk
029 2043 1555
Age Concern Cymru specific help lines:
First Stop Line (advice on housing and care) 0800 377 7070
Age Concern Information Line (general enquiries) 0800 00 99 66

Since April 2009, these two organisations have been working together as a single charity to help older people in Wales.
Both websites offer a number of very useful fact sheets on topics including paying for your care home, care at home and sheltered housing.

Social Services

Contact your local council and ask to be put through to the Social Services department
Your first port of call when a family member needs help. It can advise on whether a person will receive state help in funding care, having first carried out an assessment of their needs. Get a written copy of the assessment for future reference.

Care Forum Wales

www.careforumwales.org
Tel: 01978 755400
We work to promote standards in the private care sector and can provide a list of private care providers

I’ve chosen a facility and have arranged a visit. What questions should I ask?

• Ask to see a copy of the provider’s latest inspection report by CSSIW

• Ask about staff qualifications – at least half of all care staff should have NVQ qualifications in health and social care (but 70 per cent would be better)

• Find out about the turnover of staff – a high turnover could indicate the facility is not as well-run as it could be

• Examine health and safety and first aid training certificates that staff hold. There should be clearly displayed policies and procedures for staff and there should be evidence that risk assessments are regularly undertaken. Staffing ratios are important. A minimum of one full-time care staff to eight residents is a good minimum ratio. Ask specifically about care staff as the provider will also have a large number of others employees including kitchen and maintenance staff. Night staff numbers may be slightly lower but there should always be on-call management staff too.
  

• Ask about double rooms for couples – and ask whether there are rooms for visiting family members to stay the night in.

• Additional services are likely to include – laundry service, visiting hairdresser and chiropodist; visiting medical staff such as local GPs; TVs in rooms; call bells; phones in rooms; visits to local attractions and classes or other entertainment.

 

 

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