Homecare Challenges
Service Quality
The ever increasing pressures for improved quality of service presents one of the biggest challenges facing commissioners and providers of public services and the homecare sector is no exception. Vulnerable clients are highly dependent on care visits being made on time, as scheduled, and so continuity of care and avoidance of service breakdown are essential.
Controlling Costs
The need to provide greater value for money is a perennial challenge to any service provider, be it independent homecare providers competing for contracts or Social Services departments seeking to gain maximum value for tax payers. Controlling and lowering costs whilst maintaining - or improving - service levels is the ultimate management challenge.
Accountability
Accountability and transparency are now universally recognized as being two of the big issues of our times for commissioners of public services. In the Homecare sector, provides need to be able to demonstrate that commissioned care has actually been delivered and this can only be done by an independent 3rd party providing transparent verified data.
Safety
Homecare brings a unique set of challenges in terms of staff safety. By definition, homecare services are provided away from employers’ premises in clients’ homes; moreover the vast majority of homecare is carried out by lone workers. Employers have a duty of care towards their homecare staff and need to demonstrate that they have taken effective steps to manage the risk.
Homecare Challenges