Here are some typical questions that people ask about home care and our service. Use the + symbol to expand to see an answer or use the Search box below and type in a question.
Any answers we have that may be relevant will then appear on this page.

Your Questions

Uncategorized FAQ

  • Is home care right for you and your family?

    If you are considering care for yourself, do you: wish to remain living happily at home continuing to make happy memories in familiar surroundings, live largely unsupported but need some extra support around some key activities of daily living, or need help with doing certain things in the home to live safely and independently? Then home care might be right for you!  

    If you are thinking about care for your family member, are you: struggling to provide support yourself due to time, work, a lack of proximity to your loved one, or other pressures, looking for the time spent with you to be sociable and fun, enjoying the close bonds that come with family and friendships, concerned about the long-term costs associated with residential care? Then home care might be the right option for your family.  

Covid-19

  • Contacting us during lockdown

    In line with government guidelines, our office team will be working fully or partially from home throughout the Tier 3 lockdown.

    We have arrangements in place to ensure you can still contact our team, via telephone, email or through the website as preferred.

  • Will CCCV provide care for me or a loved one if I’m/they are self- isolating or have coronavirus?

    If you are a CCCV User Member and suspect that you have coronavirus, you must contact the CCCV as soon as possible. We will not stop your care and will work with you to keep your care in place whilst ensuring our Staff Members are protected.

    If you or a loved one do not need hospital treatment, we will continue to look after you or them in their own home.

  • What if the Staff Member who provides my care has coronavirus?

    We are following all the latest advice, including requiring anyone to self-isolate if they:

    • Test positive for coronavirus,
    • Are displaying symptoms of coronavirus or
    • Have been told to stay at home by NHS Test and Trace.

    Staff Members who are self-isolating or have coronavirus will be replaced by another Staff Member on a temporary basis.

    This is the same procedure that would be followed if a Staff Member was unwell.

  • I’m considering using CCCV’s services – do I need to worry?

    CCCV are following all advice from the Government, NHS and Care Quality Commission, and have put extra precautions in place to protect both our Staff and User Members.

    It’s is business as usual, and there are no differences to the high-quality care we provide or arranging packages of care for new customers. If the advice from the Government changes, we will update our position as needed.

  • I am worried about my or my loved one’s wellbeing during lockdown – can you help?

    We understand how difficult it is not being able to see family and loved ones in the way that we are used to, our carers will help by responding positively if a User Member shows signs of anxiety or concern.

    Digital technology can help our Staff Members with ways to keep User Members entertained. Through apps like FaceTime and Skype, our Staff Members can help User Members to maintain connections remotely with their families and loved ones. Our Staff Members are aware of how this crisis is impacting those they care for and are dedicated to helping our User Members to live well and enjoy life.

General Questions

  • Where is the service available?

    Our service is available in the Colne Valley area of Kirklees.

  • How long does the service last?

    Each case is assessed on a case by case basis. Some User Members may require long term provision. Others choose to use the service for ad-hoc care or respite care. 

  • What if I don’t like my care package or want to make changes?

    Our experience tells us that people’s care needs very often change. We therefore understand that care may need reviewing from time to time. This is why we carry out reviews on a regular basis and why we are pleased to hear from members of the immediate family about effective methods for delivering the care service for their relative.

  • What about my personal security?

    Every member of the CCCV team has been through a rigorous vetting procedure before they start working with us. As part of our recruitment process, all members of staff undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check and a Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) check as part of the initial interview process.  

    We carry Public Liability insurance. 

    In addition, all staff will always be in uniform and carry a personalised identification card which shows their name, photograph and signature.

     

  • What happens when the office is closed?

    Our offices are normally open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Aside from this, we operate an out-of-hours emergency service which is staffed from 7am to 10pm. The number for your out of hours service can be provided for your reassurance, with someone at the end of the telephone line to assist with any emergencies about your care.  

  • Can I use an Advocate?

    User Members have the right to access external agents who will act in their interests to help them solve problems, discuss concerns etc.

    The Registered Manager will be happy to provide information on local advocacy groups and other support networks, if required. 

Paying for care

  • How much do CCCV services cost and can I get any help with the fees?

    We will put together a detailed plan for each User member which, as well as setting out the care to be delivered, also shows the weekly costs. Some people will be entitled to assistance with the cost of their care either from their local Social Services office or via other Government grants.

  • How do I pay for my care?

    We will send you a bill once a month. If you wish to pay by standing order (to save you having to remember to write out a cheque) just let us know.

     

  • Can I afford Home Care?

    We know this is a question that is often asked and there are a few things to consider, including your options on benefits, if applicable. See our article (on the link here) that covers this area.

Home care

  • What is Social Care?

    Social care consists of services which support people with needs arising from illness, disability, the negative effects of aging or poverty. Social care can include domiciliary care, day centre provision, provision of equipment and housing options with varying levels of care.

    Social care is under pressure from a reduction of funding and is not free at the point of use as is the case with NHS healthcare.

    It is means tested and those who can will be expected to make a contribution.  The council will carry out a financial assessment for those who need it.

  • What are the benefits of home care?

    We believe care and support should be about having a choice and planning ahead, not about reacting to a situation or development. Sadly, all too often, accidents in the home and sudden illness are often the reason that kick starts the ‘care conversation’, sometimes resulting in a rushed and  less than suitable care decision. 

     

    Most people would rather grow old in their own homes, but due to our society’s often ‘reactive’ approach to care, it doesn’t always work out that way. Providing the right level of care, and sometimes providing support, before it’s needed is the best way to avoid this. We’re here to help you do that. The aim is to prevent peoples level of dependence deteriorating. 

  • Why is home care good for my family?

    Time spent with your loved ones in their old age should be fun, not challenging. We spend our time taking care of the essentials, so you can spend time doing the things you enjoy most.

    Choosing a high quality, trusted home care provider removes a great deal of the stress surrounding long term decision making for your loved ones and time after time, home care is the least expensive arrangement compared to care delivered in a residential setting.  

     

  • Why is home care good for me?

    It’s flexible, it’s hassle-free and it’s enjoyable. You’ll get to stay in your community and live under your own roof, surrounded by your own things and continue to live by your own rules. One of the best things about what we do is that it doesn’t ‘feel like care’. Or at least, it doesn’t feel like what many people think care feels like.

    Although our Staff Members are professional and highly trained, they carry out their duties appearing just like a friend or companion.  

  • What is Non-medical Care?

    CCCV provides non-medical care which means anything that doesn’t involve nursing intervention, such as administering injections, changing wound dressings, and taking vital sign measurements.

Dementia care

  • I/my loved one have/has dementia. Can you care for me?

    At CCCV we recognise the challenge of caring for someone living with Dementia and our years of experience in helping people to cope with the situation means that we are able to offer expertise when it comes to providing care and support for someone living with dementia.

    We have also developed a dementia training programme so that our Staff Members are properly trained to care for those living with dementia.

  • How is your approach to dementia care unique?

    We have developed a training programme for Staff Members which is specialised for the home care environment. It has been developed by experts in dementia services.

    It means you can rest assured that you will have the right team in place to put your mind at ease and know that your loved ones are receiving the best care available. 

Our Staff

  • Why do we use the term Staff Members?

    We use the term Staff Members because we do not necessarily recruit carers who previously have had a social care or health care background. We look for kind, caring, empathetic individuals with a loving heart who want to dedicate their time to helping care for people. We train them to have the skills and confidence to care for people in their own home which includes how to provide care with dignity and respect.  

    All staff will be Members of CCCV so will have a voice in shaping, developing and improving service 

  • How can you ensure that I receive a Staff Member that I like?

    Our Service standards come down to our team of trained and experienced Staff Members. We take time to select empathetic, enthusiastic people with a big hearts and warm, friendly natures, who want to build positive caring relationships with their User Members.

    We make sure that we choose people who have a range of interests whether it is following a football team, enjoying gentle walks, or painting, crochet and craft making. Whatever it is that floats your boat, we’ll find the right person to support you to become your chosen companion.

  • How are Staff Members trained?

    Following recruitment our Staff Members attend a ten-day Induction Training programme at our Slaithwaite Office before they start working for us. The topics covered include Moving and Handling; Health and Safety; Handling Medication, Infection Control, Safeguarding Adults, Dementia, Dignity, Emergency Life Support, Food Hygiene, Fire Safety, Deprivation or liberty, Mental capacity and Best interest and GDPR etc.

    All new Staff Members shadow existing CCCV Staff Members on day-to-day work within homes and have to be assessed as competent by managers before commencing work in a solo capacity. 

    Twice annually, all Staff Members undergo a training and development review and are encouraged to study further. 

    We believe that our carers represent our greatest asset. By providing opportunities and facilities for training CCCV aims to ensure that Staff Members are in possession of the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to perform their job to the highest standard. To this end, we are committed to functioning as providers of an induction programme for new Staff Members which meets the standards set out by the National Minimum Standards. 

  • Will I have the same Staff Member each day?

    This depends on how many visits you have each week. We very rarely have just one Staff Member assigned to a particular User Member. This allows for periods of time where your Staff Member may be away on holiday, however we do try to keep the number of your Staff Members to an absolute minimum. 

  • What tasks will my Staff Member carry out?

    We agree a ‘Care Plan’ which details exactly what you have instructed us to do. This then becomes the work list for each day. Care plans frequently evolve, and we check regularly to ensure that the care we are providing is meeting your needs.

  • Is there anything that my Staff Member is not able to do?

    work to that list. We are not able to give injections or change sterile dressings. Also, we cannot carry out tasks which are likely to cause risk to either the person we provide care to or to the CCCV Staff Member.

    Tasks will be agreed with you in advance. Any changes to the plan can be discussed with your local CCCV team.

  • How can I be sure that my Staff Member will stay the full period of the care visit and carry out all the tasks?

    We take a considered and comprehensive approach to ensuring that your care service is exactly what is required. After every visit the Staff Member will write the details of activities undertaken during the visit in the care record (which is retained by the User Member).

  • What happens if my regular Staff Member is sick or goes on holiday?

    All Staff Members work on a rota basis and will have holidays booked at least six weeks in advance to ensure suitable cover is organised. When illness occurs, we will provide a suitable alternative to cover short term sickness.

About CCCV

  • Who are Co-operative Care Colne Valley (CCCV)?

    We are an organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for people in their own homes.  

    What we do is personal. It’s tailored, it’s flexible and it’s adaptable as needs and preferences change. Most importantly, it means we help people to live a life at home living happily, comfortably and as independently as possible 

    CCCV services, have been developed in such a way as to involve the care receiver, the care giver and the family; working together with a shared goal of promoting and maintaining mutual respect, choice and dignity, whilst aiming to achieve an individual’s personal wishes and preferred support and care outcomes 

  • How are CCCV different?

    When it comes to care, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so we don’t offer one. People are different, so we are different. It’s as simple as that. Every tiny detail of every service we offer is tailored to the needs of the person needing care, but also their close family.  

    CCCV services are wide ranging. Some people simply need help outside of the home, such as when they go shopping. Others may need help with personal care including: bathing, dressing, and enjoying nutritious meals. Our care and support also takes into account life changing or long-term illnesses such as dementia, Parkinson’s and many others.

    Finally, many people we support simply want company and conversation due to loneliness, recent bereavement or for a new friend.  

  • Who regulates Co-operative Care Colne Valley?

    CCCV is registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC). CQC set the minimum standards by which we operate, however in every case we seek to exceed these minimum standards by a significant margin. 

  • How do I arrange a care service with CCCV?

    Contact CCCV and make an appointment for us to visit you for a chat about how CCCV can work for you. We are happy to visit you at home to discuss ways we can help and then, once you have decided, you simply leave the rest to us!