I need a comprehensive list of care companies in Essex

Deisel_Weisel

We want carers to come in the mornings to get both Mum and Dad up.

I was waiting on social services to organise a company, or companies. After a long wait, I was not impressed with the one company they came up with. The care company said an OT evaluation was required before they could progress matters, but we’ve not heard from them since.

Now as Mum and Dad have sufficient savings, they will be paying for these carers themselves, so I thought why not make some inquiries myself, if I could get hold of a list of companies.

Also, where to find reliable GENUINE reviews of such companies. I’ve found Trust Pilot a complete joke.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

seems there are 364 home care agencies in Essex, here's a LINK, didn't read through it, so not sure if all listed.

No doubt folks will be along later with recommendations.

Suffolksue

The CQC inspect all care providers and you can view their reports online 
where about s in Essex are you ?

Keep_pedalling

The link frugalmacdugal provided is a good starting point. Do your parents have any friends or acquaintances who are currently receiving care services at home? If they do they are the people to go to for recommendations or otherwise.

Have your parents put LPAs in place? If not they need to do so. Do they currently receive attendance allowance? If not that will be something to investigate to help pay for the service (2 carers for 1 hour a day will cot in the region of £22,000 pa).

Mojisola

I chose a smaller firm when Mum and Dad needed care so that they had the same carers coming.  With most big firms, it could be a different person almost every time. 
With a company I worked for, it was policy (not just logistics) to keep moving carers around so that they didn't build up a personal relationship with the clients. 

Deisel_Weisel

Some useful pointers there. Thanks everyone 

Suffolksue said:

The CQC inspect all care providers and you can view their reports online 
where about s in Essex are you ?

Between Brentwood and Chelmsford 

Suffolksue

I know a few around Colchester but none in that area ,sorry.
the CQC reports are quite in depth ,none of the providers are perfect ,but you can read between the lines 
Suffolk produces a book of all the providers with notes on their particular areas of expertise 
might be worth seeing if Essex does likewise 
good Luck 

Suffolksue

Also ask local friends and neighbours,I was given a few recommendations,but perhaps more importantly,who to avoid and why 

Deisel_Weisel

Suffolksue said:

I know a few around Colchester but none in that area ,sorry.
the CQC reports are quite in depth ,none of the providers are perfect ,but you can read between the lines 
Suffolk produces a book of all the providers with notes on their particular areas of expertise 
might be worth seeing if Essex does likewise 
good Luck 

Would you have contact details for the Suffolk book? I can then contact them to see if an Essex version exists. 

Suffolksue

Think it came from Suffolk Social Services ,our wonderful specialist nurse brought it.

I had been caring for my now late husband alone and coping ,but 3 days after the start of the first lockdown I was rushed into hospital .Our son rushed down and our GP whilst ringing for an ambulance for me ,rang Soc Services who set up an emergency package ,supposedly for 6 weeks .Everyone then realised just how hard it was (OH had a particularly foul neurodegenerative disease ,but was mentally unaffected) .The care I had been giving alone took two carers,

Son told DH that I couldn’t do it alone any more ,then when I came home SS decided that he wasn’t  eligible for their package as he wouldn’t improve and gave us 10/7 to find a suitable care agency ( we would be self funding for at least a year before he ran out of money ) .
Specialist nurse brought me that booklet and I asked friends neighbours etc .
1 month later they assessed him as end of life and it was paid for ,but kept the same excellent agency .
We were v lucky as when things deteriorated they just put more help in and I was able to fulfill his only wish and keep him at home to die .

I think if you ring Essex council Adult Services they will be able to put you in the right direction 
Do you have Social Service involvement ,it does vary from Council to Council 


sorry for the essay and Best Wishes and Good Luck it’s a bit of a mine field .