Homecare company takes flight to bring home 5th CQC Outstanding Rating

Home Instead Senior Care is proud to be the only homecare provider to hold a fabulous 5 Outstanding Ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

We’re thrilled to celebrate the latest Outstanding Rating brought home to our brand by Jo and Richard Aram, our East Nottingham and Melton Mowbray owners.

When Richard decided to hang up his wings after 15 years flying as cabin crew with British Airway’s world-wide fleet - he set his heart on starting a business that was grounded in his local community.

After flying all over the globe, the Nottinghamshire father-of-two wanted a new career that was a little closer to home instead – one where he felt he could make a real difference to society at the same time.

Joined by his wife Jo, mum to their young twins, the caring couple opened their business in 2012 and were welcomed into the Home Instead UK franchise family at the time as our 100th franchise.

Proud to be part of our now 175 strong network Richard has a clear message to give prospective homecare franchisees.

“If you have it in your heart to care about people in your community, then this is a fantastic franchise to be part of.  This isn’t just a ‘show me the money’ franchisor, you have to want to be part of something more meaningful.

You have to want to make a difference to society at the same time as steering a successful homecare business.”

Together, Richard and Jo champion care that passes the ‘Mum Test’ – the quality of care you would want for yourself or your own loved one. Four years on, their franchise helps 90 older people continue to live in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes as long as possible.

And as a local employer, Richard and Jo have recruited 65 CAREGivers into their business - employees who are proud to deliver care that passes the ‘Mum Test’ every day.

Today, the couple have become the first homecare provider in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire to receive an Outstanding Rating – the highest possible - from the CQC. Its new ‘Ofsted’ style system marks services over five categories: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Their CQC report is packed with glowing comments about the quality and standards of the care service Home Instead delivers to its clients and reflects the peace of mind that its trusted care provision gives to family members. Their CAREGivers spoke equally highly to CQC inspectors about the way they are looked after and valued for their contribution to the care cause.

What Home Instead clients told CQC inspectors:

“I couldn’t wish for more caring carers.”

“They are very polite and respectful. Everything about them is immaculate. Their manners towards us are impeccable.”

“They definitely treat us with respect, they are aware it is our home.”

“There aren’t the words I can express for the whole outfit, they are superb.”

What Home Instead CAREGivers told CQC inspectors:

“It is a pleasure to work here. It doesn’t feel like a job, I go out and do some good then go home with a smile on my face.”

“Genuinely we have a caring approach, you can’t be a caring company without caring for each other.”

“A brilliant firm to work for, they not only support the client but support the caregivers too.”

Said Richard: “My time in the skies with British Airways taught me what excellent customer service looks like. You have to put people first, pure and simple, and then there’s a ripple effect of trust.

“When we started our homecare company, Jo and I adopted this ethos from day one. We care about quality of life and dignity for our elderly clients. We care about their families in turn, they have to be able to have the peace of mind to know that their loved ones are in safe hands.

“As franchisees we’ve benefitted from tremendous support from National Office, that’s been throughout our business lifecycle. And our CEO Trevor Brocklebank’s passion to realise our brand’s mission to change the face of ageing is compelling. It was a leap of faith to become a franchisee but once we did our due diligence, it was exciting to be at the vanguard of quality homecare provision.”

Fellow Director Jo, who came from a fashion retail then commercial property background before becoming a franchisee, added: “We’re thrilled to be the first homecare provider in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire to receive an Outstanding Rating from the CQC. Getting the highest rating possible is due to the dedication of our CAREGivers. Richard and I dedicate this Outstanding Rating to them as our mark of respect, we couldn’t have done this without their commitment.”

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe, said: “I am delighted Home Instead Senior Care has achieved a fifth outstanding rating following our recent inspection at its Nottinghamshire branch.