COVID-19

In light of the current pandemic we have created this useful guide to address any questions you might have.

Actions we take to keep people safe

We observe strict infection control policy and procedures in line with government guidance within our office space and whilst accessing the community. Visitors to our office premises are discouraged and appointments to be made to allow for better management of our office space. Where visitors attend, they are expected to adhere to the measures in place. Impromptu visitors may be asked to leave if not cooperating with procedures once explained, in order to maintain the safety of our staff team and those we support. All visitors and staff are expected to sign-in to the premises and record their temperature. Visitors may sign-in to our office location via the relevant mobile app for more accurate tracking.

Our recruitment and training processes have been developed to limit the need for face-to-face contact, those where these do take place, all interactions are socially-distanced and/or the use of facemasks is made clear. This will depend on the office environment you are entering and will be explained to you prior to any face-to-face interactions. We present the option of, and encourage, virtual interviews to limit travel and face-to-face interaction until absolutely necessary. We recognise that people may feel more comfortable meeting in person however and so are able to present a safe alternative by following the procedures explained above.

When accessing people’s homes and providing care and support, we ensure our staff are fully trained and undergo regular supervision and checks to ensure all are adhering to the measures we expect, ensuring everyone is protected against the spread of the virus as much as possible. These measures are observed across all our interactions within the community. Where staff are exempt from forms of PPE we ensure that they clearly display a sunflower band or lanyard to illustrate such exemption. The sunflower motif has become a recognised symbol of exemption.

How we maintain your safety

All of our staff team, including senior management and office support staff have been offered the vaccine and 96% of our workforce have been double-vaccinated, the majority have now also received their booster jab. All our frontline care workers are routinely expected to test themselves for COVID-19 using Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) in line with the current government guidance.

How COVID-19 might affect you

At interview stage, we ensure that all applicants are made aware of the vaccinations on offer and encourage those entering into this line of work to consider being vaccinated if they have not been already. Whilst in Wales there is no mandatory requirement for homecare workers to be vaccinated in order to work, we make all applicants aware that this may become a requirement of the role in the future. We will make a record of these conversations at interview stage but will not base our application decision upon the answers.

We also make applicants aware that regular testing is required in order to work safely in their role. This is a mandatory requirement as a measure to effectively prevent the spread of the virus throughout our workforce and those that we care and support.

Something still bothering you?

If you still have some concerns or want to ask further questions, please do not hesitate to discuss at application or interview stage. Alternatively give our friendly team a call or drop them a message to talk through anything at all. We want people to be safe in their own homes, and feel protected whilst working in the community but equally we want people to understand why certain measures are in place. We will do all we can to help allay any worries you may have.