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DOMICILIARY CARE:
A PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
By Carole Broughton
Care at home –
domiciliary care – has sometimes been seen as the poor relation
to residential care. However, with the growing emphasis on service
user’s individual views and the widening range of domiciliary
care services available, has come a recognition of care at home
as an important alternative to residential care. The regulation
of domiciliary care providers of personal care, by the Commission
for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) – formerly the National Care
Standards Commission (NCSC) up until April 2004 – has also
brought the importance of care at home into sharp focus.
The United Kingdom
Home Care Association (UKHCA) is the professional association for
member organisations who provide care, including nursing care, to
people in their own homes. Its primary aim is to identify and promote
the highest standards of home care. In addition, the Association
produces information on good practice – and acts as a focal
point for innovation and quality within the care industry. Full
member organisations either go through a vetting procedure, or produce
evidence that they are regulated by CSCI, to join the Association.
Once in membership they promise to adhere to the UKHCA Code of Practice.
Our members provide
flexible services to support people in their own homes, including
help on an hourly basis, overnight or even live-in services. Care
can usually be provided for a whole range of clients who might be
in need of such support.
Since its founding
in 1989, the UKHCA has always tried to make information about the
services that are available for individuals to purchase for themselves
easily accessible to those who might need them. This need is becoming
ever more crucial as local authorities restrict their provision
or funding of services to those with more complex or greater needs.
For those who fall outside local authorities’ eligibility criteria,
the need for information about high quality, reliable services is
paramount.
 To
meet the need for information about domiciliary care services and
assist people who are seeking homecare, UKHCA provides geographical
lists of its member organisations – and a leaflet entitled
‘Choosing Care in your home’. The service is available
free to users, carers and professionals in the field. For further
information, contact the UKHCA Helpline on 020 8288 1551, from Monday
to Friday 9am to 5 pm.
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Full
contact details for the UKHCA are as follows:
UKHCA
Ltd, 42b Banstead Road,
Carshalton Beeches, Surrey SM5 3NW
Tel:
020 8288 1551 Fax: 020 8288 1550 enquiries@ukhca.co.uk
www.ukhca.co.uk
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