Having previously taken home prizes from the Swale Business Awards, No Place Like Home have once again thrown their hat into the ring for the 2018 awards. Providing exceptional, personalised, private companionship and care services for senior residents in and around Swale; No Place Like Home has a team of 26 employees.
Under the stewardship of Managing Director Alison Carter, No Place Like Home have racked up a number of impressive achievements. Firstly, the business gained an overall service rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). To put this in perspective, only 171 out of 6,573 services nationally have this level rating! Secondly, the business continues to be recognised and rewarded for its successes. Not only did No Place Like Home secure the Customer Service and Commitment award in 2016 at the Swale Business Awards; but since then, they also received the Care Innovator Award at the Kent Care Awards 2017 and the Community & Partnership Award from the Dementia Friendly Kent Awards 2017.
Because they are such a person-centric business, finding the right staff can be difficult. Alison discussed the approach that No Place Like Home took to overcoming this hurdle: “Finding, developing and keeping the right people to deliver the high-quality, person-centred care we expect from our Personal Assistants is an enduring challenge. We strive to recruit staff that demonstrate strong care values, such as compassion, respect, empathy, treating people with dignity and integrity, and good communication skills. Because of our values-based approach to recruiting, our staff turnover is low, allowing our customers the consistent care they expect and deserve.”
Another challenge that Alison has faced has been learning to delegate to her staff. A true Swale entrepreneur, Alison has gone from knowing nothing about professional care in 2012, to founding the business in 2013, to having an award-winning, market-leading business in 2018! As any business owner knows, it can be tempting to do everything yourself, but Alison has managed to get over this temptation by surrounding herself with a strong, supportive and trustworthy team.
When asked why she felt that No Place Like Home should be recognised at the 2018 Swale Business Awards, Alison responded: “We provide a unique service to our local community, enabling residents to make the most of their later life. Rather than financial gains, we define our success more in terms of our customers’ satisfaction. We remain true to our principles and we play to our strengths, yet are constantly refining and retuning them to offer a truly personal service for each of our clients and employees.”
No Place Like Home
Syndale Park
Ospringe
Faversham
ME13 0RH
01795 597 983
www.noplacelikehome.eu