Check the CQC register first.
Every provider of personal care in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. Search the provider's name at www.cqc.org.uk to confirm they are registered, read their latest inspection report, and check their rating. If a provider is not on the register, they cannot legally deliver personal care. Haverton Care's own home care service is in development and will appear on the register once our registration is granted — we encourage you to check us too.
Ask about the staff.
Who will actually come to your home? Ask how carers are recruited and checked, whether you will see the same familiar faces or constantly changing ones, how staff are trained, and what happens if your regular carer is unwell.
Ask about the care plan.
Good care starts with listening. A quality provider will assess your needs and preferences before care begins, involve you and your family in the plan, and review it regularly. The plan should be about your life and routines — not a task list.
Ask about costs — in writing.
Request a clear breakdown: hourly rates, evening and weekend rates, travel charges, notice periods, and how invoicing works. Reputable providers put this in writing before care begins.
Trust how they treat you now.
How a provider handles your first enquiry tells you a great deal. Were they honest about availability? Did they listen more than they talked? Did they pressure you? The answer to that last question should always be no.
Useful contacts:
Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk); your local council's adult social care team for a needs assessment; Age UK (ageuk.org.uk) for independent advice.