Providing the choice to be cared for in your own home

Why should I choose Live-in Care?

Live-in Care Workers enable their Clients to remain independent in their own home and to be supported in living a full and active life. You will find it an extremely individual service. It can encompass far more than traditional care tasks if that is what is wanted. We will explore in detail what you want to achieve by having Live-in Care, and take this as our guide.

I am no longer able to manage at home. Do I need to go into a care home (residential care) to receive the care I need?

Almost certainly not. If you would prefer to stay in your own home you should explore care services that can support you in doing so. Experienced care workers, as well as other healthcare workers such as community nurses, can attend to you at home.
You might feel better knowing there is someone close at hand, or just appreciate companionship - for instance sharing meals. Whatever your needs, Live-in Care enables you to meet them while staying in your own home.

What area does Cooksbridge Care cover?

Cooksbridge Care covers Sussex, Surrey, Southern Kent, Southern Hampshire and South and Inner London Boroughs. This means our Care Coordinators can keep a close eye on the services given to clients.

What services do our Care Workers offer?

Live-in Care services for a week, or as long as needed.
This may include:

• Personal care.
• Domestic work, shopping, cooking.
• Assisting with following a re-ablement or rehabilitation plan to regain independence after a period of time in hospital.
• 'Short break' care at home for a week or two, for example if a regular carer needs time off.
• Accompaniment on holidays, social events, and appointments.
• Care Workers offer companionship, but will take guidance on when it is appreciated, respecting your privacy and comfort in your own home.

We only offer Live-in services. If you are looking for daily visits or other care services, please visit our Links page to find some people who may be able to help.

Does Cooksbridge Care comply with high service standards?

As professional care providers, we are proud of our high standards. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) report on what we do. You can read our last four Inspection Reports, confirming that we have met or exceeded all of their quality standards.
We are a contracted Care Provider to several Local Authorities.
We are members of the United Kingdom Home Care Association and fully support its code of conduct.

How does Cooksbridge Care look after its Clients?

We know how important a personal service is to our Clients. This is why each Client has their own Care Coordinator attending to their care needs. The Care Coordinator hand-picks a team of Care Workers to suit the Client's requirements. They keep in close contact with Clients, their families and Care Workers, offering help and advice when required. Our Care Coordinators have a great deal of experience in home care and are dedicated to making Live-in Care a success for their Clients.
We also have a 24 hour emergency 'On-call' service, because sometimes help and advice is needed outside of office hours.
People feel safe with Cooksbridge Care.

In our spring 2008 survey, over 90% of respondents felt their Care Coordinator was helpful and courteous, and said that they felt comfortable with their Care Workers in their home. No client reported that they were dissatisfied with our services. The full report is available on request.

How does Cooksbridge Care recruit and train Care Workers?

The professional quality of care we arrange comes from the high priority we attach to selecting and training Care Workers.
We have a rigorous recruitment procedure. With all our recruits we explore their work history, skills, experience and training through in depth face-to-face interviews and thorough reference and criminal records checks. Getting to know Care Workers personally is important, too. For Live-in Care to be a success, the right personality is crucial. Our skill lies in choosing the right person for you.
Before a Care Worker is accepted as a member of the Cooksbridge Care team our induction training has to be satisfactorily completed. This training includes first aid; giving and handling medication safely; moving people; food and hygiene requirements and many other aspects of Live-in Care at home. A copy of our induction programme is available for your inspection.

How much will Live-in Care cost?

Live-in Care is our specialism. This means we can arrange care services of a very high standard that are excellent value to you. Each arrangement will be individually priced and we can give you an estimate over the phone. We will visit you at home to discuss your requirements fully. We can then give you an itemised weekly fee so you can make your decision. At Cooksbridge Care we do not claim to be the cheapest, but we offer the highest standard of professional services to give you peace of mind. There is a reduction if a housekeeper / companion is all that is required.

If I choose Cooksbridge Care, how quickly can you help?

Just as quickly as we can.
If you would like to start care in a matter of days, please telephone us as soon as you can and we will tell you the first date Care could start. Often this will be within a week. At our busiest times it will be longer, and the more notice you can give us the better things can be arranged. Please be assured if your need is urgent, every effort will be made on your behalf to help.

Can you provide continuity of care and regular Care Workers?

Yes to both questions. We aim to put in place a regular rota of Care Workers that will become a trusted and reliable part of your life at home.

Can I receive a contribution from my Council towards Care from Cooksbridge?

You can have a care needs and income assessment by your Local Social Services. You may be entitled to a contribution towards the cost of your care. This is a matter between you and your local council, so you need to contact them directly. See our Links page for contact details. We will happily provide care to people financed by their Local Authority, those on the Direct Payments Scheme, and people who are self-funding.

Do you offer 24-hour care?

We offer Live-in Care, which is where the care worker stays with the client in the client's house for the duration of their booking. Although the care worker is close at hand the greatest part of the day, and also at night if needed, they will require sleep and break times as well, so cannot literally provide 24-hour care. However, if full 24-hour care is what is required then a rota of care can be arranged.