Become a valued client today and gain access & support from a vast network of Care & Help providers in your area
Call or email us now for more information on how you can benefit from a variety of support, tailored to your specific needs. Providing support across all of East Riding.
Guide to using
Freedom-providers:
Freedom providers, or 'micro-providers' usually offer care and support in flexible ways, at times that suit you and with an emphasis on putting you first.
To be an accredited Micro-provider in the East Riding, each micro-provider has signed up and is committed to meeting the quality standards.
In addition to this commitment each micro-provider has us with evidence of:
• Enhanced DBS check (within 3 years)
• Public Liability Insurance
• Complaints Procedure
• Terms of Service
Whilst the programme offers this assurance, we are unable to guarantee the quality or satisfaction of using the services on the approved lists or directories of micro-providers.
When choosing the right Micro-provider for you, there are some key issues you need to think about. In this guide, we’ll take you through them.
Our network of local self-employed Microproviders are available to help, get in touch with us now to see how we can help you.
1. Make sure you are comfortable
Whilst qualifications and experience are important, building a good relationship is the key to good support. You should assess how comfortable you are with any potential Micro-provider. You should do this by arranging a meeting before using their services.
This meeting or interview, will give you both the opportunity to see if you can build a rapport, have shared interests and will be a good fit for one another. It may be a good idea to bring a family member or friend with you to the interview.
Important things to look for are:
- Were they on time?
- Did they show an interest in you, your life, your goals and aspirations?
- Did they listen well and did they have availability to fulfil the support?
- Don’t feel you have to make a decision at the meeting.
- Sleep on it or ask for more information.
If you did not get a good feeling, walk away.
2. Understand your responsibilities
Continuity, flexibility, and responsive services are at the heart of Micro-providing. But they are not for everyone. Most Micro-providers do not meet the criteria to be formally regulated by the social care regulator The Care Quality Commission (CQC).
This does not mean they are low quality or unsafe, but it does mean they can only provide personal care (such as help with bathing, dressing, (using the toilet) if you (or your family) are able to assess their suitability, tell them what you need, when you need it and direct their work on an ongoing basis.
For some people, who have a clear idea of what support they need and are happy and willing to recruit and manage their support, Micro-providers work well. For others, who may not know what they need or may not have family around to support, may not want this responsibility. For these people, CQC regulated services may be preferable.
This table is a useful guide to whether a Freedom-provider is right for you:
3. Things to look for
Things to look for:
• Is the provider going to be reliable and professional? Ask for references from other people they have supported. Have they the right training and qualifications?
• Has the provider had an enhanced criminal records (DBS) check?
• Have they suitable public liability insurance? Do they have policies (and use them!) on things like, confidentiality and safeguarding?
• What are everyone’s rights and responsibilities in the arrangement? Is there a contract or terms of service and support plans that you’ll both have to sign that will clearly set out who will do what, when, where, and how?
• How much will you have to pay and how will this happen in practice? • Do they provide invoices with receipts?
4. Expected Standard of Service
All approved Micro-providers have committed to an agreed code of practice described in the quality standards.
Before engaging with a Micro-provider please read the quality standard as this will show you the quality and practice
commitments made by all approved Micro-providers.
If you feel that any Micro-provider has provided a service that falls below this standard you can report this to us using this Micro-provider Feedback Form. Our Micro-providers deliver a flexible, individual service that’s person centred towards you and your care needs. They give you more choice and control over how your outcomes will be achieved.
Your life – Your choice!
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.