Specialists Celebrate 25 Years in the Business Care

The Care Attendant Scheme, based in Hampshire yesterday celebrated their twenty-fifth year by taking all their carers to a special lunch. This proved to be a timely celebration: For the commission for Social Care Inspection reports that they have found widespread problems within care providers in the country, whilst CAS delivers well beyond the problems described by the report.

"The Care Attendant Scheme and friends"

The commission have concerns that many care services provide too short visits, and that many are typically provided in hurried 15 minutes slots in which a series of tasks are carried out whether they are needed or not. However, CAS has always prided itself on its continuity of care and flatly refuse to provide 15 minutes calls in the community, as they do not believe a high quality service can be achieved in that time.

“The shortest care slot that we will offer is for half an hour,” explains Lynn Osborne, the Manager for the Care Attendant Scheme, “our years of experience has proved that genuine care, however simple cannot be achieved in 15 minutes, and that a rushed visit fails to provide a safe and dignified service to vulnerable people living at home.”

CAS offer their carers a good rate of pay, along with continuous personal development in order to ensure that they retain the best, most qualified staff. As a result CAS boasts some of the longest serving carers in the sector.

Wendy Pople has worked as a carer for the Care Attendant Scheme since 1988: “If I had known it was out there before I would have done it, as it is a role that fits in with having young children. I get satisfaction from helping people and giving them a better quality of life”

"Some ofthe Care Attendant Scheme carers celebrating25 years of service"

The beautifully decorated room, where CAS celebrated their 25th anniversary, scores of compliments were displayed, that have been paid to the carers, from grateful customers and their families over the years:

“With grateful thanks for excellent care shown to my wife over 13 years of CAS involvement.”

“I am enormously grateful for all help given by CAS and very appreciative of the love and care given to my mum.”

Just two examples of comments displayed:

The Care Attendant Scheme started initially as a pilot in Petersfield to “serve the over 65 year old disabled persons in the town”. It has vastly grown and covers an area from Alton – to Hayling Island taking in surrounding areas.

CAS also provides care for 18 – 65 yr olds and children with disabilities.

CAS becomes a subsidiary service within Drum Housing Association in 2001.

For more information, please contact Sandra Theckston the Director of Care Services at Drum Housing Assocation on 01730 403200.