New home care business signals ambition for a revolution in domiciliary care

With more and more health services favouring care in the home, social care is an expanding sector and open for innovation, something new company Expertise Homecare want to be at the forefront of.

Co-owner Harriet Smith

Launching on September 1 in Tunbridge Wells, the company’s vision includes a dedication to ‘ripping up the rule book’, with co-owners Harriet Smith and Natalie Richards aiming to replace, as they see it, ‘outmoded and impractical care processes with state-of-the-art support software and systems’.

Although currently based in Tunbridge Wells, Expertise Homecare has set its sights on opening ten additional franchises within its first year of service, with a long-term vision that includes international growth.

Both owners have developed their home care philosophy by drawing on extensive experience working for the NHS and private care organisations, since when they have drawn up an approach to domiciliary care that involves reducing each carer’s admin and form-filling workload, in order to free up the professional for the practice of caring itself.

Harriet Smith comments: “Working in the sector, we have seen first hand what works and what can be improved. We know there is a high and growing demand for quality home care in the UK which outstrips current provision and believe that Expertise Homecare will shape the future of adult healthcare provision.

Co-owner Natalie Richards

“Our model retains the elements that we know work and replaces others with progressive and technologically advanced systems and solutions to provide a much higher quality, transparent service.”

Natalie Richards also comments on the company’s vision, saying “ The home care sector has been using the same practices for decades. It’s time for a much-needed overhaul. Our innovative software and processes will raise the standard of care delivery in an open way that builds trust between our network of care providers and the people we care for and their families.”

Examples of the innovative software that the company believes can bring about a revolution include a simple-to-use real time notification system, which allows carers to chart their progress on a hand-held device and also allows family members to stay informed on completed care actions.

A commitment to transparency also sees the company partner with independent review company Reevoo, which will allow clients to post comments and feedback.