Home care company Bright Care named best health and social care firm to work for

Bright Care has been named the best health and social care company to work for in 2021.

The home care firm has been ranked first in the Best Companies to Work for List.

Bright Care has also come 10th in the Best Companies To Work for in Scotland and 20th overall in the UK.

Some 92 per cent of its staff belief the organisation is run strong principles, with the senior leadership team pitching in to deliver PPE to carers to alleviate pressure local branch teams.

During the pandemic, the company provided upgraded COVID safe uniforms and equipment for over 200 workers. Bright Care worked with a local producer to create its own brand hand sanitiser, which was given out to all care staff and clients.

Bright Care provides private home care and its services include visiting care, overnight care and live-in care. The company was praised for setting up a Here to Help service during the pandemic, to allow people to submit COVID-related queries.

After seeking care for a family member, Tim and his wife Louise Cocking founded Bright Care in 2009 in Edinburgh. The home care provider, which has 260 workers, now operates eight branches across the UK.

Tim Cocking, founder and managing director of Bright Care said: “The golden rule at Bright Care is creating that environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, they feel connected with the team, and they are cared for and looked after.

“And I think the situation like what we have seen over the last year has been the opportunity for that to really prove its power.

“When people feel that sense of belonging and they know that their organisation has their back, they really excel in what they do, and we’ve felt that the team has pulled together really strongly over the last 12 months.”

Some 89 per cent of staff believe the firm’s training benefits them. The Bright Care Training Academy has continued to run throughout the pandemic to develop employees. An in-house performance coach is also available to help and support the mental and physical wellbeing of all employees.

Last September, the Glasgow team raised £600 for Alzheimer Scotland by taking part in a Memory Walk and every year they collect food donations for the Glasgow South West Food Bank. The Bridge of Allan office also took part in a local toy appeal, collectively donating more than 50 gifts.

Home Instead secures 3rd place

Chester-based Home Instead home care firm was rated the third best company to work for in the health and social care sector.

The company was praised for campaigning nationally for care workers to be given dedicated time to buy food in supermarkets during the pandemic.

It also ensured all its PPE supplies come from ethical sources. Two wellbeing surveys have resulted in new post-lockdown policies being put in place to give employees more flexibility for home-working in future.

With a franchise of 220 offices nationwide, a recent survey found that 97 per cent of Home Instead clients would recommend the company, with 98 per cent of them saying their carers have kept them safe and well during the Covid-19 crisis. Inspired Villages, which operates retirement villages was ranked in fifth place.

Inspired Villages chief executive Jamie Bunce said: “When we formed Inspired Villages in 2017, we were determined to get the company culture right straightaway to ensure we would make a real difference to people’s lives."

Barchester Healthcare secured 11th place. With 17,663 employees, it is one of the UK’s largest providers of nursing, residential and dementia care. Barchester supports 12,000 residents across 236 care homes and six independent mental health hospitals.

Barchester Healthcare was praised for offering ‘a competitive salary and one of the best rewards packages in the care sector. It offers a ‘Celebrating Success’ programme and its Barchester Care Awards recognising excellent performance in its teams.

Christies Care, a home care agency in Suffolk, is in 13th place. Awarded ‘Outstanding’ status twice in a row by the Care Quality Commission, it employs 320 people.

The Abbeyfield Society, based in St Albans, secured 15th place. Providing housing for older people, the company increased staff holidays during the pandemic and gave all staff a wellbeing pack which included a £100 voucher.

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