 Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Factsheet
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
As modern technologies have advanced, there has been considerable debate amongst the medical profession, public and in the courts about the possibility of over or under treatment of a person, especially towards the end of their life. As people are living longer and choosing to stay at home rather then enter residential care, homecare providers will increasingly be looking after elderly or frail individuals in their own homes and may need to support service users who have made, or would like to make, a “Do Not Attempt Resuscitation” instruction.
In response, UKHCA’s preferred solicitors, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, have produced a new factsheet for members about the legal basis of "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation" instructions. [ID 296] Download Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Factsheet
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 Risk Assessment Template
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Members may find the following template of assistance. The template has been used at our risk assessment workshops and is a way of assessing hazards, impact and countermeasures that might ameliorate the risk. [ID 295] Download Risk Assessment Template
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 A brief commentary by Hazlewoods LLP on the March 2010 Budget
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-election Budget on 24th March set out the Government’s plans to secure recovery from the recession.
In his article "A Budget for the Polls?" prepared for UKHCA members, Nick Haines of Hazlewoods LLP gives his personal take on the Budget and its effect on businesses and individuals. [ID 250] Download A brief commentary by Hazlewoods LLP on the March 2010 Budget
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 HSE Sample Questionnaire to assess the health of night workers
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
The UKHCA Policy Team has obtained information from the Health and Safety Executive on health assessments for night workers and a sample health questionnaire, which is available below. Members who need further advice are advised to contact HSE Helpline on 0845 345 0055 or UKHCA member helpline 020 8288 5291. HSE’s advice has been uploaded as a service to members. Advice should be taken before action is implemented or refrained from in specific cases. UKHCA cannot accept any responsibility for action taken or refrained from solely by reference to the contents of this document. [ID 277] Download HSE Sample Questionnaire to assess the health of night workers
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Smoking and Homecare
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Our new factsheet for members on smoking and homecare outlines the main smoking ban provisions across the UK, considers the issues that arise when service users smoke at home and looks at steps to achieving a smoke-free environment for employees. Our factsheet supplements existing guidance with hints on negotiating with users who are reluctant to refrain from smoking and other practical steps to help employers fulfil their obligations to maintain the health of their homecare workers. [ID 278] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Smoking and Homecare
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 UKHCA’s presentation to Laing and Buisson 2009 Homecare conference
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
UKHCA was asked to give the following presentation “Is there a future for small homecare providers” at the Laing and Buisson annual homecare conference. UKHCA’s analysis of the challenges facing small providers, particularly from the personalisation agenda, but also the opportunities, may be of interest to members. It includes some tips and advice for smaller homecare businesses on how to survive the challenges of government initiatives and council actions. [ID 280] Download UKHCA’s presentation to Laing and Buisson 2009 Homecare conference
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 Personalisation: A toolkit for independent homecare providers
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Understanding what personalisation means for the homecare sector is addressed in a new toolkit by UKHCA’s Senior Policy Officer, Francis McGlone, available only to UKHCA member organisations. The toolkit explains the risks, threats and opportunities for providers and ideas about the types of service they could develop. The toolkit also identifies some of the inappropriate and unreasonable contract conditions that some local authorities are trying to impose, and a checklist for providers facing these issues. [ID 274]
You can also purchase Personalisation: A toolkit for independent homecare providers from our online store. Download Personalisation: A toolkit for independent homecare providers
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Accompanying service users on outings and holidays
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
The role of homecare providers increasingly extends to accompanying service users outside the home or on holiday, important
activities to enhance well-being, maintain independence and reduce social isolation. UKHCA’s new factsheet: "Accompanying service users on outings and holidays" describes some of the issues homecare providers need to consider and sources of further advice. [ID 272] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Accompanying service users on outings and holidays
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 Latest consumer regulations affect homecare providers
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, our preferred solicitors who operate the legal helpline, have drawn our attention to new regulations that require a cooling off period and cancellation rights in contracts signed in users' homes. The rules give greater rights to consumers who sign contracts in their own homes and offices. They apply UK-wide to homecare providers where self-funded and direct payment users sign homecare contracts in their own homes. This revised version of the article has been issued in reply to members' requests for standard wording that can be inserted into their contracts dealing with the new right to cancel.
We strongly advise reading the article carefully and taking appropriate advice, as without a cooling off period and cancellation rights contracts may be void and providers could be liable to a fine. We anticipate that some providers may wish to consider re-issuing contracts signed in users' homes with the correct terms, depending on circumstances. [ID 251] Download Latest consumer regulations affect homecare providers
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Credit references, late payment and factoring
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
The harsher financial climate and “credit crunch” mean homecare providers need to ensure they receive payment for their services promptly to maintain cash flow and the financial health of their business. Previewed in the January 2009 edition of Homecarer, our new factsheet explores some of the more difficult issues for homecare providers, namely credit references, late payment of debts and debt factoring. [ID 238] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Credit references, late payment and factoring
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Withdrawing a package of care
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
While regrettable, there are occasions when a package of care needs to be terminated. For example, where there are unacceptable risks to the health and safety of care workers or invoices for care remain unpaid. Aimed at independent and voluntary sector homecare providers, our new factsheet offers guidance on the practical steps necessary, and the principles of withdrawing care in a safe, ethical manner. [ID 237] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Withdrawing a package of care
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 Customer Care Resource Guide
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
This resource guide gives information to managers and care workers on identifying who our customers are and what they want. It helps the organisation to think about the service they are providing and to consider what makes this service different from the others therefore ensuring customers purchase services from us rather than anyone else. [ID 204] Download Customer Care Resource Guide
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Health and Safety
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
This fact sheet contains details of the reference material available from the Health and Safety Executive and other sources on a variety of issues relevant to the homecare sector. [ID 260] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Health and Safety
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 Guidance on UK Competition law issues for homecare providers
Competition law prevents homecare providers from anti-competitive behaviour. UKHCA’s recommended solicitors Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP have produced essential guidance on the Competition Act 1998 and its implications for homecare providers planning to act collectively to lobby their local authorities. The guidance is particularly relevant to providers who are campaigning for a fair price for care, as part of UKHCA’s initiative to ensure annual contract increases properly reflect inflation and other cost burdens. [ID 203] Download Guidance on UK Competition law issues for homecare providers
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 A guide to safe recruitment
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Recruitment and retention of staff is a major problem for our industry. Homecare organisations have to seek employees in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
In response to these challenges, training consultant Jennifer Roberts and UKHCA have produced guidance documents, free to download for UKHCA members. [ID 184] Available downloadable versions:
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 A brief commentary by Hazlewoods LLP on the March 2008 Budget
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Chancellor Alistair Darling's first Budget in March 2008 was keenly awaited by businesses and individuals alike.
In his article "No day at the races, but Darling falls at the first", prepared for UKHCA members, Nick Haines of Hazlewoods LLP gives his personal take on the Budget and its effect on businesses and individuals. [ID 183] Download A brief commentary by Hazlewoods LLP on the March 2008 Budget
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 TUPE or not TUPE – a case note from Keelys Solicitors
Further to our article in the January 2008 Homecarer about a UKHCA member who found that TUPE applied unexpectedly after they took on a direct payments arrangement, Keelys Solicitors, who defended the claim for our member, have kindly given us a note about the case.
We strongly advise members to take early advice on TUPE matters. Call our member helpline if you would like to be referred. Members are entitled to a limited amount of free telephone legal advice from either Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP or First Assist as part of their membership.
(Keelys are prepared to discuss the case but this would not be part of our free legal helpline service for members. UKHCA does not have a commercial relationship with them and any subsequent instruction would be under their standard terms and conditions.)
We are very grateful to Keelys and our member for information about the case. [ID 179] Download TUPE or not TUPE – a case note from Keelys Solicitors
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 Changes to private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing in England and Wales
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
We wrote to the Department of Transport recently to clarify whether changes to minicab licensing would affect care workers who take service users out in their own cars. The removal of an exemption from the need for private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing in England and Wales, means that more vehicles have to be licensed in the same way as minicabs. Our letter querying the new rules, which are summarised in the Department for Transport Road Safety Act 2006: Private Hire Vehicles – Guidance Note, and the Department’s reply are below. Broadly the Department says the issue is one for local licensing authorities, but its view is that it is unlikely a court would consider Parliament intended childminders taking children to school would need PHV licences and the same issues apply to care workers taking service users out as part of a care package.
Department for Transport “Road Safety Act 2006: Private Hire Vehicles – Guidance Note. [ID 178] Download Changes to private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing in England and Wales
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 All Change for the New Tax Year
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
It has been almost a year since Gordon Brown's last Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer. A number of his announcements will only come into effect for companies from 1 April, and for individuals, from 6 April this year.
In his article "All Change for the New Tax Year", prepared for UKHCA members, Nick Haines of Hazlewoods LLP provides a refresher and suggests UKHCA members should prepare for the new rules so they can take advantage of any tax savings that can be achieved by structuring in the most efficient way possible before April 2008. [ID 173] Download All Change for the New Tax Year
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 UKHCA Presentation: Some key issues in tendering for homecare services
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
The following presentation covers some of the key issues in submitting a tender to a local authority and is intended to be a brief introduction for organisations submitting a tender for the first time. It can be downloaded as a PowerPoint Show, which provides an animated presentation on a pc running Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003. [ID 171] Available downloadable versions:
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 Tender touch could be key to your business
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
The following is the full article by Jane Orr-Campbell (née Scott), National Care Director of Home Choice Care Ltd, that appeared in the November 2007 edition of Homecarer magazine. For space reasons we were unable to include the full version in Homecarer. We are grateful to Jane for article and kind permission to include it on our website. [ID 170] Download Tender touch could be key to your business
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 Why Homecare Businesses must be prepared for a crisis (Article from September Homecarer 2007)
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Planning ahead for possible disruptions and emergencies might seem to be the pastime of pessimists but for homecare providers it is essential, since disruption to the business could mean serious consequences for people relying on the delivery of care. [ID 157] Download Why Homecare Businesses must be prepared for a crisis (Article from September Homecarer 2007)
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 Supervision leads the way to quality care (Article from July Homecarer 2007)
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Good staff supervision is directly linked to the provision of quality care says Workforce Development Consultant Fran McDonnell, who here describes a new Skills for Care training unit developed to help managers. [ID 158] Download Supervision leads the way to quality care (Article from July Homecarer 2007)
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 Key hazards for domiciliary care staff (Article from March Homecarer 2007)
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Domiciliary care providers are required by law, and their statutory regulators, to pay attention to Health and Safety. This article, by Kate Lovett, Senior Trainer at Edge Services, looks at some fo the hazards that may affect homecare workers. [ID 160] Download Key hazards for domiciliary care staff (Article from March Homecarer 2007)
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 Calculating the Real Costs of Home Care: A Costing Model Version 7.04
The costing model is designed to assist in the calculation of a fair price for the provision of Homecare services. It takes a broad range of operating costs, salaries and other expenses and uses them to calculate a cost per hour of service provision. (You will need Microsoft Excel to use the model.)
You may need to right click on the link and select "Save Target As..." to properly save the file. [ID 98] Download Calculating the Real Costs of Home Care: A Costing Model Version 7.04
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 Calculating the Real Costs of Home Care: A Costing Model (2003) Report and FAQ
The United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) has received financial support from the Department of Health through Section 64 funding to undertake a thorough analysis of the costs of providing Homecare services.
This is a report of the findings. [ID 6] Download Calculating the Real Costs of Home Care: A Costing Model (2003) Report and FAQ
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 It's not for the faint hearted... (Homecarer September 2005)
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
He has an MBA and years of
experience in business. But Steve
Mills found setting up his own
care business a tough challenge. [ID 80] Download It's not for the faint hearted... (Homecarer September 2005)
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 Telecare - is it to be feared or embraced? (Homecarer July 2005)
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
Telecare - the delivery of health and social care using information and communications technology - is a term we are hearing more and more often, including in the recent Green Paper on Adult Social Care for England, Independence, Well-being and Choice. [ID 84] Download Telecare - is it to be feared or embraced? (Homecarer July 2005)
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Managing Finance
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
UKHCA has produced these guidelines for our members. The main aim of the guidelines is to promote best practice and reduce the risks involved when domiciliary services are provided which assist service users to manage their finances and other valuable assets. [ID 258] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Managing Finance
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 UKHCA Factsheet: Risk Assessment
This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.
This factsheet details advice and assistance on risk assessment and should be used in conjunction with the UKHCA Factsheet on Manual Handling. It contains an overview of the subject and useful sources of further information. [ID 256] Download UKHCA Factsheet: Risk Assessment
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