CARE HOME SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGING TIMES

Across the care home sector inflation is impacting fee rates in an upward trajectory generally within the self funding arena with social care business BOARDS revisiting their strategic plans on a regular basis to proactively meet the increased caring needs of an ageing population.  Many care home providers with mainly Local Authority funding are also having to consider their funding options in order to balance the books, with third party top ups becoming a topic of conversation in care sector circles.

Against this background the extent of the social care workforce crisis has been well documented with businesses considering various avenues to increase staff recruitment and retention.  Workforce plans are becoming more commonplace as part of scenario planning to implement ‘People at the heart of care,’ prioritising and rewarding staff for their resilience despite external challenges and evolving innovative ways to support staff.

Having witnessed first-hand the true value of expert and professional carers a successful care business stems from a successful and well led team with a viable and sustainable business behind them.  Read on for care home solutions:

The CQC is changing

Care homes and the wider care sector are preparing for the CQC’s evolving strategy and regulatory approach.  Feedback is and will be a vital part of the process to ensure a continuously improving service with individuals at the heart within the ‘Single Assessment Framework.’

Building better data and providing more information about the care provision to the public is all part of the smarter way of operating by the CQC, with much of the information coming from third parties.

Support within the Buyacarehome and Ownacarehome communities

from expert partners is at hand.

They have action plans ready to assist care home providers navigate the changes in Regulatory care, with regulation seeking to provide people in care or seeking care with more up to date information about services on a regular basis.  Demonstrating how a service is improving or could improve can benefit from external consultants and audits strengthening the sustainability of the care service which in turn provides backing for Refinancing and Debt Consolidation.  

Expert care home support is available from the Independent Finance Brokers at Chandler & Co.

The Regulator will make judgements on how an organisation is changing and having care consultants working with a care Board and Registered Manager and/or Nominated Individual can act as an effective soundboard.

How to boost CARE HOME OCCUPANCY

In a recent discussion with Tobi Alli-Usman of Digital Marketing Care Home & Home Care Marketing Agency Services, Smooth Digital, addressing care home occupancy as a ‘constant challenge’ being one that they are experts at ‘taking on.’  

For further care home marketing solutions visit the partners on Buyacarehome and Ownacarehome who look at the strength of a care home’s website profile in addition to reaching out to people seeking care.  A recent meeting with Debbie Harris of Autumna to discuss their latest endeavour (the launch of the WiFi SPARK and D.A.D partnership) demonstrates the agility of business to adapt to the growing marketplace of an ageing population with increasing care needs.

‘Improving a care home customer’s journey’ is vital when strengthening a care home provision’s brand and an area of expertise that Siobhan Stirling of Sharp Minds Communications specialises in ‘showcasing the calibre’ of the care home services and facilities ‘resulting in practical and comprehensive solutions’ which enhance the care home’s brand in the local community and further afield measured by increased occupancy.

Staff Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment has traditionally been a challenge in the care sector with the post pandemic era creating additional pressures.  Only time will tell if the UK Government’s social care reforms will help the care sector but, in the meantime, look again at the insight from Ownacarehome partner Sharp Minds with their fantastic tips on ‘How to create and develop an effective recruitment marketing strategy for your care home.’

Business Governance

With rising energy prices and operating costs for all businesses, having a strong Management and Board of Governance in a care provision remains an important factor for a successful care business whether for profit or not for profit supporting the KLOE WELL LED.

Keeping an eye on cash flow has become more important than ever with the advances in digital bookkeeping supporting businesses to keep up to date and accurate records to assist with monthly Board reporting and Bank mortgage covenant reporting.

To counter the rising cost of energy consider a review of the care home energy costs and an energy refurbishment plan as appropriate.  The care sector Finance Brokers at Chandler & Co support care home owners seeking operational cash for such projects by seeking funding from a wide lender market, able to navigate through a changing economic environment.  Part of good governance is considering the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy with a resurgence of importance within business plans.

For care home businesses seeking to outsource their bookkeeping the accountancy partners on Buyacarehome and Ownacarehome are there to help, all specialists in the care sector.  The advances in digital automation include systems that can automatically pick up invoices and follow up outstanding invoices with full analysis and reports.  Intelligent automation is being increasingly adopted by businesses adding value to the role of the professional accountants and tax consultants.                                                                               

Tax planning and investment remain important subjects for running a business, which in the current climate and reversals of some of the measures announced in the mini-Budget, is no easy task without the help of the professionals.

You can find out more about the support available from the Buyacarehome and Ownacarehome Partners or call Julie Hopkins on 01622 817484 or 07467 507272