At Unique Senior Care, our guiding principle is “people above all else.” This means we prioritise the well-being of both our clients and our Caregivers. By putting people first, we ensure our Caregivers are equipped and motivated to provide the best possible care to our clients. As a fully managed service, regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), all our Caregivers are directly employed by us. This means we take full responsibility for their recruitment, training, and vetting, which allows us to maintain the highest standards of care and reliability.
The Recruitment Process
Our recruitment journey starts when candidates apply and share their experiences and motivations. Following an initial phone conversation, shortlisted candidates are invited for a face-to-face interview. Each part of our recruitment process assesses their suitability for the role and whether they meet our “Mum Test” – would we trust this person to care for our own family members?
What We Look for in Our Caregivers
We seek carers who are naturally empathetic, patient, and reliable. For our hourly Caregivers, previous experience in care is beneficial but not essential. The most important qualities are a genuine passion for caregiving and a commitment to providing the best possible care. We value kindness, respect, and a strong sense of responsibility in our carers. For our live-in Caregivers, we require at least one year of experience to ensure they can handle the complexities of 24/7 care.
Training Process
We thoroughly prepare and rigorously vet every Caregiver to ensure they provide the best care possible. Our training and vetting process includes several important steps:
- E-Learning Modules: New carers begin with e-learning modules that cover the fundamentals of caregiving and health and safety protocols. This flexible learning approach allows Caregivers to build essential knowledge at their own pace.
- Three-Day Face-to-Face Training: After the e-learning modules, carers attend a comprehensive three-day training session. This award-winning, hands-on training covers personal care techniques, mobility assistance, medication management, and emergency response. Our experienced trainers equip every carer with the best practices in older care, ensuring they are ready to provide high-quality care.
- Care Certificate: New carers must complete their Care Certificate within the first three months of joining. This certificate ensures they have met the nationally recognised standards for care work.
- Meet and Greet with Care Manager: Before starting their role, new carers meet with their Care Manager to discuss the specific needs and preferences of their clients. We meticulously match our caregivers and clients based on shared interests, personalities, and care needs. This meeting helps the carer build a strong working relationship and prepares them to deliver personalised care.
Compliance and Vetting Process
Ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority. As a fully managed service, we take full responsibility for the vetting and training of our carers. This includes:
- Enhanced DBS Checks: All carers undergo thorough background checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, to ensure they have no criminal history that would disqualify them from working in care.
- Reference Checks: We require four references from previous employers and personal referees to verify the applicant’s background and suitability for the role.
- Identity and Right to Work Verification: We verify all applicants’ identity and right to work to ensure they are legally eligible to work in the UK.
- Compliance with CQC Regulations: We design our recruitment and training processes to comply with Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations. This ensures that all Caregivers meet the high standards required to deliver safe and effective care.
- Continuous learning: Our commitment to putting people above all else means supporting our caregivers and clients. For clients, this means our Caregivers are always up-to-date with the latest best practices through regular training and development. This ensures high-quality care tailored to your needs. Continuous learning helps our carers grow their skills and stay motivated, resulting in a dedicated and knowledgeable team ready to deliver exceptional care.
We maintain a structured and supportive recruitment and training process and conduct thorough compliance checks to ensure our Caregivers are well-prepared to deliver the high-quality care our clients deserve. We place great importance on our recruitment process to guarantee the best care. Out of every 80 applicants, we only hire one, reflecting our strong commitment to excellence.
Want to know more about how we ensure quality care? Simply contact us to learn more about our rigorous recruitment process and commitment to excellence. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those we care for.
Lucy is an experienced professional with over 20 years of experience in the care sector. Currently appointed as the Director of People at Unique Senior Care, she is responsible for shaping and overseeing Recruitment, Talent Management, Leaning and Development, Retention and Human Resource strategies. Lucy is accountable for aligning People policies with our strategic business objectives and ensuring a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Lucy has a bachelor’s degree and has held various significant roles, including Talent Acquisition Director at A Wilderness Way, Head of Recruitment at Prestige Nursing & Care, and The Good Care Group. She enjoys impacting the company’s most important resource—its people—and witnessing the positive differences made for clients and colleagues daily.
