Issue 1 2020

Acquisition International - Issue 1 2020 31 Sep19529 Contact: Nichola Overington Company: Overington Care Ltd Telephone: 07943 030639 Email: nichola@overing- toncareltd.co.uk Well-being might be a new concept to some, but to the people of Overington Care, it’s a guiding light. Well-being is why they excel in providing care and support to those struggling with everyday activities. From bathing to medications, to cleaning, this principle underpins every activity undertaken, engaging the client, giving them control and encouraging a kind approach to them as well. The use of well-being has certainly had an impact on the staff, with their care receiving a CQC rating of ‘Outstanding’ in August 2019. This is no doubt a result of the bespoke and person-centred support that clients receive. The way in which staff conduct themselves, how they behave, support and talk with clients is one of the many reasons behind the company’s success. Far from removing agency, clients can retain control and a feeling of safety. Through careful conversation, staff are able to agree how much support is required by each client, from 30 minutes a day to 24/7 coverage. It’s such a personalised system, specific to each individual, and requires a level of honesty that can only be gained with trust. W Running domiciliary care services in Devon, Overington Care specialise in offering comprehensive well-being centred support to the elderly. We caught up with them to find out more. Simply Outstanding Care Well-being does not just apply to the clients, however, with family members commenting on how good the service was. The responsiveness of Overington Care is shown in the flexibility shown by different parts of the organisation, from the Manager to the Health Care Assistants. It is the ability of this small company to respond in an agile and respectful manner that sets it apart from its competitors, while also offering something slightly unique to avoid competition. Overington Care are not totally responsible for a client’s well-being, however, with local GPs and hospice nurses available for consultation if a client requires special attention. This well-being-based approach to client care has proven to be a massive success for Overington Care, allowing for tailored responses to individuals. It’s part of the reason that Overington will soon be expanding out of its origins as a support agency and into something much broader in outlook. Often full to capacity, the plan is for Overington Care to move into new premises, complete with a retail unit, training centre, community hub and new care home. This has gained traction and will provide a place where individuals in the community can access free services and reduce the risk of isolation. It’s a big move on the part of Overington Care, but one which serves the needs of the community. Currently there is no need to expand the client base because they don’t have the capacity to meet demand. This will be met by the new premises, but more staff will have to be employed to staff it. This too is in hand, with advertising put in several locations across the local area including the cinema, doctor’s surgery and hospital. The hope is that quality individuals can be found allowing new young carers can be trained into the industry. With these plans in place, it looks like the influence of Overington Care is only set to increase in influence and stature over the South-West. An aging population means that having these systems in place will be a boon to the locals of the area and to the company. Placing well-being first might be a new concept, but it’s working well for Overington Care. “The hope is that quality individuals can be found allowing new young carers can be trained into the industry.”