The You Care I Care Advisory Service is designed to support individuals or families who are trying to access care for a loved one – of any age – and needs professional guidance and support. It’s designed to suit all circumstances and budgets.
In many ways a service like this should not even be necessary, however the social care system is so complex in the UK that it’s hard to know your options, know your rights, get funding, know when you are entitled to funding and when you are not. It can also be difficult to even know what good care looks like and it can be difficult to navigate the various organisations involved. It’s highly emotional and having someone to advocate on your behalf can be truly helpful.
With my 20 plus years’ experience in social care, I can offer support myself and may sometimes bring in others with specialist support or experience. This will be discussed with you in full if relevant.
Founded with a passion for enhancing the lives of individuals with care and support needs, our team, led by the Director, Janet Shreeve, is committed to delivering personalised solutions for both care businesses and individuals seeking quality care services.
You Care, I Care Light Touch:
The first level of support is remote support for those who just need a little guidance in terms of tips, hints and the ability to ask questions and it’s designed for those who want some professional guidance and cannot afford – or don’t need – any 1-2-1 support.
The cost is £15 plus VAT per month, you sign up for a minimum of three months and you can stop at any time after that three months with 30 days’ notice. You will be invoiced in advance and asked to set up a standing order or direct debit. This will really help those who want a little help while, perhaps, securing care for the first time but you are confident with a little knowledge you can manage arranging your own care needs.
For this you will be added to a Whats App/Facebook group where you can access resources answering the most frequently asked questions. You can ask any questions and I will answer them within a few days via those groups (or via email) or I will do a video answering that question for the benefit of all in the group.
Group members can also ask for support from each other. This level is subject to a ‘fair use’ policy which means that no one member should need me or my expertise for more than 30 mins per month. If it goes beyond that then charges may apply.
You will also get a discount on any 1-2-1 hours you might need of ten per cent on my normal hourly rate. As the group grows we may – depending on geography – arrange an occasional meet up which will simply cover costs.
You Care, I Care Hands On:
This level of support will require my personal attention from me or an expert I appoint and can involve anything from one intense hour right through to several days’ support depending on needs. It usually takes at least an hour to simply understand someone’s circumstances and needs.
An hour’s support could be remote, an intense personal discussion about circumstances and a basic written plan to offer next steps. Or it could be a plan which a client wants me to deliver to support their loved one.
It could also mean that I get involved when care has been secured and then things go wrong – and that happens a lot even when everything seems to be in place. Nothing in social care is straightforward and needs can change overnight or the care landscape you’ve crafted so carefully can implode through no fault of your own.
As it’s very difficult to put a price on how long each project will take, I charge £75 plus VAT per hour (or part thereof) upfront. I will estimate the number of hours required, charge that amount and will deliver on receipt of payment.
If the scope of work expands then a further invoice will be sent later on with all relevant expenses added.
Please note, any planned unsocial hours during evenings (after 6pm and up to 8am) and weekends will be charged at £99 plus VAT per hour or part thereof.
If an emergency occurs which requires my attention immediately with less than 48 hours’ notice so that I have to change my diary – or the diary of a trusted partner – very quickly that hourly rate will rise to £150 plus VAT per hour or part thereof. Although this is rare it can happen and it will inconvenience me and other clients so pricing reflects that.
Please note expenses are also subject to VAT and could include travel time at £25 plus VAT per hour and accommodation expenses if relevant.