Countywide Caring is an independent business established in 2008. Based in Warborough, Oxfordshire, we provide care and support services across South Oxfordshire.
The company was founded by registered nurse Heidi Kennedy. A specialist in community nursing, Heidi had a clear vision of what a care service needs to provide for its users. She continues to have a hands-on role in managing Countywide Caring and has now accumulated over 20 years’ experience in nursing, care home management, district nursing and teaching of care staff.
Our philosophy
Our overriding belief is that a care service can – and should – have a hugely positive effect on people’s lives. Good care not only improves the day-to-day lives of the service user, but also that of their families. Having confidence that a loved one will be well supported and cared for is often an enormous relief for the family.
Since our inception, our mission has therefore been to provide a first-rate care and domestic support service that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual. We strive to promote dignity, privacy, rights and choice, helping our clients maintain maximum quality of life and independence in their own home environment.
Our working practice
Meeting our goals starts with a shared vision and pride in our work; one that runs through the whole company. Our Outstanding CQC report, following an inspection in September 2017, commented that we, ‘promoted a strong culture that valued everyone involved and constantly strived to look for innovative ways to improve the service.’
As a service, we can only be as good as our caring staff. We are thorough in our careful selection procedure, and want to empower our staff through their continued development. We recognise that training is an ongoing commitment and we actively seek to develop our staff’s experience. One staff member said to CQC: ‘The training has been excellent and really helpful, I know I use it in my practice.’ We are currently rolling out a programme of Leadership and Management skills training across all members of staff.
Another key part of our approach is our investment in staff training. The company meets the standards set out by the Skills for Care Council, Skills for Care and Development in the Common Induction Standards 2005. We recognise that training is an ongoing commitment and actively seek to develop our staff’s experience. According to CQC: ‘Staff were very positive about the support they received from the management team and felt valued.’
To find out more about our services or company, please get in touch.