A home care company has launched a recruitment drive after opening its doors in Huddersfield.
Caremark (Kirklees), owned and managed by Huddersfield man Duncan Smith, aims to recruit 50 staff – including three office-based workers – by the end of next year.
The company, which is part of the Caremark franchised network of home care operators, gained its Care Quality Commission registration last month (MAY) and is based at Brooke’s Mill in Armitage Bridge.
Mr Smith, who was brought up in Birkby and now lives at Holmfirth, said he was inspired to start the business by the memory of his late grandfather, Dr Murray Affleck, who was a GP in Fartown for many years and also worked at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Mr Smith, a former sales manager for Lindley-based English Card Clothing Company, said: “I wanted to find something that would enable me to make a difference locally.
“This is an opportunity to build a business in Huddersfield and meet a growing need. The sector is growing because of an ageing population and more people wanting to live as independently as possible in their own homes.”
Mr Smith said his aim was to match care worker and client “on a permanent basis” rather than have different care workers visiting.
He said: “The Care Quality Commission is ramping up the inspection criteria and it is more important than ever to keep on top of the changing legislation. The new Care Act, which came in at the beginning of April, introduced new requirements on training and a more rigorous inspection regime.”
Mr Smith, who has appointed Birstall man James Denison as care manager, said Caremark (Kirklees) will initially offer personalised care and support to older adults of all abilities with a view to expanding its range of services as the business grows.
Mr Denison, who has seven years experience in managing both domiciliary care and residential support, said: “I am committed to supporting individuals to live full and happy lives and have a passion for workforce development and ensuring that the staff under my management have the appropriate training and skills in order to provide effective, high quality care and support to individuals within our care.”
Caremark, which was launched in 2005, has 80 offices around the UK, including ones in Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield and Barnsley.
