Date of issue: 11th April 2005

DEDICATED SUPPORT FOR CARE HOME OWNERS

A Birmingham firm of chartered accountants has developed a tailored service for residential care and nursing home owners, who face many specialist issues because they operate in such a highly regulated sector.

Joe Bates, a partner at Clement Keys, Birmingham who has 15 years experience in the social care sector heads up the service.

Acting for individual home owners, which are often family-run businesses, as well as mid-sized companies with multiple properties, Joe understands the ins and outs of buying and selling care homes and assists businesses which originally had an unincorporated structure to move to incorporated status.

"The social care sector is subject to some highly complex legislation and since the introduction of the Care Standards Act 2000 there has been an even greater onus on home owners to meet tough new standards," says Joe, who has been honorary treasurer of Olton Grange and The Grove, both charitable care homes in Solihull, since 1996.

"Clients are unable to talk through business issues with their residents, staff, suppliers or the regulatory authorities, so I act as a sounding board while also making sure they are up to date on any significant changes that will affect their business - from corporate and personal tax developments to VAT legislation and alterations to general accounting procedures or disclosure requirements.

A general lack of supply of primary care facilities to meet growing demand - from residential care homes to special needs and acute care facilities - means that local authorities are increasingly relying on private provision. Single property operators, who have little spare cash for the most simple refurbishment works and are already battling red tape, are now struggling to comply with stringent new regulations.

The Care Standards Act has passed responsibility for regulating care services from the local authorities to the new National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) and requires individual care home owners/managers to be registered with the NCSC to ensure they are fit for the role. In addition, employers must meet targets for NVQ assessments to demonstrate they have a competent workforce.

Premises and facilities are also governed by the Care Homes Regulations 2001, which set national minimum standards for health and personal care, environment, daily life and social activities, staffing plus complaints and protection, and take full effect in April 2007.

"The Care Standards Act was well-intentioned in its aims to promote independence, safeguard health and improve residents' quality of life, but has caused real difficulties for smaller operators, whose overriding concern is to abide by the law," adds Joe.

"Take the issue of bedroom door locks. The fire brigade advises against them because they can constitute a hazard, yet the new legislation enshrines the right to privacy. A client recently invested £7,500 in crash locks, but not a single resident has asked for a key.

"Our aim is to help residential care and nursing home operators meet their statutory obligations by providing professional advice, gained through 'hands on' experience in the sector, coupled with a sympathetic ear."