A company which worked throughout the Covid-19 lock-down ensuring care continued to be provided to people in their own homes is seeking to create at least 50 new jobs between now and the end of the year.
Caremark (Kirklees) needs to almost double its current staff numbers to meet the increased demand for its homecare services.
This demand has been driven by the company’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the desire for people to remain in their own homes, rather than going into residential care.
This is backed by statistics* in a recent pilot study gathered out by Public Health England which suggested that giving and receiving care at home was a safer alternative to working in or living in a care home during the crisis.
The preventative measures Caremark (Kirklees), which has its head office at Armitage Bridge, took from March onward, when the scale of the pandemic became clear and the Government lock-down first came into effective, meant that none of its staff and customers contracted Covid-19.
Duncan Smith, Managing Director of Caremark (Kirklees), said: “We had to act quickly to ensure our customers could continue receiving care at home during the lock-down, whilst following Public Health guidelines to ensure they, and our staff, remained safe.
“It was pleasing that no staff or customers contracted Coronavirus, although even with many restrictions now lifted, we continue to follow Government guidelines and are not resting on our laurels.
“We have had a very positive response from customers and their families for the way we worked and will continue to work, and this has resulted in more enquiries for our home care services.
Caremark (Kirklees) recently took on a new Care Manager, Jennifer Wood, to support the growth plans. Jennifer has worked in home care for almost 25 years, starting as a carer and working her way up to management.
Duncan’s wife Fiona has also joined the senior management team as Recruitment Manager.
Duncan added: “We currently employ 60 people and our aim is to increase this by at least ten a month from August so that by the end of the year our staff numbers will have almost doubled.
“This will then enable us to take on more work, either through Kirklees Council or privately funded care, and extend into new areas of Kirklees.”
“We are a local company employing local people and our mission is to provide a local service which can make a difference to those who have chosen to remain in their own home.”
People interested in working for Caremark (Kirklees) can telephone 01484 211281.
