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Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find frequently asked questions from about both our Support and Care and Recruitment and Training services. If you cannot find an answer to your question please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Support and Care

We aim to provide that continuity of care and we will work with you in order to provide regular carers and those whom you be happy with. Please note that when you regular carer is off, there may be new carers asked to go for the duration of the time.

The time of your visits will be arranged to suit you. So the time you want your calls will be the time we will send your carer where possible. However delays may be inevitable due to traffic or delays at the clients homes etc.

Yes we will notify you of any changes as and when they happen. This way you will know who is coming to your door and at what time.

You can cancel you call at any time. However we do ask that you please try to give us a minimum of 24 hours notice. We do understand that there are situations out of your control which will mean that you may need to cancel your call at short notice. The only time you will still be charged for your call is if you cancel within 24 hours of the arranged visit time.

At Harbex we offer a range of services, here are a few ideas listed below. However if we have not listed what you require/want, please contact us and ask in person.

  • Morning calls
  • Lunch calls
  • Tea Calls
  • Bed calls
  • Sit in service
  • Shopping
  • Laundry
  • Cleaning
  • Pension Collecting
  • To monitor
  • To prompt medication
  • To shower / bath
  • Company
  • Support in social aspects
  • Support to attend appointments of any kind
  • Support with money and budgeting

We need to know if you want your carer to take you out in their car, as not all of our staff drive and not all of our drivers are insured to take service users out in their car. If you let us know you want a driver who is insured for work use, we can organise a carer who will be able to do this for you.

Yes. Just let us know what you want and when you want it, and we will organise the hours and the carer for you.

Yes. You can ask for an extra call as and when you need extra support.

This question I am unable to answer directly as the cost will depend on what services you want, what times you want and if you are paying for your services directly or through your local council. For an accurate answer to this question, please contact us directly on 0161 746 7711.

Ideally we would prefer not to have control of your keys, but if needed we will. What we advise is for people to get a key code box, where the key is stored and you would need a personal code to open the box. Please be aware that we take confidentiality very seriously and only the staff who need access to the key box would know the number and our staff will not disclose the number to any third party person.

Recruitment and Training

So long as you have up-to-date certificates once your criminal records check and references come back you can do our updates and start to work. If you feel a bit unsure and want to refresh your knowledge, then you can join in on our basic care course.

At Harbex we offer our own training program which covers the basic elements of care and support. Pending what area of health and social care you want to work in, will depend on how much training you will need to do. However if you wish to become a qualified nurse, we are unable to offer you placements as a nurse whilst you are training, but you can join as a regular care assistant.

Yes you can. We have hours that are flexible and you can work as and when you are available. All you will need to do is let us know your availability from week to week.

Yes. Our homecare division, has calls at all times of the day and you can pick up any calls that suit you best.

No, Unfortunately, it is a requirement that you have an enhanced criminal record check for each new place you work.

The Basic Care course is 3 consecutive days of theory and 1 day of practical moving and handling (which is done once your references and criminal record check is back)

The Support work course is 2 consecutive days of theory.

The health and safety update is approximately 1 hour.

The NVQ is a course which you learn at your own pace, so this can take as long or be as quick as you want.

This will depend on what type of work you do. If you are doing homecare or working in a nursing home, then yes you will need a uniform. If you are doing Support work working with people who have learning difficulties, then no you do not need to wear a uniform. If you are a Qualified Nurse, you will need a uniform when you are working.

This is not an easy question to answer, you may be asked to go to several different places, but here are a few areas which you may be providing some support:

  • Peoples own homes
  • Hospitals
  • Supported living houses
  • Residential homes
  • Nursing Homes
  • Community / Day Centres

No. We are an agency, and as such we cannot guarantee you any hours of work. However when you are working if you make a good impression, they will be more likely to request for you, by name, to go back. However if you are a home carer and prove to be reliable and competent, contracts can be offered with guaranteed hours.

This can depend on how many times you have moved home, if you have lived outside of the UK at any point, or how busy the criminal records bureau is. Criminal Record Checks can be returned anytime between 2 weeks to 3 months.

Once you have completed all of your mandatory training requirements or produced to us your certificates, we have received our copy of your Criminal record check and received your two references; you can pick up your ID badge and start work. This process will vary from person to person.

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