We wanted to share our growing concerns about the increasing use of unregulated homecare delivered by self-employed personal assistants (PAs) and “micro-providers.” Recent national reports have highlighted the significant risks this presents to vulnerable adults including the absence of safeguarding oversight, DBS checks, supervision, or training standards. These unregulated arrangements also make it difficult for GPs and community health teams to delegate clinical tasks safely.

The Homecare Association have written  to Stephen Kinnock MP Minister of State for Social Care  which goes into more detail about the worrying rise in “PAs”.

At Home Instead Ruislip & Harrow, we are a CQC-regulated provider, and we work closely with local health partners to ensure that every client receives care under robust governance and quality assurance. Importantly, we are able to deliver delegated healthcare tasks, such as medication administration, wound care, or catheter support when these are delegated by a GP or district nurse, ensuring clinical standards and accountability are maintained.

In addition to our regulated care, we are proud to provide:

A Nail Care Service, helping to maintain dignity, comfort, and mobility for older adults.

The Raizer Chair Service, offering rapid, safe assistance after a non-injury fall reducing ambulance calls and unnecessary hospital admissions.

We are also deeply involved in community wellbeing initiatives, including our partnership with the London Borough of Hillingdon, running 18 free Dementia Library Sessions each month, and our monthly Community Club at St Martin’s Church Hall (second Wednesday of every month, 2 pm – 4 pm). These sessions provide social connection, respite for carers, and early access to professional support.

As stakeholders in adult social care, your role is vital in signposting patients and families to safe, regulated care. We would welcome opportunities to collaborate further for example, around delegated healthcare, early intervention for at-risk individuals, or attendance at our community sessions.

Thank you for your continued support of safe, high-quality care for older adults in our area.