People choosing organisations to provide their personal care and support can now do so with more confidence, thanks to a scheme by Wokingham Borough Council’s community care team and West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards Service.

The ‘Support with Confidence’ (SWC) care approval scheme, starter by Oxfordshire County Council and launched in Wokingham Borough under the Putting People First Agenda offers vetted and approved service providers for personal care, support and other tasks. The scheme is open to anyone providing personal care or other support and domestic services and is primarily aimed at those providers who are not obliged to register with the Care Quality Commission, although larger providers are invited to join.

How to join the scheme

To join SWC, there are certain criteria that must be met and applicants must pass a strict vetting process, such as an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau and other safeguarding checks. Applicants must also sign up to a Code of Conduct and undertake training essential to their role before they become an accredited member of the scheme.

Executive member for health and wellbeing at Wokingham Borough Council Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner said: "We are delighted to be launching the SWC scheme in our area. It gives those purchasing care and support services more security when deciding who they want to support them in their homes. The scheme also gives them peace of mind that they can use the scheme’s members with confidence knowing that they have been vetted and have undertaken training to do their job."

A part-time scheme manager with safeguarding expertise has also been appointed to administer the scheme in Wokingham and West Berkshire. Johan Baker, who took up her role on June 6 said: "I am thrilled to be involved with this new scheme. I know from early discussions with providers and service users that the demand is there to make it a success. It is an idea whose time has definitely come as people move to personal budgets."

Anyone wishing to be considered for membership of the scheme or wishing to know more about how it works they should contact trading standards on (01635) 519930 or email supportwithconfidence@westberks.gov.uk

Find out more

To find out more about the scheme please see the Support with Confidence newsletter.