Community Care Live

Posted by Mark Raw in Childcare Industry

Just got back from the ‘Community Care Live’ show, and I have to say that it was not at all like I expected. It was billed as the biggest care event for the industry and thus a ‘must attend’ event. Disappointingly, I found it somewhat smaller than I had hoped, both in terms of attendees and exhibitors.

However there were a couple of plus points from the show. We ran our first ever advertisement for Harmony Children’s Services in the brochure and it seemed to go down well. From the advert it looks like plenty of people have been checking out the website for more information. The other professionals that I met with and spoke to said it looked good, and felt it gave the message I wanted them to hear ie ‘we aim to run to a family ethos and want a family feel to the home’ – so goal achieved there. We just need to turn that interest and positive feedback into some referrals so all those referred can benefit from our good work.

The other good things that came from this were that an good friend and colleague was able to introduce me to several key people in the industry who were very supportive of what I am doing and the ethos of what Harmony will be. I have been in touch and some good relationships are forming. I am looking forward to them visiting out home and exchanging ideas about how we can make a bigger difference to the children’s lives and continually develop our services for the better.

Some interesting ideas were raised by some of the companies that contacted me after the event. Most interesting was the idea of several smaller providers joining together to put in for larger tenders and giving the bigger providers something to consider. In my opinion it is vital that the smaller providers stick together and work together. However that can be difficult in this competitive time. Should anyone wish to talk about this and how it may work please call me, I am always “on call” for the house, so happy to speak anytime.

Continuing on the subject of shows and exhibitions we are still considering a stand at the ‘Childrens and Young Peoples Show’ in November, if not I will be there anyway.

I have continued to receive words of support and advice, and even request for advice from those on the Residential Care Network site. Thank you.

Harmony is now CHAS approved

Posted by Mark Raw in Harmony Childrens Services

Harmony Children’s Services are pleased to announce that we have been approved by CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme). CHAS is a national organisation dedicated to completing health and safety pre-qualification assessments to a nationally recognised and accepted threshold standard. CHAS assesses applicants on Health and safety policy statement; Their organisation for health and safety; Their specific health and safety arrangements to a standard acceptable to our buyers and to others.

Harmony Children’s Services were assessed by CHAS during April 2011 and ‘passed with flying colours’. For more information about CHAS please see http://www.chas.gov.uk/ target=”_blank”