A TAVISTOCK-based company which carries out vital work with some of the most vulnerable members of the community has started the New Year with a bang ? its has gained the coveted Investors in People Award, and a glowing report from industry inspectors. Devon and Cornwall Care Services (DACCS) evolved when Pauline Hilton, a qualified nurse, NVQ assessor and counsellor, took over an existing domiciliary care provider in the Tavistock area in 2003. ?Basically we do everything we can to enable a person to remain living in their own home,? said Pauline. ?Whether it?s personal care like washing, making breakfast, cleaning, cooking, social care, taking people swimming, taking them shopping, sitting with a service client while their carer takes some time off ? the list is endless.? The people who use DACCS come as private individuals or can be referred by Social Services or one of the other agencies with which the company works. Gaining Investors in People status was ?very important? said Pauline. ?We worked very hard for it and I think it has made a real difference to us.? Samantha Clarke, care manager at DACCS, said: ?We had to put in place all the necessary procedures to look after the girls who work for us. It?s all about human resource issues really, to make the company a company you really want to work for.? The company?s high standards have earned it an excellent report from the Commission for Social Care Inspectors, a body which makes sure users are getting the type of high-quality care they need. ?On our first inspection they awarded us threes in every one of the 28 categories ? that score hasn?t been equalled by any other company in the area ? we were over the moon,? said Samantha. Now the company is looking to expand. DACCS already has about 20 members of staff ? they are now looking to fill the equivalent of five more full time posts by April.
