Homecare company seeks to create 50 jobs by end of the year

A Huddersfield company which worked throughout the lockdown ensuring care continued to be provided to people in their own homes is seeking to create at least 50 new jobs between now and the end of the year.

Caremark (Kirklees) needs to almost double its current staff numbers to meet the increased demand for its homecare services.

This demand has been driven by the company’s response to the pandemic and the desire for people to remain in their own homes, rather than going into residential care.

Preventative measures taken by Caremark (Kirklees) from March onward, when the scale of the pandemic became clear, meant none of its staff and customers contracted Covid-19.

Duncan Smith, managing director, said: “We had to act quickly to ensure our customers could continue receiving care at home during the lockdown, whilst following Public Health guidelines to ensure they, and our staff, remained safe.

“It was pleasing that no staff or customers contracted Coronavirus, although even with many restrictions now lifted, we continue to follow Government guidelines and are not resting on our laurels.

“We have had a very positive response from customers and their families to the way we worked and will continue to work, and this has resulted in more enquiries for our home care services.”

The company recently took on a new care manager, Jennifer Wood, to support its growth plans. Wood has worked in home care for almost 25 years, starting as a carer and working her way up to management.

Duncan Smith’s wife Fiona has also joined the senior management team as recruitment manager.

He added: “We currently employ 60 people and our aim is to increase this by at least ten a month from August so that by the end of the year our staff numbers will have almost doubled.

“This will then enable us to take on more work, either through Kirklees Council or privately funded care, and extend into new areas of Kirklees.”