At CCH, we believe in championing the future of care, ensuring that the voices of providers and frontline teams are heard. That’s why we were proud to be part of a vital discussion at Portcullis House, organised by the Skills for Care London CEO Network.

Our Operations Director, Sarah Kwofie, represented CCH, joining key policymakers, including Helen Morgan MP (Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health & Social Care), Munira Wilson MP (MP for Twickenham, covering Education and Children), and Alison Bennett MP (Spokesperson for Care and Carers). The discussion centred on the challenges facing adult social care in London.

Alison Bennett acknowledged that social care often happens “behind closed doors”, meaning it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves until people need it. Helen Morgan reaffirmed that the Liberal Democrats are committed to professionalising the sector.

Reflecting on the conversation, Sarah Kwofie shared:

“Care is the backbone of our communities. If it’s at risk, so are the millions who rely on it to live with dignity and independence. The sector needs fair funding and real recognition of the vital role care plays in people’s lives. It was encouraging to see policymakers engage and show concern for the sector. I felt that they do care for the people, as we do, and left feeling hopeful that real solutions will come to the table.”

At CCH, we remain committed to working collaboratively with sector leaders, policymakers, and organisations like Skills for Care to ensure that adult social care gets the investment, recognition, and support it truly deserves.

There’s a knock on the door. It’s Jenny, radiating positivity, ready with a joke and a warm reassuring hand. When your care professional is happy, you know they’ll bring their best self to work every day.

That’s the philosophy at Westminster’s CCH branch, where a people-first approach has transformed not just employee satisfaction but care outcomes too. They have shown that caring for our teams is not only the right thing to do but a proven strategy.

Two care professionals hugging

To uncover the secret to their success, we spoke with Kirkland McKay, Westminster Branch Manager (and local CCH superstar).

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By fostering the best culture in care, we are strengthening our branch and a shaping a brighter future for care as a whole. I couldn’t be prouder of my team and the incredible support they provide to one another and the people we serve every day.”

But what does “people first” look like in practice and how does it translate into real results? Let’s take a look at Westminster’s playbook.

The secret to Westminster’s Success

“We bring our teams close together”

  • Weekly Check-ins: Regular one-on-one conversations help address challenges early, ensuring care professionals feel supported before frustrations take root. Result: A more motivated, empowered workforce with stronger trust in leadership.
  • Care Professional Social Evenings: Informal gatherings where staff can relax, eat together, connect, and celebrate their shared purpose. Result: Strengthened bonds and a deep sense of community.
  • A Warm, Welcoming Office Culture: Every visit to the office includes a friendly smile, an offer from the office for tea or coffee, and genuine appreciation. Result: Small gestures create a ripple effect, reinforcing that every team member is valued.

“We support our people to grow”

  • Monthly Workshops: Care professionals lead skill-sharing sessions, encouraging learning and collaboration. Result: Increased ownership, pride, and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Many team members are enrolled in Level 3 and higher apprenticeships, with hands-on support from management. Result: Career progression that is actively facilitated.
  • Internal Promotions: Commitment to promoting from within ensures hard work is recognised and rewarded. Result: Long-term investment in team members’ futures, boosting retention and morale.

“We recognise exceptional care”

  • Monthly recognition: Every month a “Care Professional of the Month” certificate is given and the winners have the chance of attending an epic regional celebrations. Result: Recognition inspires excellence and reinforces a culture of appreciation.
  • Regular shout outs: The team uses CCH Connect to regularly showcase and celebrate their people. Result: Allows the team to feel seen and valued.

And the results are in

Westminster’s people-first approach hasn’t just built a strong team, it’s driven exceptional business outcomes:

  • Punctuality & Duration Compliance: 20% improvement.
  • Weekly Branch Hours: Grew from 2,800 to an impressive 3,700.
  • ECM Percentages: Surged to 99%
  • Retention: Improved by 7% over the past year.

These outstanding results haven’t gone unnoticed. Dementia advisor commissioners now call Westminster the best-performing branch since their contract with London Care began. Westminster Local Authority has also consistently praised their domiciliary care and day centre services, delivering exceptional feedback quarter after quarter.

Building a better future for care

Westminster is living proof of CCH Group’s vision: when you put people first, care professionals thrive, service users flourish, and business soars.

To those wondering if a people-first approach is worth it, Westminster’s story delivers the answer loud and clear: it’s not just worth it, it’s essential.

We’re thrilled to share that our very own Fiona Ford, Head of Quality – North, has been appointed as a Trustee Director on the Executive Board of Scottish Care.

Scottish Care is the leading voice for independent social care providers across Scotland. As a Trustee Director, Fiona will help shape the strategic direction of Scottish Care, championing the needs of care providers and the people they support.

Being part of their Executive Board enables Fiona to influence the Government, regulators, and commissioners – demonstrating just how much her expertise and passion for quality care are valued across the sector. This role also gives Fiona the chance to share insights from her work with CCH Group, putting us right at the heart of discussions about the future of care in Scotland.

Fiona had this to say about her new role:

“I’m thrilled to join Scottish Care’s Executive Board and represent the amazing work we do in the care sector. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference, and I’m looking forward to bringing fresh ideas and developing my skills further to support our teams and the people we care for.”

Congratulations, Fiona – your appointment reflects not only your outstanding commitment to improving the lives of those we care for, but also CCH Group’s ability to drive meaningful change for everyone who receives care. Your appointment is a win for Scottish Care, CCH Group, and communities we support every day.

Chosen from over 4,500 nominations, Melrose impressed judges with her compassion and excellence in care coordination. They praised her as “an incredible example of compassion in action, setting the standard for care coordination”.

With 23 years in the care sector, Melrose has worked across learning disabilities, special needs, and care homes, rising from team leader to manager before transitioning into domiciliary care eight years ago. As a Care Coordinator, she works closely with families, social workers, and GPs – advocating for those without a voice and ensuring people-first care for individuals of all ages.

Melrose’s passion for care stems from childhood, where she cared for her hearing-impaired grandmother. “I learned sign language and made sure she felt valued and understood,” she recalled.

Winning this award is a milestone for Melrose, who remains humble as she prepares for the national finals in Birmingham in March 2025.

“Whether I win or not, I know I’ve touched lives, and that’s what matters most.”

Melrose, you inspire us all. Good luck in the finals!

Prabhjot Atwal, the registered manager for Rosemary House, Willow House, and Newcroft House extra care schemes in Brent, has been honoured with the Manager of the Year award at this year’s regional Extraordinary Care Awards in London.

Prabhjot’s leadership across these busy extra care schemes – delivered by our London Care team, part of CCH Group – has earned her recognition for her outstanding contribution to supporting her teams in Brent.

Following her award win, Prabhjot’s successes have led to her promotion to Area Manager, highlighting the unique progression opportunities that we offer as part of our people-first agenda and commitment to developing talent within our organisation. Her team expressed their admiration, saying, “Even though Prabhjot manages three busy extra care schemes, she’s always willing to support in a crisis and get things back on track. She is a huge support to the region, and we are lucky to have her!”

The Extraordinary Care Awards attracted over 2,000 semi-finalists, celebrating the best of the UK care sector. CCH Group’s inaugural ceremonies across the country culminated in a national event in York, where regional winners like Prabhjot were recognised for their exceptional commitment – ensuring they are celebrated for the life-changing work they do each day.

We’ve always known that CCH Group has the best people in the business – a truly world-class frontline team. Their passion, dedication, and professionalism inspire us daily, and now, the world is taking notice too.

We’re beyond excited to announce that eight of our amazing team members have been shortlisted for the prestigious Great British Care Awards! If they win, they’ll be off to the Nationals. We couldn’t be prouder.

Without further ado, let’s meet our incredible finalists:

Karen Marchington
Barnstaple – Homelife Carers
Home Care Worker Award, South West

DP Care Team
Telford – Complete Care Amegreen
Care Team Award, Wales

Melrose Harding
Southwark – London Care
Home Care Coordinator Award, London

Smith Oshodin
Glasgow – Mochridhe
Care Newcomer Award, North East and Scotland

Emma Dixon
Newcastle – Careline Homecare & North Tyneside – Comfort Call
Home Care Registered Manager, North East and Scotland

Viola Jirira
Finchley Camden – MiHomecare
Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award, London

Jacqueline Woods
Cumbernauld – Constance Care
Home Care Registered Manager, North East and Scotland

Debbie Ross
Whitehaven – Human Support Group
Home Care Registered Manager, North West

We wish you all luck as you take on the regional awards. Everyone at CCH Group will be cheering you all on!

In light of growing pressures on public funding, CCH Group is proud to be working closely with local authorities across the UK to enhance how we handle care calls cancelled by clients. Together, we’re exploring new, more efficient ways to report cancellations in real time and monitor the length of care visits as they happen. Using our sector-leading digital care platform, we can share vital data instantly – allowing our local authority partners and frontline teams to make faster, more informed decisions.

These partnerships are already delivering meaningful cost savings for local authorities, helping us to make sure our vital services are directed where they are needed. Sarah Kwofie, our Operations Director for London and the South, explains: “Using real-time data to tackle repeat cancellations means we’re not only saving money for our local authority partners but also making sure our care teams are focused on those who need them most. It’s about being more responsive and more effective with our care.”

At CCH Group, we know how important it is to be mindful of the challenges our public partners face. This project not only supports our broader mission to reach everyone in need of care, ensuring no one is left behind, but by empowering our staff and maximising our resources we’re strengthening the vital role of care in our communities.

In a bold step towards our vision of becoming the best place to work in care, CCH Group has unveiled an innovative Refer a Friend (RAF) scheme, revolutionising the way our employees recommend friends and colleagues to join the organisation.

Recognising the need for smoother, more efficient processes, teams from across the Group came together to transform the RAF experience into a streamlined, digital solution. “As a People First company, we weren’t satisfied with the previous process,” explained Michael Barrie, Head of Transformation. “So, we worked with different teams to create a solution that puts our people at the centre.”

Our new RAF scheme promises to deliver a seamless experience, ensuring employees are updated at every stage. David Leese, Care Professional Recruitment Manager, emphasised the significance of the digital overhaul: “Before, the RAF process was handled manually, which could cause delays due to the sheer volume of referrals. Now, with our new system through our CCH Connect staff app, everything is faster, more transparent, and no referral gets overlooked.”

“It’s simple, fast, and designed with our teams in mind,” added David.

This cutting-edge RAF scheme is more than just a tool for referrals – it’s a key element of CCH Group’s ongoing mission to create a supportive and growth-driven workplace. By making it easier for our employees to bring in people they trust, we are building a sense of community while rewarding our workforce.

With the revamped RAF programme now live, employees have the perfect opportunity to refer friends, enjoy bonus payments, and play a role in building an even stronger, more connected CCH family.

In an inspiring new partnership, Bunmi Johnson, one of our Regional Managers, and his team of dedicated care professionals in Southwark have teamed up with the London Borough of Southwark to empower the community through the Community Health Ambassadors Network. This initiative, designed to improve local health and wellbeing, aligns with our core values of courage, community, and heart.

As part of this collaboration, care professionals in Southwark will serve as Community Health Ambassadors, providing essential, accurate information on public health issues, vaccines, mental health, and wellbeing to their networks. By acting as trusted sources within their communities, these ambassadors will help to dispel myths, break down barriers to healthcare, and ensure that the experience of local residents are shared.

In support of this initiative, we are opening two of our extra care schemes – Tayo Situ House and Lime Tree House – as spaces for hosting health events and discussions. These spaces will become hubs for engagement, helping our teams build a stronger sense of community and shared responsibility for health and wellbeing in Southwark.

Bunmi commented, “We are proud to be part of a project that embodies our values and makes a tangible difference in the lives of people in Southwark. By partnering with Southwark Council, we are not only supporting our community but also providing our experienced Care Professionals with the opportunity to lead and inspire. This initiative brings us one step closer to our vision of creating the best place to work in care, where compassion and leadership go hand in hand.”

This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to courageously tackling health challenges, building meaningful connections within the communities we support, and ensures that every action we take is driven by heart. Together, CCH Group and London Borough of Southwark are making a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of communities in London.

Our leadership credentials as a people-first care company continue to grow with the recent achievements of both Ross McCrann and Gbemisola Akinyemi, who have each been recognised for their outstanding leadership.

Our Preston branch has long thrived under the impressive leadership of Ross McCrann. Always driven by a passion for growth, Ross embarked on a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, further cementing his expertise. He was then specially invited to join the prestigious Mary Seacole Award for Leadership Programme, a remarkable feat typically reserved for NHS leaders. Despite the programme’s intense demands – lasting an additional six months, requiring online studies, all-day workshops, 24 contribution assignments, and a significant final paper – Ross excelled, emerging with the coveted award. “Although intense, it was an opportunity for me to develop my leadership skills further that I could not pass. Being the best leader possible for my team will ensure that they always get the support they need,” Ross said, reflecting on his journey.

Margaret McDonald, Regional Manager, commended Ross: “I’m proud of Ross’s drive to continually reach new heights. Leaders like Ross are the reason we are the number one care company in the sector.”

In addition, Gbemisola Akinyemi, our Regional Manager in London, recently joined Ross in earning the prestigious Mary Seacole Award for Leadership. Reflecting on this significant milestone, Gbemisola shared, “Graduating from the Mary Seacole NHS Leadership Programme in healthcare is the start of a new chapter in compassionate, resilient, and purposeful leadership. It shows my dedication to growth and my future as a leader who is ready to help my teams and individuals succeed in healthcare and beyond.” Her words resonate with the essence of our company vision – building the best place to work in care. Gbemisola’s success adds to our leadership foundation, driving home our commitment to nurturing compassionate leaders who prioritise the well-being of both their teams and the people we care for.

Together, Gbemisola and Ross represent the strength of our leadership and embody the passion that thrives in a company that truly puts people first. Their achievements reflect our continued dedication to growth, leadership, and providing exceptional care while building a culture where our employees can grow into the best versions of themselves.