Reading: Care UK creates 1,350 new jobs as part of £170m growth strategy

An independent-sector health and social care provider is on track to achieve ambitious growth plans that have already created around 870 jobs nationwide. Care UK, based in Reading, expects to create another 480 during the next 12 months as it pushes ahead with a major care-home building programme across the UK. The 1,350 full and part-time jobs include career opportunities for carers and nurses as well as positions in support services and management.

Over the past 15 months, Care UK has opened 10 new, state-of-the-art care homes that represent an investment of approximately £76 million. Another 15 homes are currently, or will shortly be, under construction, bringing with them additional investment estimated to be in excess of £95m.

Many of the new homes will feature day care clubs that provide activity and companionship services for local people who are living in their own homes. Care UK envisages that these complementary services will help to create and support dementia-friendly communities, which are integral to the government achieving its dementia challenge launched by the prime minister in 2012.

Paul Humphreys, group finance director of Care UK, said: “Our programme of new home openings is evidence of the dedication we have to raising standards in the care sector through an investment in our care environments, the services we provide and the people we employ.

“Our new care homes have been specifically designed to meet a wide range of care needs. By creating modern and stimulating environments we can offer older people, who are unable to stay in their own homes, high-quality, personalised care and the support they need to maintain as much independence as possible.

“In two and a half years we have increased our number of care homes beds by 74% and predict that by 2016 we will provide places to more than 8,000 people. Our ability to commit significant resources, combined with attracting substantial investment from our funding partner, show genuine confidence in the expertise and vision of our team.”