Lifeways Community Care, a leading provider of supported living for people with complex needs, is embarking on a major expansion programme of its services throughout 2010, following an exceptional year of growth.
The company, which offers specialist care and support to more than1,250 people with complex needs in their own home or a community setting, has recently acquired Lancashire-based Clover Care and Home Support Services in Inverness. The company acquired west country-based Kentwood in 2008.
In addition, Lifeways successfully secured 16 new contracts with local authorities, delivering annualised sales revenues of over £12 million to the business. The company also achieved success through the appointment onto 13 new Framework agreements, as well as retaining approval on all existing Frameworks across the UK.
Now Lifeways has proposals for further growth for the company, which has seen a restructuring of its senior management team, a £1 million investment in IT and additional support ploughed into HR, training and development and quality.
At the same time, it has improved the quality of its services, having been awarded OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety and ISO 14001 for its environmental management systems, and being re-awarded ISO 9001 for quality business management.
Lifeways Chief Executive Paul Marriner: “We ended 2009 with two acquisitions and are now planning further growth, building on the solid foundations we have laid. We now have more than 3,000 staff and will continue to support and recognise the valuable contribution they make. We recently held our first-ever awards recognising staff who have worked with us for five years or more and look forward to their continuing support.”
Among the company's many plans for 2010, as highlighted in its Annual Review now available on the website, is a year-long partnership with social care charity In Control to roll out the ‘Putting People First and Personalisation' agenda throughout its services. A new video about Lifeways is also available online.
Lifeways offers care and support to people with complex needs, including individuals with learning disabilities, autism, challenging behaviour, mental health issues and acquired brain injuries. As well as providing supported living services, it also offers residential care, respite care, short break services and transitional support.