Welcome
By Leigh McDonald
Welcome to McDonald Homecare
Leigh and Anila McDonald, Directors of McDonald Homecare.
Anila and I have worked in the care sector for over 25 years, both in the UK and New Zealand. Before starting McDonald Homecare, I worked with the UK’s largest care franchise, helping develop quality live-in care services.
I love being able to offer a personal approach with McDonald Homecare. Every client of ours is unique, with different needs, life experiences and beliefs. Understanding these things is fundamental to how we provide great live-in care.
In the past, we have seen our own family members move into residential care. In the process, giving up their home, much of their independence and sometimes their pets too.
We founded McDonald Homecare to help give families and their loved ones a cost-effective alternative. One that gives choice and control over their care and support, in the comfort of their own home.
How It Began
My career in care began working with a group of young adults in New Zealand with profound mental and physical disabilities. This pioneering community-based care for young adults is where my passion for community-based care services comes from.
In 2001 I worked as a live-in care worker when I first came to the UK. Having first-hand experience has been invaluable in understanding how to support care workers in what is really a job like no other. From setting up and settling a package of care, to understanding what characteristics, skills and personality traits make a great live-in care worker.
In 2012 I joined the head office of the UK’s largest care franchise network, helping their franchisees develop live in care services. From this I really learned what it takes to manage live-in care services well. There are many important things to get right, from finding that match, to understanding the family dynamics, clear communication and all the other nuances that help things click into place.
One of the great things about this job is that no two packages of care are ever the same, each one is as unique as the individuals involved and you learn something from every single one.
Our Commitment To You
We match you to one of our trusted, professional carers. By working directly with you, not only do you have greater flexibility over your care but it’s more affordable too. Based on our recent local price research, on average you will save £400 per week by working directly with the carer.
We will always be on hand to support and advise you and create a great working relationship. We have long standing relationships with many care workers that have proven themselves in providing excellent care. With over 25 years in the care sector, we’ve also developed a highly selective recruitment process.
All our carers have extensive live in care experience, from companionship to complex dementia care. They are fully checked and vetted to Care Quality Commission standards. This includes Enhanced DBS checks, a full work history, multiple professional references and verified up-to-date training.
On top of all the mandatory and regulatory compliance checks, we look for people who are naturally caring, compassionate and uphold our values of trust and integrity, that are essential to live in care.
If you’d like to know more about the process of setting up live-in care, read our article on How Live-In Care Works