Private care provider Regard Group named as finalist in LaingBuisson 2017 Awards

Private care-provider Regard has been named as a finalist in the LaingBuisson 2017 Awards which reward adult social care organisations for high quality care and continuous improvement.

The Regard Group, the UK’s fourth biggest private care provider, has been shortlisted in the ‘supported living’ category for excellence in specialist care for people with physical or learning disabilities or mental health problems.

The LaingBuisson awards, regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the health and social care sector, will be presented in London on November 15, with all nominations having been assessed by an independent and objective panel of judges.

Regard’s CEO, Sandie Foxall-Smith, said: “The LaingBuisson awards provide an independent endorsement of the quality of the service we deliver and we’re delighted to have been selected as finalists.

“In the past 12 months we have opened 12 new services which we were able to fill very quickly due to the careful monitoring of and targeted response to local authorities’ demands.

“We now have 65 supported living services in total supporting 395 people. We plan to open and fill 12 more services by early 2018.

“Our long-term vision is to be market leader and focus on growth in the provision of evidence-based services for vulnerable adults with learning difficulties, mental health disorders and other complex needs.”

New services include Caeronnen in Ceredigion, which provides independent accommodation for up to six people; Bishop’s House in King’s Lynn, offering six studio flats, and Blue Cottage near Sittingbourne, which accommodates six

Regard was formed in 1994 and now has a staff of over 2,600 operating at 159 sites around the country. It supports more than 1,200 people, helping them to live their lives to the full and as independently as possible.

Regard’s operating profitability has grown since 2014 due to a combination of organic growth, new openings and a merger with ACH. Its most recent acquisitions are nine new Shropshire-based centres, previously operated by Adelphi.

The 12^th LaingBuisson awards evening will be hosted by writer, broadcaster, former MP and Government Whip Gyles Brandreth and will take place at a gala evening at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.