Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an increasingly important aspect of business leadership in recent years. As society becomes more conscious of the impact that businesses have on the environment, communities, and stakeholders, leaders are expected to take responsibility for their actions and make a positive difference in:

• Setting the Vision:
• Leading by Example:
• Engaging Stakeholders:
• Measuring and Reporting:

Policy

Accountability is a significant aspect of leadership at The Care Worker Agency, so leaders are expected to take accountability for their actions and the actions of the organisation.

The Homecare market is witnessing a significant growth in the industry. This is due to an increasing demand for good homecare services. Homecare refers to a lot of different aspects of care, ranging from washing and dressing, assisting with dietary needs and medication or just solely some companionship or a visit to a medical appointment or to the hairdressers.

The Market for homecare has seen a massive expansion rate more recently since the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside people living longer due to the advanced treatments that are readily available. Homecare services are supplied and provided with experienced care or support staff.

Within our area of Southport we are one of the largest retirement towns, hence the amount of local competitors. Some areas for the council are devised into area numbers for tendering purposes. The Care Worker Agency is on the spot provider contract for the local authority and the local Primary Care Trust. The requirements for the local council is to be registered with the regulating bodies for the care sector, The Care Quality Commision, Valid Liability insurance, Employees to meet customers needs. Our staff follow training and develop their skill sets, such as being trained in ‘Gold Standard Palliative Care,’ as we aim to be in the top level of capable and competent care delivery.

By utilising sustainable strategies, we can optimise their operations, enhance the quality of care delivered, and empower their staff to be conscientious, empathetic, kind and caring individuals.

Practice

Staff and leaders can  take active steps towards ensuring the principles of net zero care are embedded in planning and delivery of care. Low carbon care is resource efficient and supports care to be delivered in the right place and at the right time. We aim to be:

1. Accommodating: by balancing economic goals with social responsibility.
2. Proactive: and take a proactive stance by actively engaging in socially responsible practices.
3. Environmental responsibility: because can pursue environmental management by reducing pollution and emissions by purchasing more recyclable  materials, replenishing natural resources like trees, or creating product lines consistent with CSR.
4. Ethical responsibility: because we aim to act in a  fair manner and to be ethical. Instances of ethical responsibility include fair treatment of all customers regardless of age, race, culture, or sexual orientation, with full disclosures and transparency for customers/investors of who we are as a team and what we are here to do.
5. Philanthropic responsibility: we aim to contribute to society, whether a by donating profit to charities and we try to enter into transactions with suppliers that align with the company philanthropically, supporting employee philanthropic endeavors and sponsoring events.
6. Financial responsibility: we make plans to be more environmentally, ethically, and philanthropically focused, and this is backed by financial investments in programs, donations, or product research including research and development for products that encourage sustainability, creating a diverse workforce, social awareness, or environmental initiatives.

Homecare, corporate social responsibility includes:

• Offering care at a fair price so local people can access the help they need for as long as possible
• Having enough trained care staff to meet local need
• Being reactive to changes as the customers needs change
• Being flexible in terms of accepting alternate finding streams if the customers triggers for them, so customers can remain in the care of the team they feel safe and secure with.
• Issues to also be considered are:
• Being responsible for clinical PPE disposal and recycling to support our local environment
• Offering jobs and training so local people can develop a career and shop local
• The local economy is supported by our companies activities, in terms of both care delivery and also payment of taxes and fees etc., which supports Council funded local services etc

In the care sector, sustainability is more than just ensuring a financially viable model, with issues such as having enough suitably trained staff available to meet the needs of customers, with a focus and priority on training, ongoing support for care staff and encouraging staff to be emotionally resilient to meet the needs of their job role.

Corporate Sustainability in this instance can be broken down into creating value in term of:

Care delivery

• Jobs for the local communities the customers live in
• Revenue for the local community in terms of job creation, so workers paying taxes and use local amenities

A strong CSR strategy generally consists of five key components:

• ethical labour practices - so staff will want to work with us
• environmental initiatives - so we are recycling and managing clinical waste etc effectively  
• community engagement- so we are seen as a positive activity in our community
• responsible sourcing - so we use sustainable and ethical other services to support our company in it’s family activities  
• transparent governance - so we are open and honest with our practices, for things that go well, and for things that don’t.

We must be accountable for the services we deliver and take  responsibility for sorting things out when they go wrong

Understanding these elements helps in creating a meaningful connection with your stakeholders.

Reviewed April 2025 by Fay Townsend-Jackson