The care you receive should make you feel safe, comfortable and valued.
If your current home care service is no longer meeting your needs, you do not have to simply put up with it. You can explore other options and find a care provider that better understands your routines, preferences and the things that matter to you.
Changing care providers can feel like a big decision. You may be worried about interrupting your support, meeting new carers or explaining everything again. At Apollo Care Blackpool, we will help make the process as straightforward and reassuring as possible.
We will listen to what you need, answer your questions honestly and carefully plan your new service before your care with Apollo begins.
Why Might You Consider Changing Care Providers?
There are many reasons why someone may start looking for a different home care provider.
You may be experiencing:
Sometimes there has not been one significant problem. You may simply feel that the service is no longer right for you. Whatever your reason, you are welcome to have an informal conversation with our team. Speaking to us does not commit you to changing providers, and we will never pressure you into making a decision.
You do not need to wait for something to go seriously wrong
Good home care should provide more than help with practical tasks. You should feel listened to, respected and involved.
If you find yourself regularly worrying about who will arrive, whether they will be on time or whether the office will respond when you need help, it may be time to consider your options.
Why Switch Your Care to Apollo?
Apollo Care Blackpool is a local home care provider supporting people across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
We believe that excellent care begins with relationships. Our team takes the time to understand you as an individual, not simply as a list of tasks on a care plan.
Switching Is Easier Than You Might Think
You do not have to manage the process alone.
Our team will guide you through each stage and agree when your Apollo care will begin. We will not ask you to end your current arrangements until we have assessed your needs and confirmed whether we can provide the care you require.
How to Switch Your Care to Apollo
Call our friendly office team or complete our online enquiry form.
Tell us where you live, the support you currently receive and what you would like from a new care provider. You do not need to have made a final decision at this stage.
Before changing providers, you should check the agreement or contract with your current care company. This should explain whether you need to give notice and how much notice is required.
If your care is arranged or funded by the local authority, NHS or another organisation, you may also need to speak to your social worker, care coordinator, case manager or funding body before making the change.
A member of the Apollo team will meet with you and, if you wish, your family or representative.
We will discuss:
- Your current care arrangements
- Your health and support needs
- Your daily routines
- Medication requirements
- Mobility and equipment
- Preferred visit times
- Personal interests and preferences
- Communication needs
- Any concerns about changing providers
- What you would like to be different
This enables us to determine whether Apollo can safely and reliably provide the support you need.
If we can provide your care, we will prepare a personalised care plan and explain the proposed arrangements clearly.
We will agree:
- The support to be provided
- The frequency and length of visits
- Preferred visit times
- Who will be involved in your care
- The cost of privately funded care
- A planned start date
- Any information we require before starting
We will coordinate the proposed date with you to reduce the risk of an interruption to your essential support.
Wherever possible, we will introduce your carers before they begin providing care independently.
This gives them an opportunity to learn about you, your home and your routines. It also allows you to ask questions and begin building a comfortable relationship.
Your Apollo care will begin on the agreed date.
Our office team will monitor the start of your service and check that your care arrangements are working well. If any adjustments are needed, we will discuss them with you.
What Happens to My Existing Care Plan?
With your consent, relevant care information may be shared or transferred to help us understand your needs and provide safe, continuous care.
However, we will not simply copy your existing arrangements. We will complete our own assessment and work with you to create an up-to-date Apollo care plan.
This gives you an opportunity to discuss:
- What currently works well
- What you would like to change
- Your preferred routines
- Any recent changes in your health
- Outcomes you would like your support to help you achieve
Your previous care experience can help us understand what is important to you, but your new plan will be developed with you.
What If My Care Is Funded?
The process may depend on how your care is arranged.
If You Pay for Your Own Care
If you arrange and pay for your care privately, you can approach Apollo directly. You should check your existing provider’s contract for its notice and termination arrangements before agreeing a final start date with us.
If the Local Authority Arranges Your Care
Speak to your social worker or the adult social care team before ending your current service. They may need to review your care and support plan, discuss available providers and approve any proposed changes.
If you receive a personal budget, the council can manage it, pay it to another organisation or provide it as a direct payment. Direct payments can offer greater flexibility over how agreed care and support is arranged. [nhs.uk], [ageuk.org.uk]
If You Receive Direct Payments
You may be able to use your direct payment to purchase eligible support from a care provider, provided the arrangements meet the outcomes and conditions in your agreed care and support plan.
You should speak to your direct payment team or social worker before entering into a new care agreement.
If Your Care Is Funded by the NHS or an ICB
Please speak to your case manager, care coordinator or funding team. Changes may need to be agreed before Apollo can begin providing funded care.
Personal health budgets are intended to offer greater choice and flexibility over how assessed health and wellbeing needs are met, but the precise arrangements depend on the individual plan and how the budget is managed. [england.nhs.uk], [england.nhs.uk]
Apollo can discuss your requirements with the relevant professional where appropriate and where you have given permission for us to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you arrange and pay for your care privately, you can generally choose which registered provider supports you, subject to the terms of your existing contract.
If your care is funded or arranged by the local authority, NHS or another organisation, you should speak to the relevant care coordinator or funding team before making a change.
Yes. You should check your current care agreement and follow its process for ending the service. This may include giving written notice.
Apollo cannot advise you on the exact notice required without seeing the relevant contract. We recommend checking your agreement carefully and speaking to your current provider or funding body.
Our aim is to coordinate your proposed start date with the end of your current service.
We will assess your needs and confirm whether we can provide your care before agreeing a start date. However, the timing will depend on our availability, the support required and the notice arrangements with your existing provider.
You should not cancel essential care until new arrangements have been confirmed.
This depends on:
- Where you live
- The type of care you need
- How many visits are required
- Your preferred visit times
- Whether you require one or two carers
- The complexity of your care
- Current availability within our care team
After an initial conversation and assessment, we will give you an honest indication of what is possible.
We will need to complete our own care assessment to make sure we fully understand how to support you safely.
You may be able to share relevant information from your existing care plan, medication records and professional assessments, subject to the necessary consent and information-sharing arrangements.
We will make the conversation as comfortable as possible and can involve a family member, representative or relevant healthcare professional if you wish.
Yes, with your consent.
You can decide who you would like to be involved in conversations, assessments and decisions about your care. This might include a family member, friend, advocate or someone who holds an appropriate legal authority.
Wherever possible, we introduce carers before they provide care independently.
If an unexpected situation means that this is not possible, our office team will communicate with you about the arrangements.
Ready to Explore Your Options? Let’s Have a Conversation
You do not need to make a decision today.
Start by telling us about the care you currently receive and what you would like from a new provider. Our friendly local team will listen, answer your questions and explain whether Apollo Care Blackpool could support you.
There is no pressure and no obligation to proceed.If you or a loved one needs support with shopping, errands or accessing essential items, Apollo Care Blackpool is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our caring team can make everyday tasks easier and more manageable.
Service Area
Blackpool | Fylde | Wyre