Finding the right match between service users and care workers is crucial in healthcare recruitment, especially for complex care. At TAO, we’re committed to putting our service users at the heart of our hiring process, ensuring they feel empowered and at ease with those providing their care and support.
We’ve recently begun inviting service users to care worker interviews to ensure that candidates meet both our standards and the unique needs and preferences of those they’ll support. During the interview, a member of staff and a service user conduct the session together. We work with clients to prepare 2-3 key questions for the potential care worker, and after the interview, the service user can provide feedback.
We’ve already seen great success with this approach and received fantastic feedback from our service users and their families. They’ve told us that this process boosts their confidence in their care workers and reassures them that they’ll connect well and thrive under their care. By involving service users in interviews, we can assess how potential care workers interact with them. Even small details can reveal a lot about whether they’re right for the role – such as how engaged they are with the service users, if they ask questions, maintain eye contact, and their overall demeanour. We’re not just looking at skills but also at their ability to build meaningful connections and tailor their communication to meet the service user’s needs.
Looking ahead, we’re keen to implement this model across our hiring process, involving service users wherever possible. To streamline this process, we plan to introduce a pre-screening stage to narrow down candidates before they meet with a service user and a staff member,
Families, particularly those of young adults transitioning to independent living, can also be included in the process when appropriate. For families who have played a significant role in their loved one’s care, this involvement can reduce anxiety and foster trust in the care worker selection. This collaborative approach, which may include parents, guardians, siblings, and extended family, ensures that the people receiving care, their families, and the care workers all work together harmoniously. Starting this way sets a strong foundation for a successful care journey.
Inclusion is at the core of our philosophy.
By integrating service users into the recruitment process, TAO is not just hiring care workers – we’re building supportive, respectful relationships that prioritise the needs and voices of those who matter most.