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Independent Care Group is Registered in England. Company Registration Number 4433126. Registered Office 10 North Park Road, Harrogate , HG1 5PG.

What is the Independent Care Group (ICG)? All care providers who operate in York and North Yorkshire are WELCOME to join the ICG. We want you with us helping to influence the future. We are YOUR organisation. ICG is the recognised representative body for independent care providers (private and voluntary) in York and North Yorkshire. We work on behalf of care home providers for all client groups. ICG is an association that represents independent care providers in York and North Yorkshire, including care home providers for all client groups, domicilliary care agencies, supported living and extra care housing providers, and day care centres in the private and voluntary parts of the independent sector. What does the Independent Care Group do? ICG is committed to helping care providers to give the best possible service to the vulnerable people they care for – working in partnership with others to make this a reality. On behalf of care providers we work with North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, NHS North Yorkshire and York (the PCT) and the regulator CQC. We act as a conduit passing on the views and concerns of providers and the requirements of commissioners in an each-way process. We try to achieve the best possible solution for the independent sector on all issues including fee rates, contract terms and assistance through training. We make sure that care providers have input into quality standards and assessments which are clear and achievable. We represent providers on the Safeguarding Boards and we press for clarity and transparency of processes. Following Mediation we have agreed to work with NYCC and with CYC on an Actual Cost of Care exercise with the help of an independent accountancy/audit firm - see News. This is something we have looked for over many years. As members of the Market Development Board for North Yorkshire we work with all parties to try to maintain the stability of the market while at the same time encouraging innovation and service development in line with personalisation. We are active in putting forward the case for assistance to the care sector through economic development funds to help with business change. Most importantly we aim to make sure that our members are given all the information they need to keep up to date and provide a high quality service. We hold local meetings in Harrogate, York, Scarborough, Northallerton and Skipton to listen to our members and to pass on information. We produce a quarterly newsletter which covers current issues and concerns and is posted out to all care providers and to all Councillors and MPs as well as local authority and NHS senior managers. Our weekly e-mail information update is our most popular service - keeping members up to date with news, best practice guidance and training opportunities. And members contact us on a daily basis to discuss issues affecting them. Each year we hold a Conference. For details of our 2013 Conference see Conference Every 2 years we evaluate our service. Here are some views from our members: "The information and support offered by ICG is invaluable." "ICG is the voice of the independent sector - keep up the good work." "There are a great many issues that I would not have been aware of, or sometimes understood, had it not been for the ICG." "I have been provided with help and guidance whenever I have sought help." "I think we are very lucky to have the representation and help and support from the ICG."