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

What benefits do you get from being a member of ICG?

The support of a full time paid senior officer who is willing to talk through issues with you and provide support and information and where needed, to take forward your concerns with the statutory sector. You can call Keren Wilson on 01423 816 582.

Representation in negotiations with the local authority to get the best possible fee increase for you for publicly funded clients.
Representation of your interests in numerous meetings where we aim to ensure that the sector is taken into consideration and we pass on information of interest to you.

Regular e-mail updates to make sure that you are kept abreast of information, both national and local, which will aid you in running your business. Whether it is local training opportunities or changes and guidance you need to know about, the documentation you need is sent to you directly. We also keep you up to date on issues locally which affect the care sector.
And much more.

Members with a special interest can request information.

Free legal helpline. We are extremely pleased to announce a new service which is free to ICG members. Law firm RadcliffesLeBrasseur (RLB) with offices in London, Leeds and Cardiff has agreed to provide us with a free legal helpline. RLB is one of the top law firms in the UK with particular expertise in the healthcare sector.

All paid-up ICG members are entitled to call RLB on 0207 227 7308. You can have a free 20 minute consultation with a RLB solicitor on any legal query connected to health and social care. (Your calls will be limited to one call per topic). When you call please give the name of your business so that you can be identified as an ICG member. RLB is holding a list of all current ICG members.

Should you require further action – for example a solicitor’s letter or a follow on call – then this will be charged at a slightly reduced normal rate.
RLB recently ran a legal seminar on the Mental Capacity Act for ICG.

A regular newsletter to keep you abreast of local issues. Independent Care Matters is sent out quarterly and covers all the hot topics for our area including a page for your letters.

Preferential rates at a high quality annual ICG Conference which brings national speakers to our region and includes a care exhibition with the latest exhibits.

A personal invitation to free local meetings within your locality where you can hear the news and give your views and network with others.

Website: we are developing the ICG website at www.independentcaregroup.co.uk and at www.independentcaregroup.com which will give members access to information.

Training: we work closely with Skills for Care to bring you the latest information on training initiatives and where to get funding.

Networking: ICG can put you in touch with other care providers who would be willing to talk through an issue with you.

Collective buying: ICG works with A J Purchasing to find ways to save you money. They will come the your organisation and conduct a free assessment to find ways of saving you money—often without you having to change favourite brands. A J Purchasing specialises in providing a comprehensive purchasing service to the care home sector. Unlike other groups, they take a pro-active role in helping our clients reduce costs without compromising on quality. They do not charge a fee and do not require a contract. Call Alison or John Jeffrey on 01903 264 907
or 01705 522 76 or alternatively on John’s mobile number 07850 901 739 or by e-mail john@ajps@virgin.net

Quality Management: Required Systems offers a Quality Management System to ICG members at a saving of £125—it provides all policies and procedures needed to meet the Care Standards for care homes and home care. Call Peter Hawkins on 01236 782 477 or 07711 588 411.

And more to come … ICG is liaising currently with some top companies to find more ways to bring benefits for members.