Case Study - Sam Cage
In 2017, motivated by a personal passion and a recognised need in the community, Sam Cage established a care company deeply committed to person-centred care, with the aim of empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. We recently had a conversation with Sam about her initial goals for founding Ocala Healthcare and explored how the company's transformative care model has helped their clients achieve their personal aspirations.
Sam, tell us about your business and what is it that makes it so unique?
Ocala Healthcare is dedicated to enabling people to lead fulfilling lives alongside various complex conditions such as learning disabilities, dementia, autism, mental health issues, eating disorders, and cerebral palsy. Our mission is centred on fostering a life well-lived for each individual by building strong relationships, creating a secure environment, actively engaging with the community, and instilling confidence to fully embrace life.
What is complex care?
The concept of 'complex care' refers to a variety of needs that necessitate ongoing, specialised support. Individuals with complex care needs often live with multiple conditions that require tailored support to manage their symptoms and daily activities. Our staff prioritise comprehensive assessments, care, and support, moving away from task-driven methods to ensure that every individual has the right to lead a dignified life of their choosing.
Tell us about the services Ocala Healthcare offers.
The foundation of our approach lies in our commitment to providing specialised, continuous care tailored to the unique needs of each individual, rather than merely addressing diagnoses. We employ a team of 27 carers, all dedicated to assisting clients in their own homes, managing crises, and encouraging active community participation. This year, we supported a client who wanted to go on a skiing holiday. Despite the considerable logistics, paperwork, and necessary equipment, we committed ourselves to making this possible. In January, the person we support, accompanied by two carers, travelled to France for the skiing trip. The experience was transformative for the person we support, instilling newfound confidence and a zest for embracing life. This demonstrates the personalised and ambitious support plans encouraged by Ocala.
Retention is a significant challenge within the care industry. How do you address this?
We have made employee appreciation integral to our workplace culture. Eighteen months following the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched the Suffolk Carer Appreciation event. This celebration not only honours the commitment of our own carers but also extends a warm welcome to those from other care providers in the industry. To show our appreciation to our carers, we also host events throughout the year featuring afternoon tea events, Christmas/Easter eggs, meals out and more. Creating a space where employees can come away from their workplace and get to know their workmates in an informal setting is paramount to improving our teamwork culture. It is also a great opportunity for insight and feedback from our team and to communicate exciting changes and upcoming events.
Tell us about the support you have received from Care Development East.
Our partnership with Care Development East has been instrumental. Through fully funded training programmes offered by CDE, we have significantly improved our team's skillset, especially in areas like mental health and personal development. Also, our involvement in the Registered Care Managers Network, facilitated by CDE, enables us to foster professional growth and networking among peers. This network is a vital resource for staying current with industry trends, receiving advice, and accessing local support. It features guest speakers on relevant topics and provides a relaxed setting for post-meeting interactions, enabling attendees to exchange ideas and stay informed about training, legislation, recruitment, and best practices.
It has been a particularly tough year in the care industry; what challenges have you encountered?
One of the foremost challenges for home care providers has been assembling and sustaining a well-trained and effectively led workforce. As the demand for care workers escalates, the urgency to increase staffing levels becomes more pressing. The combination of low wages, and the cost-of-living crisis has greatly impacted care workers. To mitigate these issues, we have committed to paying above the minimum wage and use our in-house agency, Ocala Recruitment, to fill staffing gaps and ensure continuous service. Despite these challenges, our team's dedication to delivering high-quality care has not faltered.
And finally, an award for Sam!
Sam has recently won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the FSB Suffolk and Essex business awards. This accolade recognises her innovation and leadership in addressing complex care needs since founding the business in 2017. Her achievements underscore the organisation's impact and her forthcoming participation in the national awards highlights the broader
Ocala Healthcare has demonstrated a profound ability to provide specialised and compassionate care tailored to individuals with complex needs. Their efforts not only improve quality of life for their clients but also set a benchmark in the care industry for dedication and innovative practice. Through continuous development and community integration, they are poised to expand their influence and continue making significant strides in complex care.