Guardian Homecare was established in 2000 to provide domiciliary care packages for individuals with learning disabilities that meet the requirements of the industry regulators.
In May 2001, Guardian Homecare set up a pilot office in Epping, Essex to:
- develop a model for the support and management of care to individuals with learning disabilities
- assist the local authority with the transfer of these individuals from residential placements, or living with family members, to independent living in Community Supported Living Schemes.
The pilot scheme proved very successful and resulted in a company acquired office in Basildon which has become the centre of excellence and a model for Learning Disabilities for the Guardian group, receiving the ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.
In 2003, Guardian Homecare became a satellite training and assessment centre for the delivery and assessment of training towards the Learning Disability Awards Framework (LDAF). This award has since been replaced by the Learning Disabiltiy Qualification (LDQ) and Guardian Homecare have retained their accredited status, being annually inspected by the British Institute for Learning Disabilities (BILD).
In February 2006, the Guardian Group was acquired by Clinovia Limited which is Britain's most experienced community-based healthcare provider. Clinovia offer a complete package of flexible services that encompasses drug compounding and delivery, specialist nursing care and clinical support.
There are many synergies between Clinovia and Guardian Homecare. Both companies provide care services to people in their own homes; Clinovia concentrating on meeting the health needs and Guardian Homecare the social needs, therefore providing a complete lifecycle care solution for purchasers and care commissioners in the future.
In December 2006, Clinovia was acquired by BUPA, the UK's leading provider of private health care insurance, hospitals and health care services. Acquiring Clinovia will enable BUPA to broaden its range of healthcare services in the home and community setting.
