SME News Q4 2018

SME NEWS / Q4 2018 15 , iAspire Care Services provide semi-independent support & accommodation for young people. Earlier this year, the firmwas recognised in SME News Magazine’s 2018 UK Enterprise Awards programme as the ‘Best for Youth Care and Support inMiddlesex’. Following this win, we spoke with the firm’s Director, Bal Kanda, to find out more. Compassionate Care for Those That Need It Most For over five years, iAspire Care Services have been committed to providing outstanding quality of care for young people and children in the Middlesex area and beyond. iAspire are defined more than anything by a need to be excellent, establishing best practices in a sector that has, in the public eye, perhaps fallen short of expectations. Ultimately, this remains the core ethos of iAspire: their mission is to always provide the best possible care for those that need it most. To start the interview, Bal offers some insight into iAspire’s background and operations. “iAspire Care Services provide semi-independent support and accommodation for children in state care and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We work jointly with local authorities across the country with the sole objective in mind of preparing today’s young people to live independently with confidence, prosperity and ambition. We fervently believe in the idea that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and we treat every child as such.” Bal continues, discussing iAspire’s company culture: “As a business, we are very enthusiastic, dynamic and passionate in what we do. This stems from all of our employees having a clear understanding of the vision and direction of the business, supported by an effective core staff infrastructure along with several supporting tools to ensure excellent levels of support provided to our young people. This positive attitude helps us retain our staff, which results in the entire team working together constructively to constantly add value to our business.” It is clear from the outset that Bal is driven by a need to, simply, be better. To continuously improve, and never settle on what has already been achieved. This extends, naturally, to their approach to competitors. “I feel the key difference between ourselves and our competitors is that we are constantly evolving as a business to cater to new demands. All procedures and processes are constantly reviewed and addressed as we feel that there is always room for improvement. All implementations are monitored and scrutinised to ensure relevance and effectiveness.” “As we evolve, we lean on technology more and more. We now have a fully online based rota system where staff log in and out, claim shifts etc. This naturally results in more effective staff management, payroll process and less discrepancies along the way. As we develop, we are integrating more technology into our business to become more efficient and effective. My philosophy in business is development, progression and expansion always in all ways.” Adaptation remains a key part of iAspire’s success, understanding that the sector can be volatile and highly reactive to change. “Our sector rarely follows major trends, apart from seasonal peaks and troughs. It is, however, a very responsive market with little – or sometimes – no notice. For this, we have to be constantly ready, maintain composure and efficiently match and place young people with the care that they deserve.” Throughout it all, Bal emphasises that the child remains the focus. Finally, Bal comments on the future of iAspire and the UKE18153 challenges that are likely to face in the upcoming year. “There are a lot of national and international factors that affect our business, however these factors are considered and absorbed by the local authorities we deal with. We have to maintain our core structure and effective business model to support the local authorities however we can. Looked after children and children in care from all walks of life and we must adapt to accommodate them all.” Contact: Bal Kanda Company: iAspire Care Services Ltd Address: 28 Shaftesbury Circle, Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 0AT, United Kingdom Telephone: 020 8422 9191