SME News UK Enterprise Awards 2025/ 12 Best Home Care Provider 2025 – London Whether providing short-term assistance or long-term care, Handling Care empowers individuals to live healthier, happier lives in the comfort of their own home. Located in London, this trusted complex care agency is dedicated to providing exceptional home care and support services tailored to the unique needs of each individual it serves. Renowned across England and Wales for its superior services, Handling Care has been named a winner in SME News Magazine’s UK Enterprise Awards 2025. We spoke with Maria Barbosa, Owner, Director, and CEO of Handling Care, about what this award means for the team and what’s ahead. Handling Care was founded in 2016, born from a passion to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals whilst delivering a top-tier service. Boasting a team of more than 60 experienced professionals, Handling Care specialises in providing personal care, companionship, medication management, post-operative care, and specialised support for chronic conditions and disabilities. Since the company’s inception, it has remained committed to improving its clients’ quality of life through compassionate, personalised care delivered across England and Wales. Care Philosophy: Compassion, Respect & Excellence “We strive every day to deliver support that empowers individuals with complex health needs to live safely and comfortably in their own homes,” Maria told us. “Our core values – compassion, respect, excellence, integrity, and collaboration – guide every aspect of our work. We believe in treating every client as an individual, honouring their personal choices and cultural backgrounds, while maintaining the highest standards of care and professionalism.” These values are deeply embedded in Handling Care’s daily operations, from the way its carers provide hands-on support to how its office team communicates and coordinates services. The care agency’s slogan, “Your Smile, Our Priority!” reflects its unfaltering commitment to bringing comfort, reassurance, and joy to those it serves – because the team’s shared core values are the very foundation of all they do for clients on a daily basis. Innovation in Complex Care In a saturated market, Handling Care stays ahead of the curve by prioritising innovation, quality, and adaptability. The care agency develops client-centred care plans that are tailored, inclusive, and regularly reviewed to reflect individual needs and progress, working collaboratively with therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to create a holistic and multidisciplinary approach centred on the wellbeing of each client. What’s more, Handling Care integrates advanced digital tools to streamline communication, enhance documentation, and ensure continuity of care for its clientele. Alongside this, Handling Care recognises that the sustained success of its service starts with the wellbeing and development of its team. The agency believes that its unique selling point lies in the specialised training its employees receive, particularly in supporting clients in complex injuries, such as brain injuries – an area that continues to rapidly evolve. Handling Care is committed to ongoing specialist training, enabling their team to stay at the forefront of complex care, and deliver expert, rehabilitation-focused care. Handling Care also invests significantly into motivating its workforce, understanding that care is more than just a job. Professional growth is closely linked to personal wellbeing and, realising this, Handling Care strives to provide unwavering support and compassion to its employees. If any member of the team feels overwhelmed in their personal life, Handling Care does everything it can to ensure that they feel supported, valued, and in the best position to deliver outstanding care – both for their own development and for the benefit of the clients it serves. Navigating Staffing Challenges & Immigration Rules in UK Care Sector When faced with challenges such as staffing shortages, operational pressures, or regulatory shifts, the team respond with flexibility, strategic planning, and a commitment to upholding the very highest standards of care. At present, Handling Care has noted that one of the most significant challenges currently impacting the UK care industry is the tightening of immigration rules, particularly those concerning overseas care workers. The UK government has introduced new visa regulations aimed at reducing net migration. “These changes have had a substantial effect on staffing across the sector, particularly for providers like us who have relied heavily on international recruitment to fill persistent workforce gaps,” Maria explains. “Sourcing domestic workers for complex care roles continues to present challenges, but we’re actively developing strategies to attract and retain local talent while continuing to invest in our incredibly dedicated international staff.” She adds, “Both our company and our clients deeply value the dedication, resilience, and expertise overseas care workers bring to the table. Their contribution is vital to the compassionate, high-quality service our clients rely on.” Handling Care remains fully compliant with evolving regulations and continues to invest in both domestic and international staff. “We believe that diversity makes us stronger,” Maria says. Recruiting from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds enables the team to provide truly person-centred care that’s respectful, inclusive, and rooted in understanding. “Our team is united by shared values, not borders,” Maria adds. “That’s how we build stronger relationships with our clients and ensure every individual feels seen, heard, and supported.” Handling Care’s London location also provides the agency with access to a wide network of professionals, training resources, and healthcare innovation, driving the team to elevate their standards and continuously improve. Through its stringent commitment to specialist training and multidisciplinary collaboration, Handling Care not only contributes to the quality of local care but also raises expectations and influences best practices across the wider care sector. The Future Ahead Moving forward, Handling Care will continue to reshape the wider care AIS-May25007
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