News

On Monday, 22nd September, our Associate Directors, Maxine Fairhurst (Operations) and Claire Maguire (HR & Finance), attended the Sheffield Council Direct Payment Provider Forum at Sheffield Town Hall.

The forum brought together care providers, council representatives, community projects, and people who receive Direct Payments. Together, the group explored how the local care market can become more accessible, diverse, and responsive to individual needs.

Why this matters

Direct Payments give people control over their own care. They can decide who supports them, how that support is delivered, and when it takes place. However, for this to work well, there must be a wide range of providers available. A varied market creates choice, flexibility, and the chance for people to tailor support to their lives.

At Lotus Home Care, we believe this principle is essential. We are committed to creating services that not only meet practical needs but also promote dignity, independence, and inclusion.

Our involvement

During the event, Maxine and Claire met with a wide mix of people. They spoke to:

• Individuals and families who are searching for reliable, person-centred care providers.

• Council employees working on future commissioning and support strategies.

• Community organisations that deliver activities for vulnerable adults.

These conversations were valuable. They also gave us the chance to share our experience of ethical recruitment, inclusive practices, and workforce development. Importantly, we highlighted how these areas help to build a strong and sustainable support network.

Looking ahead

The forum marked an important first step in strengthening Sheffield’s Direct Payment marketplace. It showed how providers, councils, and communities can work together to give people more choice and control.

We are proud to have contributed to these discussions. In addition, we look forward to building on the connections made at the event. By working together, we can create a care system that truly meets the needs of vulnerable adults across the region.