What Our "Introductory Agency" Status Means for You

Welcome to the Gladys family! Your Trusted Partner for Home Care‍

For over a year, Gladys has been dedicated to revolutionising home care by connecting individuals and families with dedicated carers throughout Bath, Bristol & North East Somerset. You might hear us describe ourselves as an "introductory agency," and we want to share why this established model has proven so successful for both those seeking care and the incredible carers and helpers who provide it.

From the very beginning, Gladys was built with a core mission: to put people first. This means creating a service that empowers both those who need care and the talented individuals who provide it. We believe in fostering strong, local connections built on trust, understanding, and a model that truly works.

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Why Gladys?

Gladys was born from personal experience and a deep frustration with how difficult it was to find consistent, compassionate care for our own loved ones. We knew there had to be a better way — one that respected both the people receiving care and the carers providing it.

‍That’s why we’ve built something different: care that’s personal, local, and simple — just the way it should be.

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Why Families Choose Introductory Care

The introductory care model works because it’s faster to set up, more cost-effective, and gives families complete control over their care arrangements. Without the overheads and ongoing management fees of traditional agencies, carers take home more — making the model more sustainable and rewarding for everyone involved.

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At Gladys, we go a step further. We invest in tools and support services for carers that are rarely accessible to the self-employed — from onboarding and compliance guidance to safeguarding support and ongoing community engagement. Our goal is to ensure both carers and families feel informed, confident, and empowered at every step.

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‍Our mission is to provide compassionate, tailored care that helps people stay independent and comfortable in their own homes — across Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset. With a strong focus on community, trust, and quality, we carefully match each client with the right carer or helper to meet their individual needs with kindness and professionalism.

‍More Flexibility. More Control. A Better Experience. By working with Gladys, you're not just finding care — you're shaping a care experience that fits your life, values, and budget. That’s the beauty of the introductory agency model: less red tape, more real choice.

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Benefits for Families:

Choice & Control
You choose your carer, set the hours and agree rates directly — no middlemen dictating the terms.

Familiar Faces
No unexpected carers turning up. You work with the person you’ve been introduced to and build a trusted relationship over time.

Cost-Effective
Because we don’t manage care rotas or take large agency fees, we can keep client costs lower while carers earn more.

Ongoing Support
We’re always here to help — whether you want to change something, ask a question, or need a new introduction in future.

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Benefits for Carers:

Be Your Own Boss
You choose your clients, set your own hours, and agree your own rates.

More Take-Home Pay
Because we don’t take a large cut, carers keep more of what they earn.

Flexibility & Respect
We understand the realities of care work and provide tools and support to make your life easier.

Community
We’re building a caring, values-driven network of like-minded people — and we’ve got your back.

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Introductory Agency vs. Managed Care: What’s the Difference?

In Great Britain, care providers are regulated differently depending on the kind of service they offer. There are three independent regulatory bodies overseeing certain health and social care activities:
- The Care Quality Commission (CQC) – England
- Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
- Care Inspectorate Scotland (CIS)

These regulators govern services that directly provide or manage care, often referred to as “managed agencies.” Introductory agencies, like Gladys, sit outside of this scope because we do not supervise or direct the delivery of care – nor do we employ carers. Instead, we focus on matching clients with experienced, self-employed professionals, offering flexibility, affordability, and a more personalised care journey.

As an introductory agency, at Gladys, we can:
- Help you or a loved one find a suitable, self-employed carer
- Source a replacement or substitute carer when needed
- Provide payroll services to simplify payments and paperwork
- Offer support services for both families and carers
- Conduct check-ins to ensure you're happy with our service

In other words, we make it easier to find the right carer, stay supported, and maintain control of the care arrangement — all while removing much of the complexity.

There are also important boundaries - we are not a managed care service, and so we do not:
- Direct or manage the performance of self-employed carers
- Create or review care plans on your behalf
- Deliver training or mandatory compliance checks
- Provide clinical advice or intervene in how care is delivered
- Act as an advocate or decision-maker for the care recipient
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The care you receive is always directed by you, with your chosen carer working independently to meet your needs on your terms.

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Addressing Common Concerns: Building on Our Experience (Questions & Answers)

Over time we've learnt and refined our processes. Here are some common questions we've encountered and our established answers:

• How do you continue to ensure the quality and safety of your growing network of carers and helpers?
  
  • Our initial rigorous vetting remains a cornerstone, and we continuously monitor feedback and performance to maintain high standards within our expanding carer community.
• What is your established process for handling carer unavailability?
  
  • Our platform facilitates clear communication and contingency planning. With our growing network, we are often able to assist in finding suitable alternative carers if needed.
• How is payment and contracting typically handled within your established model?
  
  • Clients and carers establish a direct agreement on payment terms and the scope of care, with Gladys providing clear templates and ongoing support for this process.

• How has Gladys's support evolved as an established introductory agency?
  
  • Our support infrastructure has grown to provide even more efficient communication tools, scheduling assistance, and a dedicated team to address your needs promptly.
• Based on your experience, what's the best way to address issues with a carer?
  
  • Direct communication remains key, and our established mediation process has proven effective in resolving concerns fairly and efficiently.

• How has Gladys's reach for finding clients grown over the past year?
  
  • Our marketing efforts have expanded significantly, leading to a consistent flow of quality client opportunities for our growing network of carers.
• What established support does Gladys offer for managing my self-employment?
  
  • Our platform provides robust tools for scheduling, direct client communication, and streamlined invoicing. We also offer access to resources that support your professional growth.
• What's the feedback from other carers on the self-employment model through Gladys?
  
  • Our carers consistently report high levels of satisfaction with the autonomy, flexibility, and earning potential offered by the Gladys model.
• Do you employ carers?
  
  • No - all carers are self-employed. We provide a safe, trusted platform to match them with clients, but the care agreement is between the two of you.
• Will there be support if things don’t go to plan?
  
  • Absolutely. We’re always here to support both sides — from helping with communication to offering replacement introductions if needed.
• Is it safe?
  
  • Yes. All carers on our platform are DBS-checked, referenced, and vetted. We take safeguarding seriously and prioritise transparency for everyone’s peace of mind
• ‍Is it legal?‍
  
  • 100%. Introductory agencies are a legally recognised model for care services. We’re registered with the ICO and work in accordance with relevant employment and care laws.

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We're incredibly proud of the thriving community we've built at Gladys over the past year, connecting exceptional carers with individuals and families who value their dedication. Our established introductory agency model has proven to be a successful and rewarding experience for all involved.

Find out more about Gladys on our website or speak to our team – we’re always happy to help.