When Austen Allen Homecare first opened its doors in Dartford it had three employees.

Those staff members had to liaise with the Care Quality Commission and Kent County Council and follow all the required regulations and legislation set to provide care for clients and then get backing from KCC to receive care packages from them.

In four years the company has progressed. Nothing was seen as too much hard work. The staff would do all the office work needed, advertise the company then follow up by doing all the care work necessary. They gradually progressed and now have hundreds of clients and more than 60 staff.

Founded in 2010 by director Nina Allen, this domiciliary care company does not see other care companies in the industry as competition as all are on their own learning curve.

Mrs Allen said: “We continue to strive as a business and have never had a challenge we have not been able to tackle head-on and have continued to grow and prosper. All challenges faced by the business over the last 12 months have been associated with changes to new government legislations. We have also continued to promote a positive image of care companies.”

According to Mrs Allen, a decisive factor in making Austen Allen Homecare stand out against its competitors is a requirement for all members of the company from management to new recruits to go out caring in the community.

She said it gives everyone an insight of what services are required and how the company can offer a better service to its clients. Clients also appreciate when they have a member of management attend their call.

She concluded by saying that hard work and dedication has always been the company’s motto, never shying away from harder packages that some care companies would reject and that the company continues to grow to provide the best service.

Austen Allen Homecare is one of the entrants in the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards. This year’s award sponsors are Dartford council, Gravesham council, Barnes Roffe, Kent Business School (University of Kent), the KM Group (Dartford Messenger and Gravesend Messenger), Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, Edinburgh House and the University of Greenwich.

Entries have now closed. The winner will be announced later this year.