In an ideal world, it could be said that being elderly or having a disability and staying in your home is by far a better solution.

Of course in these reduced budget times this is becoming very difficult for local authorities to maintain and that is where Austen Allen Homecare steps in.

Incorporated in 2008, director Nina Allen has made great strides in ensuring the level of care is nothing short of the best.

With 60 employees, Austen Allen whose head office is in Northfleet, is a specialist provider of social care and support services to anyone of any age and ability, from the elderly and infirm to children and young people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

Staff training is at the top of the agenda and all are fully vetted and DBS checked before commencing employment.

The company seeks to engage in continuous improvement in what it does. It has been awarded an external accreditation for both quality (ISO 9001) environmental policy (ISO1400) and for its Health and Safety processes CHAS.

Austen Allen Homecare is also a registered member of the KCCA and UKHCA care industry associations.

The company has now expanded its offices and received considerable assistance from Gravesham council.

Nina Allen said: “We are not a faceless franchise. We are community focused. From the Christmas parties to days out, we provide excellent levels of care to our clients allowing them to live, rather than just exist.

“At the same time we are also able to provide a number of local residents with work. This strengthens community ties. We are also fully on-board with an apprentice scheme and to date have taken on a number of apprentices to our mutual benefit.”

Austen Allen Homecare is just one of several companies to enter this year’s Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards.

The awards are supported by the Messenger, and each entrant gets a free profile in our papers and online.

Entries have now closed, but you can find out more at www.dgbawards.co.uk

This year’s sponsors are: Barnes Roffe, Dartford council, Gravesham council, KM Media Group, Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, University of Greenwich and JonesFM.

The winners will be announced shortly.