At IFAN Golden Companions, we provide safe, respectful, professional and compassionate companionship and befriending support for adults aged 18 and over.
We understand the trust involved when you welcome a companion into your home or arrange companionship for someone you care about. We take that trust seriously.
Our policies are designed to protect our clients, their families and our companions, while making it clear what our service provides and the professional standards we expect.
Safe. Respectful. Professional. Compassionate.
Who We Support
IFAN Golden Companions provides companionship and befriending support for adults aged 18 and over.
Our service may be suitable for:
Older adults
Adults living with physical, sensory or learning disabilities
People experiencing loneliness or social isolation
People experiencing low mood or difficult periods in their lives
People with reduced mobility
People recovering from illness
People who would like more confidence getting out into their community
People who would simply like regular, friendly and dependable companionship
Families who would benefit from respite companionship for a loved one
Everyone is treated as an individual. We take time to understand what matters to each person, their preferences and how they would like to be supported.
What We Can Do
Depending on the individual’s agreed companionship plan, our service may include:
Friendly home visits and conversation
Social and community outings
Companionship to GP and hospital appointments
Accompanying clients to church or other places of worship
Shopping and everyday errands
Light household assistance connected with the companionship visit
Hobbies and social activities
Wellbeing and reassurance visits
Helping clients stay connected with family and friends
Appropriate basic help with technology and communication
Companionship for people experiencing loneliness or social isolation
Respite companionship for family carers
Our companions are there to support, encourage and accompany — not to take over.
What We Do Not Provide
It is important that clients and families understand the boundaries of our service.
IFAN Golden Companions is a companionship and befriending service.
We do not provide personal care, medication administration or clinical/nursing care.
This means our companions do not provide:
Bathing or washing
Dressing or undressing
Toileting or continence care
Intimate personal care
Administering, dispensing or managing medication
Clinical procedures
Nursing care
Even where an individual companion has healthcare or social-care qualifications or experience from another role, they must remain within the agreed boundaries of their IFAN Golden Companions role while supporting our clients.
If a client’s needs change and become greater than the services we provide, we will discuss this appropriately with the client and/or their authorised representative and, where necessary, recommend that suitable professional health or social-care support is sought.
Our Safeguarding Commitment
The safety and wellbeing of our clients is extremely important to us.
IFAN Golden Companions has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour.
Safeguarding concerns are taken seriously.
Our companions are expected to recognise, record and report concerns about a client’s safety or wellbeing in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.
Where appropriate, concerns may be escalated to the relevant safeguarding professionals or statutory authorities.
If we believe somebody is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance, the appropriate emergency services may be contacted.
Carefully Selected Companions
We recognise that the quality and safety of our service depends on the people we choose to represent us.
Appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures are undertaken before companions work independently with clients.
These may include, where applicable:
Appropriate DBS checks
Identity verification
Right-to-work checks
References
Relevant experience checks
Suitability assessment
Appropriate induction and training
Our aim is to ensure that the people entering our clients’ homes understand the importance of trust, dignity, confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
Training & Safeguarding
Our companions receive appropriate induction and training relevant to their role.
This may include:
Safeguarding Adults • Recognising Abuse & Neglect • Reporting Concerns • Professional Boundaries • Confidentiality • Data Protection • Dignity & Respect • Record Keeping • Health & Safety • Lone Working • Emergency Procedures
Training and competency requirements are reviewed and refreshed as appropriate.
Professional Oversight
As part of our commitment to maintaining high standards, IFAN Golden Companions may obtain professional advice and periodic oversight from suitably qualified professionals, including social-work expertise where appropriate.
This may include reviewing safeguarding practices, records and procedures and providing professional advice where improvements or additional safeguards may be required.
Every Visit Is Recorded
Accountability is important to us.
An appropriate record is completed for client visits.
Depending on the visit, this may include:
Date • Arrival Time • Departure Time • Activities Undertaken • Appointments or Outings • General Wellbeing Observations • Concerns Identified • Actions Taken
Where appropriate, the client or an authorised representative may acknowledge the visit record.
Client records are handled confidentially and stored appropriately.
Dignity, Choice & Independence
Our companions are there to support — not take over.
Every person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
We respect each client’s:
Choices and preferences
Privacy
Culture and beliefs
Faith or religion
Individual identity
Independence
Right to make their own decisions, where they have capacity to do so
We aim to help our clients continue doing the things that matter to them — whether that is enjoying conversation at home, going shopping, attending church or another place of worship, visiting a café, attending an appointment, enjoying a hobby or simply having someone dependable to spend time with.
Professional Boundaries
Our companions must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
We have clear expectations regarding:
Client Money • Gifts • Borrowing & Lending • Confidential Information • Personal Relationships • Social Media • Financial Matters • Appropriate Conduct
A companion must never use their position to exploit, pressure, manipulate or take advantage of a client.
Any concern about inappropriate conduct will be taken seriously.
Confidentiality & Privacy
Your privacy matters to us.
Personal information and visit records are handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable UK data-protection requirements.
Where a client has given appropriate permission, relevant information may be shared with an authorised family member or representative.
Information may also be shared where there is an appropriate lawful reason to do so, including certain serious safeguarding situations.
Please see our Privacy Policy for further information.
Concerns & Complaints
We want our clients and their families to feel comfortable speaking to us.
If you have a concern about our service, a companion, safeguarding or any aspect of your experience with IFAN Golden Companions, please contact us.
All concerns and complaints will be:
Listened To • Recorded • Taken Seriously • Handled Appropriately • Used to Improve Our Service
Raising a genuine concern or complaint will not result in a client being treated unfairly or disadvantaged.
Please see our Complaints Policy for further information.
Our Promise
Safe. Respectful. Professional. Compassionate.
At IFAN Golden Companions, safeguarding is reflected in:
Who we recruit
How our companions are trained
How visits are recorded
How concerns are handled
How professional boundaries are maintained
And, most importantly, how every person is treated
DBS Checked • Trained Companions • Safeguarding Focused • Visits Recorded • Professional Standards
Because no one should feel alone.
Our Policies
For further information about how we operate and protect our clients, please read:
Safeguarding Adults Statement
Privacy & Data Protection Policy
Complaints Policy
Terms & Conditions of Service
For further information or to discuss our companionship service, please contact:
IFAN Golden Companions