Last updated at 16:45, Friday, 16 November 2012

A FURNESS care firm is set to create more than 30 jobs thanks to a major contract.

Ulverston-based Lakeland Care and Support Services saw off competition from national care providers to win the three-year deal from Cumbria County Council.

Lakeland Care was the only independent local business to be named among the four preferred providers of community-based social care services.

The contracts were put out to tender and awarded on the basis of best value.

Marge Smyth, managing director of the care company, said the contract gives the company security for the next few years as well as the opportunity to expand.

She said: “I was absolutely delighted when I found out we had been successful – this is a long-term sustainable contract.”

Ms Smyth said the deal was particularly significant since the company would be expanding at a time when many are being forced to tighten their belts.

She added “We are in a much better position now in that we know we have got a continued flow of work for the next three or four years.

“Now we need to invest in creating lots of extra jobs, predominantly for domiciliary care workers.”

Lakeland Care and Support Services, based at Marl Business Park, has already experienced substantial growth over the past three years, having started out as a small family-run business in September 2009.

It now employs more than 60 members of staff and Ms Smyth, who is originally from Ulverston, said she believes the company could come close to doubling its size over the next three years.

The secret, she said, is the high standard of care the company aims to provide.

She added: “I think domiciliary care workers are the unseen heroes and heroines of care.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “We’re really pleased that a local service provider, competing in an open market with regional and national competition, has been successful in winning a contract to provide care to local people.”

First published at 16:07, Friday, 16 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk