Why we formed
Helping you find the most appropriate adviser for you and your family
There are numerous financial advisers, but from personal experience we know that finding the right adviser for the right situation isn’t necessarily easy or straightforward; at Symponia we believe that it should of course be your choice, but by insisting on certain standards and perhaps asking some pertinent questions you will be able to find the most appropriate adviser for you and your family.
Whilst all financial advisers and their firms must be authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, not all will have dedicated care fees planning experience, the required knowledge levels, the appropriate qualifications or even the necessary empathy to recognise the gamut of emotions associated with placing a close friend or family member in a care home.
Although we are confident that Symponia members will be able to provide you with the best possible advice, we have listed some of the questions we think you should be asking any care fees planning adviser:
Do you hold CF8 or its equivalent?
Always start with this question; there are mandatory examinations that any adviser discussing long term care with you should have, if required, ask your adviser to provide written proof, and don’t consult with an adviser that doesn’t have it.
Do you offer a face-to-face meeting?
Locating a care home and sorting out the associated finances for your relative can never be easy, emotions run high and you need to speak to someone who can understand exactly what you are going through.
The situation is highly sensitive, you and your family deserve to be treated with complete reverence, understanding and respect, and as such we believe that this cannot be done over the telephone or by completing a questionnaire (on-line or otherwise).
Insist that your adviser offers you an initial face-to-face meeting, if they are disinclined to do so, find a local adviser who will visit you in person at a time and place to suit your circumstances.
Do you follow a printed code of conduct?
Most professionals follow a code of conduct and we are pleased to say that Symponia members are no exception, working with older people and their families demands a special type of person with a genuinely caring approach, in recognition of this we are happy to publish and follow our Code of Practice & Conduct.
Entering an older person’s home can present a extra dimension of safely, we therefore insist that all our members undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check, this not only checks their general criminal record, but goes that little bit deeper to ensure that they are not listed on the “Vulnerable Adults Barred List”.
Do you work to a Customer Service Standard?
Very few advisers and even fewer large companies are willing to commit verbally to a service standard let alone put one down on paper, ask your adviser what timescales they work to, better still ask them to provide a written promise, we are pleased to confirm that every Symponia member will be able to present you with a dedicated customer charter.
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