A RAPIDLY growing care company which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary has announced plans to create at least 120 new jobs for local people in 2014.

In five years Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland) has grown from employing just a handful of staff to the present figure of 160.

The number of care hours it provides each month has also recently passed the 15,000 mark for the first time, putting it in the top three most successful Caremark franchises in the UK and Ireland.

The rapid growth has been fuelled by the demand from people to remain in their own homes rather than going into residential care, but also as a result of the company diversifying into other areas, such as extra care scheme management and launching a drop-in service for people with learning disabilities.

Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland) is now forecasting further growth in 2014 and is aiming to create a minimum of ten jobs per month.

Managing Director Charles Folkes said: “When I first started the business there was myself, a care manager and just a handful of carers.

“The growth of the company in five years has been phenomenal and has even exceeded my expectations.

“I put this growth down to recruiting the right calibre of people, from our business development manager and head office support team, through to our care and support workers who are on the front-line delivering care we believe is second to none.

“Alongside this, we have also expanded our range of services so we now provide care for people of all ages, including those with physical and learning disabilities.

“We are in a good position as we enter 2014 and in the New Year we will be starting a new recruitment campaign to enable us to meet the demand for our services.”