Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 9:28am

Jean's legacy of care

Jean Aas, seated right, with Fiona Harper who remains as operations director, with chairman of Independent Living Services Scott Christie.

THE woman behind one of East Lothian's biggest commercial success stories has spoken of her delight at safeguarding the futures of her 132 staff upon her retirement.

Former nurse Jean Aas, founder of Goose Green Home Care Ltd, has sold the company to award-winning firm Independent Living Services Scotland (ILS) ahead of her forthcoming retirement in September.

Mrs Aas, who has helped thousands of elderly county residents to live independently in their own homes since 2001, said: "I set up Goose Green Home Care Ltd to provide a high quality care service for elderly and disabled people who value their independence and wish to live supported in their own homes. I had to look long and hard for a company I thought would be close enough in principles and strategy to my own before I was prepared to sell up and retire. I think ILS is the ideal company to take Goose Green to the next stage of its development.

"I will be working up to the end of September to ensure a smooth transition for my staff and for my clients. My colleague, Fiona Harper, will become operations director in the new structure, while the new owners will safeguard the jobs here that have been created."

Based at Elvingston Science Centre, Goose Green Homecare Ltd currently looks after 390 clients who need varying levels of support in their own homes.

Its 120 care staff and 12 administrative support workers deliver this contract for East Lothian Council, and the firm is one of only three such providers contracted by the local authority.

Duties range from care at home and housing support, to private domestic work. The firm can also bring in more specialised help, such as chiropody, companionship, shopping support and home hairdressing services when required.

The acquisition by ILS means that a much wider range of services can be offered by Goose Green - whose name will also be retained by the new owners - to include specialist services such as supporting clients with Autism Spectrum Conditions, clients with brain and spinal injuries and complex medical conditions requiring nurse-led intervention.

Mrs Aas, 71, began her working life as a nurse, firstly completing her children's nursing registration at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, and then progressing to complete her general and midwifery training in Aberdeen. She then worked at the Edinburgh Sick Kids' Hospital before moving to Norway, where she had a district nursing role outside Oslo for 15 years.

She returned to Scotland to run Lammermuir Nursing Home - at that time owned by the Civil Service Benevolent Fund - and later established Goose Green Homecare with just three people working from home in Gullane.

The grandmother of six, who now lives in Dirleton, told the Courier: "It's very hard to move on from your own business. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a business owner and am very proud of what I have achieved.

"After I stop working, I plan to spend more time gardening and visit my son, Audun, in Melbourne, Australia."

ILS was founded 14 years ago. The organisation now employs more than 1,200 staff across Scotland working in partnership with 20 local authorities. Specialist services are provided in four main areas - adults with a disability, older peoples' services, support for children and families, and continuing healthcare for those with more complex care needs.

The company plans to add a further 12 staff to its newly-acquired East Lothian workforce.