Combe Home Care Ltd

Key findings

We carried out this assessment 21 September to 1 October 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard.

People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. When people receive care and treatment in their own homes, an application must be made to the Court of Protection for them to authorise people to be deprived of their liberty. We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and how they managed Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards within the service. We reviewed people’s care plans and there was no evidence of restrictive practices or people being unlawfully deprived of their liberty. Consent was always sought in line with the MCA.

The service received praise from people using it, their relatives and staff. Staff were committed to ensuring people received person centred care. Staff comments included, “As a carer, I have a responsibility to make sure that the care and support that I provide to my clients is underpinned by person-centred values. These values include respect, dignity, independence, privacy, partnership, individuality, choice, and rights. By following these values and by taking a person-centred approach in my work, it means that each of the people I care for, their unique needs, wishes, and preferences are accommodated when delivering and planning their care.”

Day to day care was managed effectively, and both the registered manager and staff demonstrated open, inclusive values which helped build trust with those receiving support.

Policies and procedures ensured safe medicines management, safe care in people’s homes and appropriate responses to concerns. The provider had effective systems to monitor performance and identify emerging trends.

Care was delivered safely, supported by a proactive safety culture, thorough assessments, and evidence-based practice. Staff worked collaboratively with external professionals to ensure coordinated and responsive care planning. A professional commented, “Combe Home Care are responsive to a change to a service users health, and they do make a referral to the team - requesting review. [Staff] follow any specific instructions given by the community nursing team.”

Safeguarding, infection control, and risk management processes were well understood and consistently applied. Staff received regular supervision, training and support. Staff comments included, "I am very happy to be working for Combe Home Care. The management treat us as equals. They are competent, they are excellent communicators, they listen to us (and the clients and their families) with compassion, they encourage us to stand up for what's right, but above all else, they are committed to providing the care that our clients deserve. I hope to work for them for a long time to come."