Home Instead Taunton & West Somerset

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection the agency was supporting between 60 and 70 people. This figure can change daily as people's needs change and new clients are accepted.

The provider was committed to providing people with a safe service and worked in partnership with other organisations to help people to take positive risks and maintain control of their personal safety.

People were supported by small teams of care givers who they were able to build trusting relationships with. People told us they received consistent support from well trained care givers who knew them well. Many people referred to their care givers as more like friends or family.

The provider used imaginative approaches to make sure staff training was meaningful and led to positive changes in the care people received. The provider worked with other professionals and organisations to share training and promote positive outcomes for people.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff made sure people's legal rights were respected.

People received their support from a service where care and compassion were embedded into everything they did. This led to people receiving an extremely caring service. Many people told us staff often went over and above their job roles which demonstrated their kindness and consideration for the people they supported.

People's care was personalised to their wishes and preferences and took account of their individuality. The provider matched care givers to people to help them to build connections and share interests and hobbies. People were comfortable and relaxed with the care givers who visited them.

The provider and staff worked to reduce loneliness for people and ensured people had access to a range of social opportunities. People told us how social events and being able to follow their interests had enhanced their well-being.

People received a service from an agency which was exceptionally well led and continually looked for ways to expand and improve the care they provided. People were involved and consulted about their care and the service. Complaints and incidents were seen as opportunities to learn and improve. Changes were made to practice where it was felt this would benefit people.

Staff felt well supported and were highly motivated which gave them a commitment to providing high quality care. People praised the staff and told us they had helped them to remain independent in their own homes.