During an assessment under our new approach
About the service
District Home Care Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people living in their own homes, including live-in care.
Who the service is for
District Home Care Ltd provides support to younger adults, older adults, people living with dementia, people with physical disabilities and people living with sensory impairments. At the time of the inspection 32 people were being supported with personal care.
Key findings
We carried out this assessment from 3 July to 16 July 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. Instead, we highlight key themes and people’s experience.
People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to support them safely. A healthcare professional told us, “The care agency ensured they were providing the safest level of care. They genuinely had the best interest of the person and were doing everything in their power to support them safely.” A relative told us, “I am very happy, staff are trained properly, my relative’s individual needs are all dealt with.” Staff practice and competency was reviewed using spot checks. Staff recruitment procedures were safe.
Safeguarding systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse, and these had been audited. Staff were trained in safeguarding and were knowledgeable of safeguarding systems, and recognising and reporting potential abuse. A member of told us, “When I started, I did online training which is refreshed every year. I just completed mine for this year.” There were systems in place to record accidents and incidents. and lessons were learnt and care changed as a result to prevent recurrence.
We checked and found that staff and management worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice control and freedom over their lives. A member of staff told us, “We assume people have capacity. Even if they don’t, they can still be supported to make some decisions some days.”
Risks were assessed and people were involved in the process. A healthcare professional told us that, “all advice provided to manage people’s risks was being carried out by the carers.” There were effective systems in place to administer medicines.
People’s needs were assessed and recorded in their care plans. People were asked for their consent before support was given. A member of staff told us, “I always ask for consent before giving personal care. I look at people’s care plans first, so I know how they like to be supported. If someone declines a shower, I will try and encourage them but if they don’t want it then I will not push them.” People’s care was monitored and improvements had been made and recorded.
People were treated as individuals and with care, compassion and dignity. People were encouraged to maintain their independence. A relative told us, “Staff know all about my loved one’s dementia and mobility. All the staff are very good at getting him up and walking and keeping him mobile.”
The service had a culture of person-centred care, where staff provided support to meet people’s individual needs and preferences. Staff told us that care plans had the information they needed to provide the care people wanted and required. Staff knew people well and care was delivered in a way to reduce people’s anxieties. For example, staff were proactive in providing a person with information on when the things that were important to them would happen. Care was delivered by consistent staff.
People and relatives were listened to. Satisfaction surveys were sent to people and relatives alongside regular calls from the management team to ensure they were happy with the service they were receiving. Changes were made based on the feedback received.
There was a culture of openness and passion in providing person-centred care within the service. Staff told us that District Home Care Ltd was a good place to work, that they felt supported and received the training to do their job. Staff told us they were listened to. One member of staff told us, “Management will ask us for our input in meetings. We have recently made a request around the current heatwave, and they have listened and will provide thinner and lighter uniform during the hot months.”
Care delivery systems were in place which were regularly audited. This meant there was oversight of care and consistency of delivery was maintained, with flexibility to ensure outcomes for people. A health care professional told us, “The registered manager went above and beyond to support the discharge on a person home from hospital.” There were systems in place to review people’s care, and action was taken where the provider identified areas for improvement.