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Individual Homecare Services

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Unit 67 Dunston House, Sheepbridge Works, Dunston Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9QD (01246) 456639

Provided and run by:
Mrs Helen Wheeler

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile

Latest inspection summary

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Our current view of the service

Good

Updated 28 May 2026

Date of assessment: 29 May 2026 to 19 June 2026. Individual Homecare Services is a care at home agency that provides personal care to people living in their own homes. CQC only inspects where people are receiving the regulated activity personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we consider any wider social care provided. At the time of this inspection, 14 people were receiving support with personal care.

Individual Homecare Services is a care service which provides care for adults of all ages who may have dementia, mental health support needs, substance misuse problems, learning disability or autism, or a physical disability. We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

We gave the provider notice of our inspection because we needed to ensure the registered manager would be available to meet with the inspector at the provider’s office.

A learning culture was evident, and people felt they could raise any concerns and the staff and management would listen. There were enough staff with the right skills, knowledge, and experience to meet people’s needs. We found some specific training and oversight for staff had not been kept updated. The provider acknowledged this and took immediate action to improve these areas. Staff confirmed they were able to directly approach the provider should they have any concerns relating to their training and oversight. Staff managed people’s prescribed medicines well.

Prior to starting with the service people's needs were assessed to determine whether the service could meet those needs. People and their relatives were involved with agreeing the level of care and support they would receive when they started to use the service. Care records contained detailed, person-centred guidance that enabled staff to respond to people's individual preferences. People were treated equally, without discrimination and systems were in place to support people who had communication needs. People were involved in decisions about their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff treated people as individuals and protected their privacy and dignity. Staff explained how they involved people in their care and support to ensure this matched with their personal preferences and routines.

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and worked in partnership with other agencies to make sure people were encouraged to identify and achieve their goals. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity. People received fair and equal care and treatment.

The provider and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. The registered manager was knowledgeable, treated staff fairly and respected their wellbeing. Governance systems were in place. Communication with people who used the service and staff was generally very positive.
 

People's experience of the service

Updated 28 May 2026

During our inspection we spoke with 7 people or their relatives, to get their feedback on the care provided. The majority of people and relatives were very complimentary about their experiences of care received.

All the people we spoke with told us their staff were kind, respectful and caring. A number of people commented how they had regular and familiar carers. One person said, “Yes, it’s the same staff all the time and sometimes they stay a bit longer than they should. It’s lovely company, as I don’t see many people and it’s nice to have time for a chat.” Another shared, “They have been incredibly flexible and supportive over the last 2-3 years (due to hospital admissions) we were very appreciative of their flexibility.” Daily notes and staff feedback supported this, demonstrating staff who encouraged independence and offered choice about day-to-day support.

People confirmed they received their calls at the expected times. Where the provider had known about a delay, calls were made to assure people of this and the expected new time. A rota was provided for people on request to inform of the expected schedule. Adjustments were made to visit times when feasible, where these had been requested.

Staff were described as observant and quick to act when health needs changed, or additional support needs were identified; “They’re the first to volunteer if they see things they can help me with.” People confirmed they had access to their support plans and were involved in the assessment and review process. One person shared, “Yes, I have a care plan that I completed with them, so the staff all know what to do and do it right.”

People told us they felt listened to, involved in decisions and were asked for their consent before care and support was delivered and staff supported some people to make choices when this was required. People told us they knew who the manager was and would be able to contact the office if needed and that they were confident any concerns raised would be addressed.