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Combe Home Care Ltd

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Unit 10, The Candar, Ilfracombe, EX34 9DS 07876 100989

Provided and run by:
Combe Home Care Ltd

Latest inspection summary

On this page

Our current view of the service

Good

Updated 21 September 2026

Our view of the service

About the service

Combe Home Care Ltd is a home care service providing personal care and support to people living in their own homes.

Who the service is for

Combe Home Care Ltd provides support to younger adults, older adults, people living with dementia and people with physical disabilities. At the time of our assessment, 49 people were receiving a personal care service.

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."

People's experience of the service

Updated 21 September 2026

People said they felt safe with staff and were happy with the support provided by them. Comments included, “I feel very safe, [staff] are very good”; “My [relative] loves having them [staff] around she feels safe with them”; “We are happy and have no concerns, we feel safe in their [staff] hands, they are very reliable” and “I think the care company have gone over and above to ensure my safety and help me regain my confidence.”

People received kind, compassionate and person-centred care from staff who knew them well and treated them with dignity and respect. Care plans were personalised, reflecting each person’s preferences, background and needs, and staff supported individuals to maintain independence, make choices, and stay connected to their communities.

Comments included, “The carers are wonderful, they are like angels, so kind”; “I am very happy with everything. The carers are very kind and friendly, and they always have time for a chat”; “All the staff are kind and caring. I would give them 5 stars plus”; “The care is absolutely everything we asked for. The carers are respectful and very considerate particularly around personal care”; “I feel lucky, they [staff] are all really good and so kind. I found it difficult at first accepting the help especially with personal care, but they have been so patient with me, we have got to know each other”; “I feel fully supported by the care I receive. They [staff] treat me like the individual I am”; “They are so kind and have made a massive difference in building my emotional side of things” and “They [staff] are very gentle and caring.”

Relatives described staff as attentive and caring, and they felt well informed about any changes.

People and their families were confident they could raise concerns, and there were clear processes.

Relatives were happy with the way their loved ones were supported and told us staff had the right skills and training.

People confirmed their needs were met by staff in partnership with relevant health and social care professionals. Comments included, “[Staff member] is very good, she got the district nurse out last week because she didn't like the look of [relative’s] leg.”

Staff promoted people’s health and wellbeing, responded promptly to their needs, and helped to reduce distress. People were treated fairly and without discrimination, and staff were confident in upholding people’s rights, including seeking consent appropriately.