- Homecare service
ISSAC
Assessment report published 22 July 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: We visited the service’s office on 10 June 2026 and reviewed information which the registered manager sent us electronically.
ISSAC (Independent Specialist Support and Care) provides personal care to people living in their own homes. They support both older and younger adults and those with a learning disability. ISSAC provide both a home care and a supported living service. This report only covers the home care service for people who receive personal care.
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 assessment, 14 people were receiving personal care and came under the regulated service.
We assessed the service against the principles of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with autism and a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.We found the service was meeting the principles of this guidance. Staff supported people to remain independent in their own homes, maintain relationships and access opportunities within their local communities.
The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, whoreceived effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to providesafe care which met people’s individual needs. Recruitment checks were carried out before staff worked at the service.
Staff used an electronic care management system to record care delivery, daily notes and observations in real time. This enabled consistent communication across the staff team and ensured important information, such as changes in health, risks or actions required, was shared promptly.
The provider promoted an inclusive and fair workplace. Employment practices were flexible and responsive to individual needs, supporting staff to balance their work and personal commitments. One staff member described how this enabled them to work while managing their caring responsibilities.
The nominated individual, who is the person appointed by the provider with overall responsibility for supervising the management of the regulated activity, was also the registered manager. They were visible, approachable and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the service. They told us they were looking to expand the home care service. However, they reported challenges in relation to recruitment and receiving new referrals due to the large number of care providers operating within the local area. They explained they were committed to maintaining safe staffing levels and did not intend to expand the service or accept additional referrals until sufficient staff were in place to support people safely and effectively.
People's experience of this service
People and their relatives spoke positively about the care and support they received. They told us staff were reliable, caring and knew people well, which helped them feel safe and confident in the service. They told us they valued the consistency of the staff team and told us they were usually supported by the same carers. This helped staff develop a good understanding of people's needs, preferences and routines. Relatives described feeling reassured by the care provided, with comments such as, “He is safe with them,” and “I feel safe to come away and leave them to care for my relative.”
People and relatives told us staff delivered care in a kind and compassionate way. Relatives described staff as caring, friendly and committed to people's wellbeing. A relative said staff “always make time to chat and have a laugh,” while another told us, “I cannot fault them, they are so willing to make her happy.” Relatives also described how staff supported them as well as their family members, providing reassurance and confidence in the care being delivered.
People and relatives spoke positively about the management of the service. They described managers as approachable and responsive and said communication was effective. Relatives told us queries were responded to promptly and they felt able to raise concerns and were confident these would be addressed.
Relatives described the service as well managed and delivering a good standard of care. They told us they would recommend the service to others, with a relative commenting, “You'll never regret using them.” Another said, “I'm happy, me relative's happy, we never have a bad day.”