What Does Good Care Actually Look Like?

Choosing the right care provider for a loved one is one of the most important decisions a family can make. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to tell the difference between good care and great care.

This guide is designed to help you understand the standards that define high-quality home care, so you can make an informed, confident choice.

Questions to Ask a Care Provider

Before choosing a care provider, it’s essential to ask the right questions. These can reveal how well a provider understands your loved one’s needs, how they deliver care, and whether they’re the right fit for your family. Start with:

• What training do your Care Professionals receive?
• Will we have the same Care Professional regularly?
• How do you match Care Professionals with clients?
• How do you handle emergencies or changes in health needs?
• What does a typical visit include?
• Can you support specific medical or personal needs?
• How is care reviewed and updated over time?

A high-quality provider will welcome these questions and offer clear, confident answers backed by examples and evidence.

Signs of High-Quality Care at Home

There are a few tell-tale signs that a home care provider is delivering genuinely high-quality care:

• Continuity and consistency: The same Care Professional visits regularly, building trust and rapport.
• Respect and dignity: Care is delivered in a way that honours the person’s independence, preferences, and identity.
• Responsiveness: The care plan evolves with the client’s needs, and communication is open and proactive.
• Punctuality and reliability: Visits happen on time, with sufficient time given to complete tasks without rushing.
• Client involvement: Clients and families are included in planning and reviewing care.
• Well-supported staff: Happy, valued Care Professionals tend to provide better care.

Understanding CQC Ratings

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. All registered care providers are inspected and rated across five key areas:

1. Safe – Are people protected from harm and abuse?
2. Effective – Does the care meet people’s needs and achieve good outcomes?
3. Caring – Do staff involve and treat people with compassion and respect?
4. Responsive – Is care tailored to individual needs?
5. Well-led – Is the service well managed?

Providers receive one of four overall ratings:

• Outstanding
• Good
• Requires Improvement
• Inadequate

When considering a provider, read their full inspection report—not just the headline rating—to get the full picture of how care is delivered.

What Personalised Care Really Means

“Personalised care” is more than just a buzzword. It means:

• Listening first: Understanding what matters most to the individual—not just what needs to be done.
• Tailored plans: Designing care around routines, preferences, and personality—not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
• Companionship and connection: Emotional wellbeing is as important as physical health.
• Choice and control: The person receiving care is involved in every decision, every step of the way.

Personalised care empowers people to live life on their terms, safely and with dignity.

What Makes Home Instead Cleveland Different?

At Home Instead Cleveland, we’ve built our reputation on relationship-led care that goes above and beyond checklists and timetables.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Minimum one-hour visits: No rushed calls. Our Care Professionals have time to listen, support, and truly connect.
• Thoughtful matching: We match clients with Care Professionals based on shared interests, personality, and lifestyle.
• Exceptional training: Every team member is trained to our award-winning standards, including dementia care and end-of-life support.
• Outstanding care: We are proud of our high CQC rating and the glowing reviews from clients and their families.
• Local, trusted, and personal: We are part of the community and understand the specific needs of older people in Cleveland and the surrounding areas.

Our mission is simple: to help people live well at home, with the dignity and respect they deserve.