We heard from people across the city who receive care in their own homes. People praised carers for being kind, respectful and professional, and pointed to everyday factors that make the biggest difference: seeing familiar staff, being told when visit times change, carers with the right skills for specific needs, and care plans that are reviewed and kept up to date. We gathered feedback through an online survey and conversations at local community venues.
What works well
• Care workers who are compassionate, patient and respectful.
• Support at home that helps people feel more confident about daily life.
• Well organised visits that help people plan their day and feel safe.
What needs to improve
• Consistency of staff, so routines can form and small changes in health or mood are noticed quickly.
• Clear, timely communication about visit times and any delays.
• Practical training for carers supporting people with dementia, sensory loss and other complex needs.
• Regular, person-centred reviews so care plans reflect changing needs.
We have shared these findings with Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB. Their response sets out how they will strengthen oversight and support improvement, including joint quality assurance through the Integrated Quality Assurance Framework, use of electronic call monitoring by contracted providers, a focus on timely support plan reviews, and clearer information for citizens.
Read the full report and the provider and commissioner response below.
| What people told us about domiciliary (home) care in Birmingham | Download File (pdf 506.00 KB) |