Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Lingfield House, Lingfield Point, Darlington DL1 1RW
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9.8 63 Reviews
  • Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton), Darlington
Home Instead (Darlington) has an experienced team of professionals who are skilled in helping older people make the most of their daily lives, within the comfort of their own homes.

The provider takes pride in a reliable and quality service, supporting happiness and comfort while safeguarding any individual well-being issues.

The service is personalised and can include companionship, with a focus on dignity and independence.

Care Provided by Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

  • Type of Service
  • Home Care Provider
  • Privately Owned
  • Specialist Care Categories
  • Cancer Care
  • Cleaning Service
  • Companionship
  • Dementia
  • Domestic Services / Home Help
  • Food Preparation & Serving
  • High Dependency Care, two carers attending
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Assistance
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Older Person Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Personal Hygiene Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite cover
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Shopping Service / Errands
  • Sit in Service
  • Transportation Service
  • Other Care Provided
  • 24 Hour Care
  • Hospital Discharge
  • Personal Care (on a contracted hours basis)
  • Personal Care Assessments
  • Risk Assessments in the Home

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Judith Ayre (Care Manager)

Funding & Fees Guide for Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

  • Prices
  • Available on request


Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) Reviews (63)

Total of 63, showing 21-40
9.8

Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.763) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) has 63 reviews.

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Date Published

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two regular carers on evening visits. Occasionally my wife's dementia makes it difficult for them to get her motivated, but both ladies are very forceful in their own particular ways. They overcome the situation without any tears and more often than not, followed by plenty of laughter.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your review of the service. It's good to know that everyone has a laugh.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My adjustment to living in a care home has not been easy. The support offered by all Home Instead care professionals has been invaluable and the relationship built up over time with my regular carers strikes the right balance between complete professionalism and friendship. I trust them implicitly.
I'm also impressed by the very wide range of skills, experience and knowledge they possess. They are able to turn their hands and minds to most things - another invaluable attribute.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. It is good to hear that your carers have helped with your transition into a care home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Over the last 18 months the care given by Home Instead has been exemplary. The care givens have done an excellent job looking after Mam. They have had many a laugh and brightened Mam's days. The service given by the administrative staff have also been excellent. Any problems were dealt with swiftly
and efficiently I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of Home Instead.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your lovely comments, it's lovely to hear that your mum is enjoying her visits from the care givers and that you feel supported by the office team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Six years of daily care, carried out sympathetically and efficiently.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are very proud to have been supporting you for over six years.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I am very relaxed and happy with my carer.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your kind review and for taking the time to write it.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Home Instead has exceeded my expectations. I was concerned about finding an effective care service but I feel that I can trust Home Instead completely. All the staff care deeply about the work they do and they are professional and helpful. It has taken a great deal of pressure off me knowing they are
there. The manager creates an ethos of respect and dignity. This is appreciated.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. It's lovely to hear that you trust us completely and that the pressure on you is alleviated.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff support my mum who has dementia to remain in her own home. They are always helpful, cheerful and offer excellent support. All staff are professional, courteous and caring. Staff always discuss any problems with me and are a great help to Mum. I would strongly recommend Home Instead to families
in a similar situation to mine.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Many thanks for your lovely comments and for taking the time to write the review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had care for 2 years and have received excellent attention. I have recommended Home Instead to friends who are also satisfied with the care and attention.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your kind words and for finding the time to write this review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Home Instead carers are exceptional people. Home Instead carry out careful recruitment processes and it shows. Staff are caring and focused on safety as well as my mother's emotional needs. I have no fears around recommending them very, very highly.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your lovely comments. Our caregivers are truly exceptional people.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Mum's health and abilities have changed rapidly at times and so we have needed to increase and change the service we receive. Home Instead has responded to this and provided what we needed to keep Mum safe and cared for in her own home.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your comments. We do take pride in being able to react swiftly to our clients changing needs and it's good to know that you feel the same.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I prefer to use the same carer each visit - this Home Instead does. Whilst not the cheapest I prefer the same service and am prepared to pay for this excellent service.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for taking the time to write such positive comments.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am planning to go away for a short while in July, which entails leaving my mother who has dementia. The preparations and advice given by Home Instead, Darlington certainly provides peace of mind. I know my mother is going to be left in the capable hands of the wonderful and caring staff members.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely review. I hope you enjoy your time away and we will ensure your mother is supported well.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Mother was supported for a few years by Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) until she sadly passed away in March this year. I have always found the care to be excellent and have always been able to contact the service easily. The care givers that supported my Mother always made her feel special.
They reassured her when things became more difficult. They kept in touch with myself and my brother and we all worked together to find the best way forward to meet Mother's changing needs. I have no hesitation in recommending this service to others.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your very kind words. Your mother was a pleasure to support and I know how much her CAREGivers enjoyed her company. She was a lovely lady and will be sadly missed.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The carers and management team at Home Instead Darlington have been brilliant looking after my Aunty over a number of years of in-home care. As my Aunty's conditions deteriorated, the carers continued to support my Aunty in-home with an ever-increasing level of service including 24hr support. The management
team flagged the challenges that we faced and then worked closely with me and our solicitors to transition my Aunty into permanent care. They helped me with the transition process and continued to send carers to visit my Aunty in the care home in order to provide a regular friendly face for her as she settled in. I live over 250 miles from my Aunty so couldn't deal with day-to-day issues; Home Instead were invaluable in providing that support. Over the years of care that Home Instead provided both in-home and during the transfer to permanent care, I can't praise them highly enough for their patience, tolerance, professionalism and humour. Many thanks to a wonderful team!

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you so much for your very kind comments. We all loved your Aunty, she was a strong woman with a fabulous character and it was only right that we were able to support her transition from own home to a local care home. It was a privilege to know her.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had care from Home Instead for almost seven years, firstly to look after my husband and now me. I have always found the carers so helpful with a very happy disposition and so willing to help with anything. Since lockdown a year ago a caregiver does my weekly shopping. She has been a marvellous
help. Office communications are excellent.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to write this review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care provided by Home Instead senior care was excellent. The office staff provided weekly rotas in advance and were extremely helpful at providing extra care at short notice when needed. The caregivers were outstanding and gave excellent support for my mother.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your kind words. The CAREGivers loved supporting your mother and always enjoyed their visits to her.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mum, who has Alzheimer's, has a carer who comes twice a week to check she's taken medication and is set up for lunchtime (she forgets to eat otherwise). My mum doesn't have many conversations and spends her time doing crosswords. She's really happy with her carer, who admittedly doesn't have much
to do, but she's a different face for Mum. All I care is that Mym is happy, which she is, and comfortable with her carer, which she is; she calls her, "her friend", which says it all for me.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Many thanks for your comments, it's good to know that your mum is enjoying the company of our caregivers.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

During this unprecedented time of the pandemic due to Covid-19, my husband and I are in receipt of a fairly intense care package, and our Home Instead caregiver team have unfailingly cared or us with great skill, patience and kindness despite any possible risk to themselves.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you for your kind response. These are certainly challenging times, but I know the team do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our clients and their families are paramount.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had the services of Home Instead Darlington for 21 months and cannot recommend them highly enough. The whole team, be it management or carers, have given us above and beyond our expectations. We have never felt let down and feel perfectly able to make contact by phone and always receive full
care, attention and prompt service. We recommend Home Instead Darlington to our friends and social contacts. Thank you to the whole team.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

Thank you so much for taking the time to write and send this review and thank you for recommending our services to others.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The carers who work for 'Home Instead Senior Care' have been absolutely marvelous. They encourage me to do what I can for myself and assist where I can't. They are friendly and chatty, and nothing is too much trouble for them. They tidy up and leave the bedroom and bathroom clean and tidy. My confidence
has grown as I feel totally safe when they are there. I would trust them with my life, my money and my belongings. They are very honest and caring.

Reply from Diane Chandler, Owner at Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton)

I am so pleased to hear that you are enjoying the support you receive and it's heartening to know, that even though you started the service recently, the relationship you have with your caregivers is already strong. Thank you for taking the time to write the review and for your kind words.


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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.763)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.763) out of 10 for Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 18 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Home Care Provider is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.763 for Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) is calculated as follows: ( (92 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 114 Ratings = 4.763

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows: 3 points for the first Positive Review, 2 points in total for each of the next 9 Positive Reviews (1st = 3, 2nd = 0.5, 3rd = 0.5, 4th = 0.25, 5th = 0.25, 6th = 0.1, 7th = 0.1, 8th = 0.1, 9th = 0.1, 10th = 0.1)

    The 5 points relating to the number of Positive Reviews for Home Instead (Darlington & Northallerton) is based on 18 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as follows: 3 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 5

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Home Care Provider does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 4 Jul 2023

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Outstanding
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Good
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Awards / Recognitions (11)

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Meet the Team (2)

Diane

Diane Chandler

Job Title: Director

Joined: 2012

I have always worked with children and families and have enjoyed making sure that they receive good quality care. However, when my mother-in-law needed support to stay in her own home; we struggled to find the appropriate care. At that time I was considering moving away from early years and was looking at other options that allowed me to utilise the skills, experience and qualifications I had worked hard to build. The ethos of Home Instead is one I can truly relate to and I am very proud to be able to offer local residents the opportunity to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes with dignity and respect.


As Director, my role is to build relationships with local providers and organisations, look at opportunities for Home Instead to contribute to the local community and to manage the business side of the operation.


Judith

Judith Ayre

Job Title: Care Manager

Joined: 2012

I joined Home Instead Senior Care as the ethos and values are similar to my own; providing person centred support in a caring and compassionate manner. This has a positive response to the person receiving the support whether it is through companionship, home help or personal care. I pride myself in providing excellent, tailored support to meet the individual needs and I am looking forward to meeting and supporting clients within the Darlington, Northallerton and Richmond areas.