Home Instead North Herts

28 Whitehorse Street, Baldock SG7 6QQ
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10 65 Reviews
  • Home Instead North Herts, Baldock
Home Instead North Herts were rated outstanding by CQC in September 2019, an additional assessment was made in 2022 and they continue to remain Outstanding.

Un-rushed Visits - Non-uniformed staff - Outstanding CQC Rating - No hidden costs - Ongoing Assessment - Daily Care Notes to Family via your Mobile - Assigned Management of Care, one to one assessment and communication.

Tailored Made Packages - Including support with:
Dementia & Specialist Support
Medication
Nutrition & Hydration
Housekeeping and Shopping
Pet Care
Personal Care
Ongoing Monitoring and Assessment
Respite, Live-in and Night Care
GP, hospital and clinic appointments

They are an award-winning company providing pro-active companionship-led care to people in their own homes in Letchworth, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston, Stevenage, Knebworth and surrounding villages.

The company individually matches care professionals to the people that they support based on personality, interests and skills required. Their experience is that continuity of care pro makes a huge difference to the quality of support that they are able to provide.

All of the people that work for them live locally and are car drivers insured to take people out into the community if that is required.

The company looks to add some colour into people’s lives that they go to, as well as providing the practical support required that help them to continue living independently in their own homes.

Care Provided by Home Instead North Herts

  • Type of Service
  • Home Care Provider
  • Privately Owned
  • Specialist Care Categories
  • Call in Service
  • Cancer Care
  • Cleaning Service
  • Companionship
  • Dementia
  • Domestic Services / Home Help
  • Food Preparation & Serving
  • High Dependency Care, two carers attending
  • Laundry Service
  • Learning Disability
  • 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
  • Adult Home Care (18+)
  • Hospital Discharge
  • Live in Carer
  • Personal Care (on a contracted hours basis)
  • Personal Care Assessments
  • Risk Assessments in the Home

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Olufemi Babalola (Owner)

Funding & Fees Guide for Home Instead North Herts

  • Prices
  • £36 per hour weekly rate, £37 per hour weekend rate


  • Live in and large care packages POA


Home Instead North Herts Reviews (65)

Total of 65, showing 1-20
10

Home Instead North Herts has a Review Score of 10 (9.976) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Home Instead North Herts has 65 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Date Published

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I write this review with heartfelt thanks from my sister and myself. Home Instead has been a godsend. They provided unfailing and professional support for our mother, not only in terms of her practical needs but also in the way they became good friends. I'm not surprised that this aspect has been mentioned
before. Our mother did not particularly want help because she was fiercely independent, but the resistance she put up bore no relation whatsoever to the warmth and happiness she felt on Home Instead's visits. We cannot fault the service we received from both the office and the carers who came out: it was very efficient, friendly, cheerful and reassuring and gave us all peace of mind. Our mother sadly passed away late last year and it meant a lot to us that two members of the care team could be present for her memorial service. We will happily recommend Home Instead to anyone looking for the best of care and company in later life. Thank you for everything!

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thanks for your kind words. It was our great pleasure and privilege looking after mum.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Home instead were prompt and friendly, always offering to do small jobs - they employ some very caring professionals.
Mum felt at ease most of the time, which given the stage of her dementia during the period of Home Instead's care was very important.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for the review, and thanks for the opportunity to care for your mum. It was a pleasure.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am thankful every day for everything the carers and office team do for Mum.
Since Mum started with Home Instead in 2022 I have not felt alone with Mum's care but part of a caring team and am so grateful for this.
Mum's carers are extremely skilled, kind and caring people. The relationships built
up are a very important part of Mum's life and she sees the carers as friends. She also feels safe and well cared for and she knows they have a high level of skills and will always do what is needed. The combination of everything the carers bring to their visits makes an enormous difference to her, and to me.
The office team are always responsive and very understanding, and supportive to me, especially as I live some distance away. When I recently visited the office to talk about my worries for the future I came away feeling reassured and so much better.
I am so grateful we have the support of such highly skilled and caring people, now and going forward into the future.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

It's a pleasure to support your mum, and we're so glad to provide the reassurance she needs. I completely understand the challenges of being further away! Thank you for a lovely review, I will ensure the care team read it.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I signed up with Home Instead a year ago for the care of my father who has dementia. I cannot fault the entire Home Instead team. The office staff are always available. Whenever I call, the phone is picked up quickly and there's always a friendly voice to listen to my concerns or questions. They're
easy to talk to and always willing to accommodate any requests or changes to my dad's care. On our first meeting, the team said that it was their aim to develop a relationship with my mum and dad to become more of a friend than a support worker. They have delivered that goal completely. My mum has enjoyed the respite given as a result of all the laughs and shoulders to cry on she has received. My dad loves his visits from the team and is noticeably brighter and alert when they're around. The peace of mind these friendly, down-to-earth, caring people have given me is invaluable. My parents are in the best hands. Thanks to all the team.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for your kind words, it is a pleasure to support your parents and we are delighted that they have become regular attendees of our Chatty Cafe also.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Home Instead came to our rescue when we needed care urgently for my dad. At our initial meeting, they were genuine, warm-hearted and compassionate. They efficiently arranged the care needed and the member of staff was kind, respectful and supportive to us as a family, as well as attentive to Dad. We
are so grateful and impressed with their service.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

It was an honour to be a part of such an important part of your dad's journey. What a lovely family, who supported your dad's wishes to keep him at home. Thank you for your kind words.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot rate this care company highly enough. From the beginning of the review of our care needs to the provision of carers to support us at home, I felt that Home Instead was very professional and would provide the best standard of care and support for my husband suffering from Dementia and Parkinson's.
I was not wrong in that assumption, as the carers quickly developed a compassionate relationship from the beginning which invariably gave him a lift in mood if he was having a bad day. This in turn instilled a confidence that we would both be supported whatever problem arose. As a family, we are so grateful to the whole team and have no hesitation in recommending them.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for such a lovely review, it was an absolute pleasure to be able to support you and your husband.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a wonderful team of truly caring professionals! The staff working at the Hitchin branch of Home Instead really do go above and beyond what is expected. From the occasion when a lovely carer just popped in on her free time just to check in (and ended up staying ages and being really supportive)
to when an administrator reacted so quickly to changing client needs that I was bowled over. In addition, the care staff that we were lucky enough to be allocated had fantastic communication skills and punctuality and gave brilliant emotional and practical support to the family (i.e. me and my sister) despite not having known us for very long at all. Amazing care and support all around. I highly recommend this caring team to support a loved one.

Reply from Sarah J Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

It was an honour to support your family through this difficult time and thank you for your kind review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Home Instead looked after my father very well throughout his time as a client. The care providers were friendly and compassionate, making sure all his needs were met. They couldn't have done more to ensure he could stay in his own home while he was able to do so.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for such a lovely review. We loved visiting your father, I do hope he's settling into the home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Home Instead North Herts looked after Mum for a year, starting with one visit a day and going on to four visits a day. We all appreciated the care which was given to Mum. In late April Mum was taken ill while the carers were with her. The carers managed the situation with thought and care while they
waited for an ambulance. When she came home from hospital the carers were there to support her. Sadly Mum was taken ill twice more. After one incident a carer stayed behind to change the bed and to wash the bedding. Mum has now gone into a care home as she could no longer manage in her own home but I cannot fault the care she was given up to that point. Thank you.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Field Care Supervisor at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you so much for sending in your review. The ladies miss your Mum, I do hope she is settling in okay.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Good quality care was provided for Mum over a period of approximately two and a half years. Efforts were always made to provide appropriate levels of care and appropriate carers as Mum's condition deteriorated a little as time progressed. We were kept up to date on specific issues and there was a good
cooperative and supportive relationship between us.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for your kind words, we are proud of the support our care professionals were able to give your Mum, enabling her to stay at home whilst she was living with dementia. I hope she is settling in and enjoying her next chapter.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother was given consistent friendly and supportive care over a 3 year period. Meals were prepared on a 3 times a day basis and shopping lists were prepared as necessary. Communication between Home Instead, Care Givers and myself was excellent.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you so much for your kind words, we loved supporting and caring for your Mum. The care professionals miss her dearly.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were very pleased with the service provided by Home Instead for my mother-in-law. It was good to know that they were able to adapt to her changing needs, especially when she came out of hospital and needed more help. Communications were very good and I liked having the app so that I could see what
had been done, and how my mother-in-law was after each visit. Thank you.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for your review and kind words. I am so pleased we were able to assist.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum was, at first, hesitant to accept care, being very proudly independent, but then in came her amazing carers, and they enhanced her life and took the pressure off of me. The care and companionship she received were ‘out of this world’. Her carers actually became her best friends and were the most
amazing, genuine, caring individuals you could ever meet. The fact that she could be taken out in their cars to coffee shops or shopping, wherever she chose or adapted to provide friendship, support and meals on days she wasn’t well enough to go out, made their service unique. I will be forever grateful to the incredible kind carers Mum had, who were the loveliest people I’ve ever met and also supported me by staying with Mum when she became medically unwell, often over their shift to ensure things were under control when ambulances were needed and comforting me and Mum before they left. Eternally grateful.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

It was an absolute pleasure supporting your Mum. I will ensure your kind words are passed on to our amazing care professionals. Thank you.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff in the office were always pleasant and very helpful, and the ladies always turned up on time and were very caring and considerate towards my husband. My husband always enjoyed their visits and would chat with them.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for your kind words, it was a pleasure to support you.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

On behalf of my extended family and personally from my mother and I, her daughter, we wish to thank you all so much for your support, kindness and professionalism in caring for my father.
Your caregivers are ‘angels’ in disguise who have genuine compassion which is extremely rare to find. Also despite
caring for my father they would also have empathy for my mother which was so important and reassuring.
The communication between us was always up to date and I would not hesitate to recommend to other people.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

It's been a pleasure to support and care for your family, you will be missed. Thank you so much for your kind words, I will ensure I pass them on to the care professionals. I'm very proud of the fabulous work our team provide. We wish Dad every happiness in his next chapter.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

On approaching Home Instead for the care of my parents, a very thorough history was taken. This resulted in a highly individual and successful package.
A small team of kind, thoughtful and hard-working carers carried out the care. They often went to great lengths to support my parents through trying
times.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you Kirsten for your lovely review. I will make sure the team receive your kind words.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have engaged with Home Instead on three occasions over the last 3 years to support our parents. We have always found the carers and support staff in the office to be professional, caring, compassionate, friendly, reliable and they have gone the extra mile to ensure safety of our mum and dad.
Initially
they supported caring for my mum towards end of life 3 years ago, then helping the care and rehabilitation of my dad back to independence following a major operation and then again over this last year when he (and we) needed help to support him to continue to live at home until he sadly died this year.
As a family, Home Instead gave us confidence that our parents were provided with high quality compassionate care and the support to maintain their independence for as long as possible. I would happily recommend them.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you. We love what we do, but it's lovely to get feedback from you, the people we love to support. It was a pleasure and they will both be dearly missed. I'm glad we had a positive impact at this stage of the journey.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both the ladies that came to help mum for a few months before she went into hospital and into a care home were really kind and thoughtful. They really looked after mum so well and I had every confidence in them. The team at head office were very professional and got in touch with me very quickly when
necessary, as well as persevering with getting assistance for her from her doctor's surgery urgently when I couldn't. I would thoroughly recommend their service.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Registered Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for such a lovely review, I will make sure the Care Pro's see this, it was a pleasure to visit. I do wish your Mum all the best in her next chapter.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A brilliant service. Same two mature staff apart from three occasions over three years. Nothing too much trouble. Flexible and person-centred. Kept my father living with dementia in his own home for much longer than we thought would be possible.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Recruitment & Communication Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for your kind words, I will ensure the care professionals are made aware. We hope your father is enjoying the next chapter of his life, in the care home. The girls miss him!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The three ladies who come (in rotation) to be with my parents are always kind, professional, enthusiastic and patient. They are very interested in Mum and Dad as people and go to great lengths to ensure that they are as safe and as healthy as possible, whilst helping them to retain as much independence
as is practicable.
Having got to know Mum and Dad so well, the ladies have initiated activities during the day that not only provide companionship (eg, playing games with Mum), but also address their well-being (eg mentally stimulating exercises, like crosswords, and physical exercises for Dad, who has Parkinson's-type dementia).
When I am not with my parents, I have complete confidence that they are being well looked after by the Home Instead ladies, and the notes they write (accessed on my mobile) are very useful in keeping track of what has been happening during each visit.

Reply from Jo Hooper, Communication & Recruitment Manager at Home Instead North Herts

Thank you for this lovely review, I will ensure the care professionals read this and see the difference they are making daily. It is a pleasure to support your family, thank you for giving us the privilege.


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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.976)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.976) out of 10 for Home Instead North Herts is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 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 4.976 for Home Instead North Herts is calculated as follows: ( (81 Excellents x 5) + (2 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 83 Ratings = 4.976

  • 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 North Herts is based on 14 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: 26 Sep 2019

Overall
Outstanding

  • Caring

    Outstanding
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Outstanding
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Outstanding

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

View Latest Report

Awards / Recognitions (7)

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Meet the Team (6)

Olufemi

Olufemi Babalola

Job Title: Owner

Joined: 2022

Hello, I’m Femi, the owner of Home Instead in Stevenage and North Hertfordshire. I have a 22 year background in medical practice, specialising in mental health. My clinical practice over the years has helped forge strong personal and professional values that are in line with Home Instead’s core value of client centred care.


My personal experience of looking after a parent with dementia, as well as my professional work as a specialist in dementia care has allowed me to understand the importance of promoting the client’s independence and ability to make choices, even in the face of the odds and challenges they might be facing, as a consequence of poor health.


My experience and values from clinical practice will be brought to bear in providing overarching leadership to the franchise as it continues to further its vision of providing care to the highest standards, in our local communities of Hitchin, Letchworth, Stevenage and surrounding towns and villages.


Jo

Jo Hooper

Job Title: Registered Manager

Joined: 2019

My aim: is to ensure our service is Caring, Safe, Effective and Responsive for our Clients and the team we serve.


My Why: To find a role that gives back, that makes me want to get up in the morning and make a difference. My Mum has recently been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, so I understand how important it is for people to know that care and support are available to maintain a happy and safe life in your home. But not just care ... blooming good care - outstanding care, bespoke tailored care that meets an individual's needs and goals.


Philippa

Philippa Moorley

Job Title: Head of Quality Assurance, Field Care

Joined: 2020

I joined Home Instead in 2020 as a Field Care Supervisor after previously working in many different Residential Care and Domiciliary settings.


Home Instead has enabled me to continue my passion for care out in the field and within the office by supporting our CAREGivers and clients. I look after other CAREGivers and get to see them working with their clients. I support them in their roles and see first-hand the differences that they are making in their clients' lives.


I have my clients and I also get to work with the office staff who are outstanding in their service to others. I am very proud to be a part of Home Instead it is a very different care service!


Sharon

Sharon Stevens

Job Title: Recruitment & Engagement

Joined: 2021

My aim is to improve and streamline processes in Recruitment, and to ensure each individual has a positive first experience with Home Instead. Improving the initial client impression and building engagement and promoting brand awareness.


My Why: I started working with Home Instead in August 2021 as a Care Professional. I joined the office team in January 2023, focusing on Recruitment and Engagement with staff, social media and the local community.


Initially, I was drawn to Home Instead for its ethos of kindness, compassion, and relationships. While work can sometimes get very busy, I can see how we are making a difference in the quality of life of our Clients and their families. In the past I have worked for corporations that were solely focused on bottom lines; but with Home Instead, it feels like we are here to focus on the bottom of Client’s hearts.


Sue

Sue Akester

Job Title: Training Manager

Joined: 2022

My aim is to train and educate you so that you can feel safe, supported and confident when visiting your clients in the local community.


My Why: was my dad. When I was young, every school holiday I used to go to work with him and help. Christmas days were spent at the care home dishing up dinner and giving out presents whilst my mum was cooking our dinner. It gave me a passion for this industry which never went away and was always what I was going to do.


Sarah

Sarah Broadbent

Job Title: Scheduler

Joined: 2022

I aim to ensure that we continue to give both our clients and care professionals a schedule that runs smoothly and provides reliable continuity of care, keeping both care pros and clients informed at all stages.


My Why: I was privileged to care for both my parents at the end of their lives, enabling them to follow their wishes to be at home.  It gave me an insight and understanding of what a person, as well as their family, might need support with at this time.  Towards the end of my Mum’s life, we had care professionals in to help with her personal care.  For a short time, it enabled me to be her daughter rather than her care professional.  I realised what valuable and special people care professionals are, and it planted the seed in my brain that this was a path I wanted to follow.


I have completed over 1000 hours of care since I worked for Home Instead. I feel extremely passionate about the service Home Instead provides and the level of care we offer, as well as their ethos in providing the best person-centred care that we can, enabling us to keep our lovely clients at home.


Frequently Asked Questions about Home Instead North Herts

What Type of Services does Home Instead North Herts offer?

Home Instead North Herts offers Home Care.

How many Carers does Home Instead North Herts employ?

Home Instead North Herts employs 50 carers.