The family-run company was rated ‘Good’ in four of five categories, and ‘Outstanding’ in the other in the Care Quality Commission’s latest report.

A Honiton care agency has been rated ‘Good’ by health watchdog Care Quality Commission following two inspections earlier this year.

Absolute Care South West, in New Street, was visited by inspectors in May and June.

The family-run company was rated ‘Good’ in four of five categories, and ‘Outstanding’ in the other.

Inspectors noted that people and relatives said the service was ‘very reliable’ and people benefitted from staff understanding their safeguarding responsibilities.

At the time of the inspection, the care agency was providing a service to 42 people.

The report said people and relatives spokes about the ‘exceptionally caring nature’ of the agency’s staff, and highlighted the service’s ‘strong, person-centred culture’.

It added: “Care staff were motivated and spoke with kindness and compassion about the people who they treated like members of their extended family.

“Staff went that extra mile for people supported and rewarded people with acts of exceptional kindness.”

Inspectors noted that staff ‘acted as an advocate’ for the service’s clients and ‘communicated regularly’ about what they thought in a person’s interest, even when family members disagreed.

The report also praised the skills demonstrated by staff in helping people to remain independent.

It noted: “For a person who had lost their confidence in going outside, the registered manager arranged to bring the person out in their car for a birthday treat, and encouraged them to start exercising to strengthen their limbs in preparation for the trip.

“The person really enjoyed their trip, which boosted their confidence.”

Joanna Read, registered manager of Absolute Care South West, said: “We are very happy that we continue to retain a ‘Good rating’.

“We are very pleased we got an ‘Outstanding’ rating in our care - hopefully next time we will get an overall outstanding grade.

“People like that we are a small family business because they feel they can always contact us and rely on us.

“This great rating is all credit to my team, they are very supportive and committed and they all go out of their way to make people’s lives better.

“They are conscientious caring lot and we are very lucky to have them.

“There are a lot of lonely people out there and its important to have consistency and keep relationships going between staff and the users of our service.”