Chamomile Care

FAQs

What is domiciliary care and how does it work?

Domiciliary care, also known as home care, provides personalised support in the comfort of your own home so you can live life on your own terms. Fully trained Care Workers visit as little or as often as you require to help with daily tasks, personal care, mobility, and companionship. Care is one-to-one and person-centred, designed around your routines, preferences, and goals. The aim is to maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life while bringing peace of mind to you and your family. Here’s how it works: Assessment - A care assessment identifies needs, routines, risks and preferences. Care plan - A personalised care plan sets out what support is needed, when visits happen and how care is delivered. Visits - Trained Care Workers provide support at agreed times, from short 30 minute visits upwards. Review - Care is reviewed regularly and adjusted as needs change.

When should we consider arranging home care?

There’s no set age or diagnosis—consider home care when extra support would make life easier, safer, or more enjoyable. Common signs include difficulty with daily routines, mobility challenges, recovering from an operation, feelings of loneliness, or simply preferring to avoid a move into residential care. A friendly chat with our team can clarify options and next steps without pressure. We’ll help you decide what level of support feels right and adapt it as needs change.

Which areas do you cover?

We cover the post towns of Abingdon, UK, Oxford, UK, Didcot, UK, Wallingford, UK, Witney, UK, and their surrounding villages and hamlets. Abingdon - Appleton, Bayworth, Bessels Leigh, Burcot, Clifton Hampden, Cothill, Culham, Drayton, Dry Sandford, Frilford, Frilford Heath, Garford, Gozzard's Ford, Little Wittenham, Long Wittenham, Lower Radley, Marcham, Milton, Radley, Shippon, Steventon, Sunningwell, Sutton Courtenay, Sutton Wick,Whitecross, Wootton Oxford - Boars Hill, Botley, Chawley, Cowley, Cumnor, Cumnor Hill, Dean Court, Headington, Jericho, Kennington, Lye Valley, North Oxford, Summertown, Sunnymead, Wolvercote, Wood Farm, Wytham Didcot Wallingford - Benson, Berinsfield, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Dorchester Witney - Eynsham

What daily support can you provide at home?

Chamomile Care provides flexible, person-centred support to help people live safely and comfortably at home. Daily support can include personal care, medication prompts, meal preparation, mobility assistance, companionship, light housekeeping, shopping, and help with appointments. Each visit is tailored to individual routines and preferences, whether short check-ins or longer visits. Our trained Care Workers focus on dignity, consistency, and clear communication with families.

How often can visits happen, and can the plan change over time?

Visits can be arranged as often as needed, from occasional check-ins to multiple visits each day, including weekends and bank holidays. Support is always tailored to the individual. Care plans are not fixed; they are reviewed regularly and can be adjusted at any time if needs, routines or preferences change. This flexibility helps ensure care remains appropriate, responsive and aligned with what matters most to the person and their family.

How is the care plan created and tailored to me?

Your care plan is created through a detailed assessment that focuses on you as an individual. We take time to understand your needs, routines, preferences, health considerations and what matters most to you. A key aim is to help you remain as independent as possible, supporting you to do what you can for yourself while providing help where needed. Where appropriate, we involve family members and other professionals. From this, a personalised plan is written that clearly sets out how support will be delivered. The plan is reviewed regularly and can be updated at any time, ensuring care continues to reflect your wishes and changing needs.

How do you match Care Workers to clients?

We carefully match Care Workers to each client to support comfort, trust and continuity. Matching is based on individual needs, routines, interests, communication style and any specific preferences. We also consider experience and skills, for example dementia support or mobility needs. Wherever possible, we keep the same small team of Care Workers supporting each person, which helps build familiar relationships and consistent care. This thoughtful approach supports wellbeing, confidence and a positive experience at home.

How are your Care Workers vetted, trained, and supported?

All Care Workers are carefully recruited and vetted before supporting clients. This includes Enhanced DBS checks, employment history checks and references. New team members complete the Care Certificate, supported by in-house classroom training and structured online learning, covering areas such as dignity, safeguarding, medication support and person-centred care. We also support professional development through external Level 3 and Level 5 Apprenticeships. Our Care Workers are paid above the Oxford Living Wage and receive ongoing guidance from a management team with over 40 years of combined experience. This helps ensure care is safe, consistent and delivered with compassion.

Are you regulated by the CQC and what are your ratings?

Yes. Chamomile Care Ltd is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is registered under CQC ID 1-9444024707. Our most recent comprehensive inspection was carried out on 18 January 2022, with the full report published on 24 February 2022. The service was rated Good overall, with an Outstanding rating in Caring, recognising our compassionate, person-centred approach and dedication to dignity and respect. We continue to be monitored by the CQC, with regular reviews to ensure care remains safe, effective and responsive to the needs of those we support.

How much does home care cost, and are there hidden fees?

Home care costs vary depending on the length and frequency of visits, but we believe in being open and transparent from the start. Care is charged at £36 per hour, £29 for 45 minutes and £22 for 30 minutes, with a minimum visit of 30 minutes. Longer visits are charged proportionally (for example, 90 minutes is 1.5 × the hourly rate). Bank Holidays are charged at double the rate, as we pay our Care Workers double for their commitment on these days. Our rates include all travel to and from your home, so there are no hidden fees. Mileage (60p per mile) is only charged if a Care Worker takes you out in their car, such as for shopping or day trips, and this is always agreed in advance.

Do you support complex conditions such as dementia or post-operative recovery?

Yes. At Chamomile Care, we support people with a wide range of needs, including complex conditions such as dementia, memory loss, PEG feeding, neurological conditions and post-operative recovery. Our approach is always person-centred: we take time to understand the individual’s health, routines and preferences so we can tailor care that promotes comfort, safety and independence. For dementia support, we match Care Workers with relevant experience and training, focus on familiar routines, clear communication and reassurance, and work closely with families and other professionals to reduce distress and promote wellbeing. For post-operative recovery, we support wound care guidance (as directed by clinicians), medication prompts, mobility support, safe transfers, hydration and nutrition, and help with daily living tasks while the person regains strength. All support plans are reviewed regularly and adapted to changing needs.

How do you help with companionship, social outings, and staying active?

We understand that wellbeing is about more than practical support. Companionship is a valued part of our service, and Care Workers take time to build genuine, positive relationships. Support can include conversation, shared activities, help with hobbies, and gentle encouragement to stay mentally and physically active. We can also support with social outings, such as visiting friends and family, attending community groups, appointments, cafés, local events and church services. Where a Care Worker uses their car to take someone out, this is always agreed in advance. Our approach helps reduce loneliness, supports confidence, and enables people to remain connected to the people and activities that matter most to them.

How do you ensure continuity, reliability, and communication with families?

We place strong emphasis on continuity, reliability and clear communication. Wherever possible, we support each person with a small, consistent team of Care Workers, helping build trust and familiar routines. Visits are carefully scheduled by our in-house team, and because we directly employ our Care Workers, we can maintain oversight and consistency. Families are kept informed and involved. We provide regular updates, respond promptly to queries, and encourage open communication so concerns can be raised and addressed quickly. Care plans are reviewed regularly and updated as needs change. This approach helps ensure care is dependable, coordinated and reassuring for both individuals and their families.

Do you offer overnight or 24-hour care?

Yes. We can provide overnight care and extended support, depending on individual needs and availability. We offer waking night care (where a Care Worker remains awake and available throughout the night) for reassurance and assistance as needed. Longer packages of care can also be arranged to provide consistent support across the day and night. All overnight and extended care is carefully planned around the individual, with clear expectations agreed in advance. Please contact us to discuss your needs and we can advise on suitable options and availability.

What makes Chamomile Care different?

Chamomile Care is known for a calm, compassionate and highly personal approach to home care. Support is tailored around each individual, with a strong focus on dignity, independence and meaningful relationships. We aim to provide continuity through small, consistent care teams, helping people feel comfortable and secure. Care Workers are carefully recruited, well trained and genuinely valued, which supports reliability and quality. Families are kept informed with clear, open communication, and care plans are reviewed regularly to reflect changing needs. As a local, CQC-regulated provider, we combine professional standards with a deep understanding of the community we serve.

How do I arrange home care and what are the steps?

Arranging home care is straightforward and designed to feel supportive, not overwhelming. The first step is to contact us for an initial conversation about your needs or the needs of your loved one, by calling 01235 617737 or emailing careenquiries@chamomilecare.com. We will then arrange a free care assessment to understand routines, preferences, health considerations and what matters most. From this, we create a personalised care plan and provide a clear outline of visits and costs. Once agreed, we carefully match suitable Care Workers, confirm start dates and begin support. Care is reviewed regularly and can be adjusted at any time as needs change. Our team remains available throughout to answer questions and provide reassurance.

Does Chamomile Care offer domiciliary care?

Yes. Chamomile Care offers domiciliary care, which is personalised support delivered in your own home. Our aim is to help you remain comfortable, safe and as independent as possible while continuing to live in familiar surroundings. We tailor care around your routines, preferences and goals, providing support with personal care, daily tasks, medication prompts, mobility assistance, companionship and more. Every plan is individually designed and reviewed regularly to reflect changing needs.

Does Chamomile Care offer dementia care?

Yes. Chamomile Care offers specialist dementia care tailored to each person’s unique needs. Our Care Workers receive focused training and ongoing support to help people living with dementia feel safe, understood and respected. We prioritise familiar routines, clear communication, reassurance and person-centred approaches that support wellbeing and confidence. Care plans are reviewed and adapted regularly, and we work closely with families and other professionals to help maintain independence and quality of life at home.