A CARE company, which has offices in Stroud, is celebrating after being awarded a rare outstanding rating for the standard of service it provides.

Flexicare Home Services was given the top stamp of approval by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after an inspection - one of only two per cent in the country to be awarded outstanding.

Founded in 1997 by Jeanette Phillips and run by her and her two daughters, Anna Macey-Michaels and Jenna Macey-Brown, the company has offices in Gloucester and Stroud, with 120 staff delivering a variety of care, including palliative and end of life, live-in and specialist.

Working alongside them for 18 years is manager Sarah Zielinski, whose role includes being accountable to the CQC, providing documents and answering questions for the inspectors.

The family was delighted to receive the outstanding rating.

“It’s the first time we’ve been given this in 20 years,” said Anna.

“The inspector told us what a massive achievement this is.”

“We’ve always had outstanding qualities but to get an overall outstanding rating you have to match in two areas and we did that this year in caring and responsive.

“There is so much bad press about home care so it’s nice to hear something positive and we are so happy with this achievement.”

The report highlights comments from clients, who praised the company for providing “brilliant” care from “kind and caring” staff.

It also states that members of staff are pleased with the way they are treated.

Anna joined the business after her 17-year-old brother, Christopher, died following a motorbike accident.

“It was the catalyst that brought me here and made a difference in the type of care we offered because he was so young,” said Anna.

Flexicare is now helping as many younger clients as older ones, with conditions such as spinal and brain injuries.

“We look after adults over the age of 18, and that includes people who have been involved in accidents,” explained Anna.

“When people can bring their loved ones home they are so happy and to be able to get good care at home makes everything so much easier.”

“We have such a wonderful team from everyone in head office to all our outstanding carers. They are the reason we have been named outstanding,” added Jenna.

Flexicare is based in The Steadings Business Centre, Maisemore Court, Maisemore. To find out more, visit www.flexicareuk.co.uk or ring 01452 306296.