Christies Care Ltd

Rose House, Street Farm Road, Saxmundham IP17 1AL
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9.8 202 Reviews
  • Christies Care Ltd, Saxmundham
Christies Care has over 30 years of experience providing high quality domiciliary care services to help people live well in their own homes.

Twice rated 'Outstanding' by CQC (July 2019, December 2016), they give you the carers you need to help you be as independent as possible, for as long as possible.

Christies Care is a family run local organisation, who provide outstanding, personalised visiting homecare throughout Suffolk and North Essex, 24 hour live-in care across England and Jersey.

Every one of Christies Care's carers undertake a Princess Royal award-winning training programme, so they can provide the best person-centred care possible.
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Care Provided by Christies Care Ltd

Types of Home Care

  • Visiting Care
  • Live-in Care
  • 24 Hour Care
  • Overnight Care (Waking)
  • Overnight Care (Sleeping)

Minimum Visit Duration (Visiting Care)

  • 30 minutes

Contract Durations

  • Ongoing / Long Term
  • Respite / Short Term

Age Ranges

  • Older Person Care (65+)
  • Younger Adult Care (18-65)

Personal Care Services

  • Washing & Dressing
  • Toileting Assistance
  • Medication Assistance (Oral)
  • Companionship
  • Continence Care
  • Feeding & Drinking Assistance

Household Services

  • Cleaning Service
  • Food Preparation & Serving
  • Laundry Service
  • Shopping Service / Errands
  • Transportation Service

Other Care Provided

  • Dementia
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Cancer Care
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Learning Disability / Autism
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment
  • Alcohol / Drug Misuse
  • Hospital Discharge

Funding & Fees

  • Hourly Visiting Care Fees: from £35
  • Weekly Live-in Care Fees: £1600 – £2000

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Christies Care Ltd to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Private Funding (Self-funded)
  • Direct Payments (from Local Authority/NHS)
  • Local Authority (Contracted Provider)
  • NHS (Contracted Provider)
Explain these funding types

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Charlotte Driver-Young (Operations Director)

Christies Care Ltd Reviews (202)

9.8

Christies Care Ltd has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.758) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Christies Care Ltd has 202 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 202
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Reviewer Connection to Christies Care Ltd
  • 93
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Total of 202, showing 161-180
Review from Anne (Daughter of Client) published on 29 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Carers are extremely well trained and very caring and competent. They have tried to stimulate Dad and are very patient. They treat Dad and the family with respect and are very pro-active in trying to improve his life. We have only had three so far - two, we would be happy to return, one, we have requested
does not, because Dad did not get on with her. It is still early days, but one problem seems to be a lack of drivers, which is important to us. We have also found that though our care team at Head Office is very helpful, we have not always had all the information we need. For example, we missed out on an important mailing, for some reason, which caused problems with cover.
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Review from T D (Son of Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Carers are well trained, have support during their assignments and the agency tries to ensure that they are compatible not only with care needs but also personally. Where problems have arisen, the agency has worked hard to resolve them.
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Review from Patricia S (Daughter-in-law of Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We have been using Christies Care Ltd full time since May 2018 and are now settled into a routine of returning carers, which is more settling for the client, although changing carers sometimes after just two weeks can still be unsettling. Christies Care Ltd listened to our concerns when we had a couple
of carers that were not what we expected and they have not returned. The team we have now have got to know my relative and her needs. She is well fed and the help with personal care is good. Obviously, some personalities gel better with her than others in terms of keeping her company and her spirits up. She is also of an older generation who are unused to the multicultural modern world and she finds this difficult from time to time. She is also very deaf and carers have to make a good effort to make themselves understood. Some of the problems we have had are due to my relative's feelings about her loss of independence and mobility, rather than any fault of the carers. Support from Christies Care Ltd office seems good as is the overlap of carers.
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Review from Karen C (Sister of Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The carers for my sister have been exemplary, professional, caring and go out of their way to make sure her multiple needs are paramount. One new, recent carer did prove to be an unsuitable match but Christies Care Ltd handled the situation with tact and sensitivity. In discussion with the other carers
who visit every day, a robust safeguarding procedure is in place which is very reassuring to her family who all live at a far distance away. Christies Care Ltd bookings coordinator is approachable, friendly and responds very promptly.
A very satisfied client and family.
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Review from Becky P (Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
I have been a client of Christies Care Ltd for nearly four years. In that time I've met some lovely carers and the management have always remained friendly and supportive. On the rare occasions that I have not 'clicked' with a carer, the issues raised have been dealt with quickly. I have regular carers
who I look forward to spending more time with.
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Review from Nigel B (Son of Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Christies Carers have provided excellent care for my Mother over the last 3 years.
They have managed the changes in my mother's condition over time and have adapted to her needs and mental health and will work well with another external care team.
In addition, they cope with occasional disturbed
nights and other difficult times when she has not been well.


Christies Head office has been quick to respond and will support when issues arise.

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Review from Fiona C (Daughter of Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
After some teething problems, Christies Care Ltd now understands the needs and character type of carer that our mother requires.
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Review from Alison B (Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our carer was a lovely person and very kind and attentive. She is coming back on a regular basis. She provided excellent companionship as well as looking after my needs. She also loved my little dog!
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Review from Caroline B (Daughter of Client) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Christies carers supported my father during the last year of his life and their skill and compassion enabled him to enjoy life again after a hospital stay left him in need of live-in care. The carers were, for the most part, exceptional people with great patience and a good understanding of his needs;
they encouraged independence where possible but were always there to support as needed. The admin team were also very polite and helpful; the carers always appeared to receive high-quality training and excellent support from the company. Many of them said they had worked for other companies but felt that Christies was the best. I wish we had discovered Christies sooner and have no hesitation in recommending them to other families. Thank you, Christies for all you did for my dad and our family.
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Review from Jane O (Daughter of Client) published on 26 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
The Carers have been kind and caring, but their level of competency has varied. I would not recommend Christies because of the level of communication. Also, the care plan was not updated to reflect my Father’s changing needs. I would like to say that I have recently been given a new booking coordinator,
who has gone out of her way to be helpful and communication has improved significantly.
Reply from Christies Care at Christies Care Ltd

I am sorry you have felt that you have not received the high standard that we endeavour to provide for our clients. I'm glad that all is going well with your new Booking Coordinator, but please do contact me and I will be happy to help should you have any current issues.

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Review from Karen E (Daughter of Client) published on 26 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All carers supplied by Christies are very caring and Mother has made good friends with them. They are efficient and considerate.
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Review from Andrew (Son of Client) published on 26 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Helpful and quick to find a suitable replacement when there's an unexpected loss of a carer. It took a few goes to find a couple of carers that worked really well, but that's to be expected. Very pleased with how things are now and our regular carers are fantastic.
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Review from Sue (Daughter of Client) published on 23 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very professional and quick response to our dealings with the company. The carers have all been kind, helpful and understanding towards us and our 90-year-old mum. She feels more secure, is happier and eating well again with a live-in carer. We feel greatly comforted knowing mum is cared for and has
a constant companion.
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Review from Rebecca (Daughter of Client) published on 23 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have found Christies staff to be professional, understanding and accommodating. My father has been well cared for and is happy with his carers. Information is clear and timely and there is always someone available to talk on the phone if I need them.
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Review from Catherine S (Daughter of Client) published on 22 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Your form insists on naming one month. This is difficult. My mother has used Christies Care since March 2016. My comments are relevant for longer than October 2018 which is what I had to click on. Overall, I have been very happy with Christies. They have an excellent training school, a local rep to
oversee standards, and the carers are not only well trained but have to keep to strict standards and attend annual refresher courses. Christies go to a lot of trouble to match the right carers for my mother and to keep her favourites coming back on a rotational basis, and some of them are exceptionally good and conscientious. The only adverse comment I would make is that some of the carers have left Christies after only a short time and I understand this might be because they can work for other Agencies at a higher rate of pay. It's a shame to lose them in this way. I think this problem has been addressed (we have chosen to increase our rate) so, hopefully, staff retention is now better.
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Review from James C (Son of Client) published on 22 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Christies generally provide a satisfactory service in all respects.
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Review from P T (Son of Client) published on 21 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We have been using Christies carers for 18 months. Overall they have been very good, a few of the carers have been simply outstanding and my father was very sorry to see them leave. Most were caring, thoughtful, friendly, a real help to my father. One or two carers did fall short of expectations and
this was duly noted by Christies who were quite thorough in follow-ups. My only criticism would be that handovers were sometimes far too brief, with the departing carer eager to leave before having fully explained the daily routine to the incoming carer. But generally, it has been good, and I feel my father is being well looked after.
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Review from I B (Friend of Client) published on 21 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Christies Care provided an exceptional service for our friend. This is the second time we had used the agency (an earlier occasion over three years for a relative). Both occasions, each over a long period, were brilliantly managed. The regular checking by the area supervisor was an excellent backstop.
There were no occasions when the care provision faltered; carers changed seamlessly with a very good handover. The agency ensured that carers who were trusted by the elderly client were on a rota. At the end of the most recent period, they provided an additional carer so that the client could remain in her own home. Communications with the organisation team were always reassuring, totally helpful and with a positive outcome.
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Review from Jeremy F (Husband of Client) published on 21 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife has used Christies Care for the past nearly 8 years. We were recommended initially by the Local Authority.


We have found every aspect of the service extremely helpful and would have no difficulty in recommending it to others.


In particular, we have found the carers helpful and caring at

all times.
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Review from Alec (Power of Attorney of Client) published on 21 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My client would (if a little more receptive) benefit from the personalised approach which Christies apply in selecting carers for their bookings by trying to get the 'chemistry' right and we have found Christies approach to be pro-active, which compares favourably with that of other similar providers.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.758)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.758) out of 10 for Christies Care Ltd is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 32 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 31 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.758 for Christies Care Ltd is calculated as follows: ( (161 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) + (6 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 186 Ratings = 4.758
  2. 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 Christies Care Ltd is based on 31 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
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Home Care Provider does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 28 Dec 2019

Overall Outstanding

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Outstanding
  • 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

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Awards / Recognitions (14)

Meet the Team (2)

Charlotte

Charlotte Driver-Young

Job Title: Operations Director Joined: 2020

Charlotte’s background working within Operational Policing for Suffolk Constabulary and HR provides an invaluable foundation for her dual role as Operations Director and Registered Manager for Christies Care Ltd.


“I had heard so many good things about Christies and their reputation in the live-in care sector and I feel very privileged to be a part of this. Christies is a real family-run business, we have strong values which resonates throughout the company. Christies Care really does have that family feel which sets this company apart from so many others.


“We have just launched our Christies Care Commitment which I am so passionate about; it encapsulates who we are and what will do for our clients, carers and staff.


“My key focus for Christies is continual service improvement and change management. My passion is people: I love working with our staff to influence and lead them to ensure that we give the best service possible to our clients and carers. As Registered Manager, my mission is to ensure Christies Care provides the highest quality of care possible and to ensure we are outstanding at everything we do.”

Freddy

Freddy Gathorne-Hardy

Job Title: Managing Director Joined: 2009

Freddy joined Christies Care in 2009, with a career history that included exploring the jungles of the world, studying for a PHD at the Natural History Museum and working as a management consultant in London, specialising in improving the performance of companies.


“I joined because I wanted to do something more fulfilling than management consultancy. I wanted to really help build something and see it grow. Our main value is: Do as you would be done by and is embedded throughout the company. If everyone behaves like this, and follows this value to make decisions, we will achieve our company Purpose: To make life better – for both our clients and carers.”

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