Help Center
You Asked, I Answered
It’s important to me that my customers feel fully informed and confident when working with me. That’s why I’ve made an extensive list of past customers’ questions along with answers from my experiences. Browse through the information below, and if you have a question that isn’t included here, feel free to reach out to me today.
Who or what are micro-providers?
Micro-providers are providers of very small, community based care and support services.
A micro-provider has eight or fewer paid or unpaid workers and must be totally independent of any larger organisation. Examples of micro-services could include:
Support to keep well, socialise and remain independent
Support to people living in their own homes
Short breaks and holidays
Support to access employment, education and leisure
Day support and help around the home
What are micro-services for?
Micro-services offered by micro-providers are not for everyone but they are a good option for people who:
Can’t get the services or support they want and would like flexible local options
Have a clear idea about the support they need
Are able and happy to take responsibility for organising and managing their own care
Are all micro-providers unregulated?
Most Micro-providers in Somerset do not offer personal care as part of their service.
However if a micro-provider provides personal care (such as help with bathing, dressing, using the toilet, taking medication) in a person’s home, this is classed as regulated activity. They may need to be registered with the social care regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
There is however an exemption from registration if the provider is an individual and is contracted directly by the person (or related third party), working under their control and direction. [1] This means that a majority of Somerset’s micro-providers are not able to register with the CQC.
If a person or their representative want to use a micro-provider who is exempt from care regulation they will need to answer yes to the questions below.
The person knows what support or care they want
The person is willing and able to engage directly with a provider and tell them what is needed
The person understands how to check the suitability of a provider and make good decisions about engaging their services
The person is willing and able to check the suitability of a provider and decide whether to engage their services
The person has the capacity to control, direct and co-ordinate their care and is willing and able to do so
How do we know a micro-provider is safe?
o be registered as a ‘trusted provider’ on the Somerset Community Connect Directory each provider has provided evidence that they meet the ‘doing it right’ quality standards of the Somerset Micro-enterprise Programme.
This includes:
DBS Checks
Public Liability Insurance
Terms of Service
Support Plan
Complaints and Safeguarding Policy
The programme also offers a quality feedback loop which means that any providers or who do not share a commitment to the ‘Doing it right’ Quality Standard will be removed from the programme