A mum-of-two who founded a care company in memory of her late parents has become the first London home care provider to receive a double Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Clare Jefferies, 50, has devoted the last seven years to providing home care and companionship for older people in Wimbledon and Kingston.

Home Instead Senior Care was established by Clare after experiencing poor care when her own parents were terminally ill at the same time and passed away within seven months of each other.

She lost her father Mike to Motor Neurone Disease and her mother Anna to breast cancer.

Clare said: “The carers that came in to my father didn’t know anything about Motor Neurone Disease. I watched as my proud dad, a former aviation insurance underwriter with Lloyds of London was treated like a stupid old man. I knew then that there had to be a better way.

“Now with a double outstanding rating and the commitment of a team as driven as I am to change the face of ageing and to see dignity in care, we’re proof positive of that better way.”

Nicknamed ‘calendar girl’ she has set up events and clubs in her community each week to give older people diary dates to look forward to such as a Dementia-friendly supper club, Old boys pub lunch club and tennis talking at Wimbledon.

Clare has employed 135 caregivers and a 14-strong office team supporting 183 elderly clients across Wimbledon and Kingston. Caregivers are matched s to clients based on common interests.

With two Outstanding ratings in succession, the first time it’s happened in the capital, the CQC praised Clare for her person-centred approach to care and for recognising how valuable social activities are.

CQC described her impact her social clubs were having on older people’s well-being and said: “The positive feelings people get sometimes last all week until the next event.”

Two years ago, Clare was the first London home care provider to receive an outstanding, the highest rating possible.

As news of her second outstanding was confirmed this month, Clare became the first London care provider to achieve the top rating twice.

Clare said: “The double Outstanding is dedicated to my family of caregivers and my office team. They are the backbone of what we do.

“Being a caregiver takes dedication, commitment, guts and courage. To have such responsibility for an older person is huge and I respect and admire every single one of my amazing team.”

The CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe said: “The quality of care which our inspectors found here was exceptional and I am very pleased that we can celebrate the service’s achievements.

“An outstanding service is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved.”