Micro-providers

Porlock Vale
CIC

Micro-providers

Micro-providers are self-employed care and support professionals who can help you remain independent at home, whether you need a little extra support or assistance with more complex care needs.

Porlock Vale CIC is recognised as a trusted network by Somerset Council. We maintain a directory of self-employed Micro-providers who meet Somerset Council's quality standards and work within clearly defined professional boundaries.

What Do Micro-providers do?

Conversation and companionship
Help around the home
Meal preparation
Support to continue your hobbies and interests
Shopping or assistance with shopping
Befriending
Home administration
Dog walking
Short breaks, respite and holidays
Personal care
Access to the community
Rehabilitation support

How does it work?

Everyone's circumstances are different, so we will meet with you to discuss the support that best suits your needs. This could be assistance with weekly shopping, help around the home, meal preparation, personal care, or support for more complex care needs.

Once we understand the support you are looking for, we will provide details and profiles of registered Micro-providers who can meet your requirements. You, your family, or a person acting under a Lasting Power of Attorney can then arrange to meet with your preferred provider/providers and agree the terms of your support directly with them

Porlock Vale CIC, which delivers Community Services in West Somerset , provides an introductory connection service between clients and registered self-employed Micro-providers. We carry out the necessary checks to ensure providers meet Somerset Council's quality standards and hold the appropriate documentation.

Full details of the service and what you can expect will be included in your Porlock Vale CIC client pack.

Supporting You to Live Well

Our subscription service gives you access to a range of community services designed to help you remain independent, connected, and well supported.

Through our trusted network, we can:

Connect you with registered Micro-providers and other health and support organisations
Connection services to support Micro-Providers holiday and sickness leave
Help you remain living well at home and within your community for as long as possible
Provide connection calls to support family members who live away from their loved ones
Offer guidance to help you understand important legal requirements
Guide you to trusted local services and sources of support

Our aim is to provide reassurance, practical support, and trusted connections that help you maintain your independence and quality of life.

Get in touch and ask for help

Use the form below or call 01643 863150

Interesting in becoming a Micro-provider?

Find out more

Detailed Information

PV CIC is committed to ensuring individuals have access to a wide range of support services, information and sign-posting that empower people to live independently with greater choice and control over their lives, for as long as possible.

Through our trusted network of self-employed Micro-providers, we can connect people with flexible, personalised support at home and within the community. Micro-providers offer a range of paid services tailored to individual needs, helping people maintain their independence, wellbeing, and quality of life.

PVCIC directory of registered self employed Micro-Providers are ideally suited to people who

Are unable to access the services or support they need and would benefit from flexible, local alternatives.
Have a clear understanding of the support they require, including preferences for how, when, and where it is delivered.
The individual or family wish to have control and choice over their care
Prefer support from local people and value community based solutions.
Value flexibility, continuity, and the opportunity build trusted relationships with those supporting them

The Micro-provider network operates with robust governance and accountability, providing a trusted route to accessing help at home within the community.

Porlock Vale CIC has been supporting local people for nearly 30 years. As a trusted community organisation, we are well placed to provide guidance, information, and signposting to relevant services and organisations that may be able to help.

Clients and their families can be assured of a personal service from our experienced Community Support Lead, who will take the time to understand your circumstances and provide guidance on the support available to you, so that you can make informed choices about your care and wellbeing every step of the way.

Porlock Vale has the oldest population in the UK and as we all age, we might need some help at home. In today’s world, our families, friends and neighbours are not always on hand to help when needed.

Self-employed Micro-providers have undertaken and met quality standards and offer a perfect solution to enable people to continue to live well, in their home and within their community with a little support.

Micro-providers are self-employed people who can help with the following:

Helping people to socialise and remain independent
Supporting people to live in their own homes for as long as possible
Helping carers take a break and for respite
Supporting leisure
Helping around the home or garden
Dog Walking
Encouraging and enabling people with their hobbies or interests
Personal Care
Access to the community
Help with rehabilitation

Their services provide community-based care and support services that:

Provide personal, flexible and responsive support and care
Give local people more choice and control over the support they get
Offer a different option to more traditional services

Micro-providers deliver community-based care and support that:

Is personal, flexible, and responsive to individual needs
Gives people greater choice and control over the support they receive
Helps people remain connected to their local community
Provides an alternative to more traditional care and support services
Supports people to live well, safely, and independently at home

For greater detail have a look at this information sheet on the benefits of using a micro-provider.

Micro-providers are often a good option for people who want greater choice and control over the support they receive. As Micro-providers operate outside of regulated care services, they should only be used by individuals who are able to direct and manage their own support arrangements.

A Micro-provider may be suitable if:

You know what support or care you need, how you would like it delivered, and when you would like to receive it.
You are willing and able to communicate directly with a provider about your requirements and expectations.
You are comfortable assessing whether a provider is suitable for your needs and making informed decisions about engaging their services.
You have the capacity to direct, coordinate, and manage your own care and support arrangements on an ongoing basis.

If you are unsure whether a Micro-provider is the right option for you, Porlock Vale CIC can provide information, guidance, and signposting to help you explore the support available and make an informed choice.

Before introducing a Micro-provider to a client, our team will have verified that they hold:

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (within 3 years of date)
Public Liability Insurance

To further support the quality and professionalism of our Micro-provider network, Porlock Vale CIC also provides access to:

Template Terms of Service agreement for use between client and Micro-Provider
Templates for all other documents required to meet our quality professional standards
Support assessing and meeting clients’ needs
Access to Training in Safeguarding, GDPR, professional boundaries, First Aid and Safe handling of medication
Information and signposting to additional training and development opportunities
Ongoing guidance and support, regular meetings, wellbeing
Professional boundaries guidance
Their legal responsibilities of service or their legal limitations of service? (by this we mean the boundaries of what they can and cant do as an unregulated service)

While Micro-providers are self-employed and work independently, our quality standards and verification process help ensure that they hold the required documentation.

The benefits of using our scheme include:

Personalised and Flexible Support at Home: Our registered Micro-providers offer tailored support that is personalised to everyone
Continuity and Trust: Porlock Vale CIC has been embedded in the local community for almost 30 years with an experienced and compassionate team. All of our Micro -Providers have completed a sign up process that is endorsed by SC and have had a face-to-face interview with our community support lead. PVCIC are passionate about the wellbeing of our community and our Mirco-Providers.
Community Connection: Local providers understand their neighbourhoods, helping clients stay engaged with social groups and activities.
Choice and Control: Users and families have complete control over how support is arranged, as needs may change.
Cost-Effectiveness: Community-based care offers flexible, personalised and cost-effective alternative to more costly traditional services, creating value for individuals, families and local authorities alike.
Local Economy Boost:

Our network is built around local connections. As part of our onboarding process, all Micro-providers are required to live within a 15 miles radius of West Somerset. This helps ensure that money spent on care and support services remains in the local economy, supporting residents and small businesses. Micro-Providers also play a vital role in helping people access the community contributing to thriving, connected local communities.

Important information about how this service works

Porlock Vale CIC provides information and connections to local support options, including self-employed Micro-providers.

Our role is to:

Share information about local services and what may be available locally
Provide access to a range of local Micro-providers
Support you to make informed choices about your care and support

Our role is not to:

Select, match or recommend providers
Assess suitability for your individual needs
Manage, coordinate or supervise care
Guarantee the quality or safety of any provider

Any agreement is made directly between you and the provider. You are responsible for deciding whether to proceed, making any checks you feel are necessary, and agreeing to the terms of your support.

If a regulated care service would be more appropriate, we can help you explore those options.