A three-month investigation into home social care in Bath has revealed that the majority of people are happy with the service they are getting.

But watchdog councillors have come up with a list of 15 recommendations to improve the service - which helps 750 people - still further.

The review of home care was launched last November to check whether services contracted out to the private and independent sector by council chiefs were up to scratch.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's healthier communities and older people overview and scrutiny panel wanted to make sure the new operators were giving value for money.

The cross-party review focused on care provided by workers who go into people's homes to carry out tasks such as washing and housework, and spoke to clients, carers and staff.

Its recommendations to council cabinet members include carrying out another review in three years' time, organising meetings to discuss the training needs of staff and looking at ways to improve communication between the council and other agencies.

The team had particular concern about the way in which social workers and mental health specialists liaised over the delivery of care.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson, who led the review team, said: "I was very moved by the confidences shared with us, the evidence of the high degree of commitment by carers and their organisations, the courage of clients with debilitating conditions and mental illness, and the devotion of friends and relatives.

"We had the privilege of talking to a wide cross-section of people about their problems.

"We look forward to a positive response to our proposals which should be achievable through making minor adjustments within existing budgets and if adopted should make life easier and less stressful for all involved in home care."

Some of the findings from the review included:

* the service is of good quality and is meeting the objectives as set by the council, with surveys showing 94 per cent of people in the north of Bath and 86 per cent in the south thought care was good or excellent.

* some service users and family carers were concerned that the timings suggested for tasks were not flexible enough

* the council has reduced its spending on home care by 17 per cent in the last year.