Altogether Care - Care At Home Limited Weymouth

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated Good.

This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 85 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider was exceptional at treating people with kindness, empathy and compassion and in how they respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff always treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

People were consistently supported by staff who demonstrated exceptional kindness, compassion and respect. Feedback from people and their relatives was overwhelmingly positive and evidenced a strong, embedded culture where people were placed at the heart of care. Comments included, “Staff are always very friendly and chatty, they are lovely” and “Yes, they provide the care in the way I like it. If they are with you, they do the job respectfully and properly”

People described developing highly trusting and meaningful relationships with staff, supported by continuity of care and a consistent staff team. Staff were described as “attentive, responsive and genuinely caring” in their approach. One person told us, “They [staff] make me feel very safe, they always show concern for me and make sure I am heard and respected for example if I am close to going to bed, they always protect my dignity. I am very comfortable with them.” This demonstrated how staff actively promoted people’s dignity, privacy and emotional wellbeing in all interactions. Another person told us, “Friendly, cheerful, well trained. I get the same nurse every time which is nice, but they are all very good.”

Relatives consistently shared positive feedback about the caring approach of staff and told us this gave them confidence and reassurance that people were receiving high-quality care. Their feedback reflected a service which not only met people’s needs but consistently exceeded expectations through a compassionate and respectful approach. A relative told us, “They are all very kind and respectful” and another said, “Staff are very considerate, they think of us both when supporting my loved one.”
 

Staff spoke about people with warmth and professionalism and demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of delivering person-centred care. They were knowledgeable about people’s individual preferences, values and lifestyles and ensured care was tailored accordingly. Staff promoted independence, choice and control in a way that protected and enhanced people’s dignity. One staff member told us, “This is a core value of the service. We promote independence through person-centred care. For example, we encourage clients to make their own breakfast or choose their clothes with support rather than doing everything for them. For someone with mobility issues, we might use prompts and adaptive equipment so they can transfer with minimal assistance. We celebrate small achievements and adjust care plans to gradually reduce support where possible, helping people feel in control and dignified.” Another staff member said, “We support them with dignity, independence, choices, and social activities to improve their wellbeing.”

Health and social care professionals spoke positively about the service and described a collaborative, responsive and person-centred approach. They told us staff maintained effective communication, were open to feedback and worked proactively to respond to people’s changing needs. Professionals reported that staff worked in partnership to achieve positive outcomes for people.

The provider demonstrated a commitment to promoting kindness and inclusion beyond the delivery of regulated activity. They told us, “We also run a weekly ‘Warm Space’ every Wednesday, providing a welcoming environment for anyone experiencing homelessness or facing challenging circumstances. Visitors are offered a hot drink and soup, creating a safe and supportive space within the community.” This showed the provider’s wider commitment to supporting people with dignity and compassion within the local community.

The provider treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

Staff treated people as individuals and ensured care and support was tailored to meet their needs and preferences. Care plans included detailed information about people’s histories, interests, routines and what was important to them, which supported staff to deliver personalised care.

The provider considered people’s abilities, aspirations, cultural backgrounds and protected characteristics when planning and delivering care. Staff demonstrated an understanding of people’s usual routines and respected their choices. Care was regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in people’s needs, helping to ensure support remained appropriate.

People using the service and their relatives told us staff listened to them, responded to their views and provided consistent care. They described positive relationships with staff, which helped ensure care was delivered in a way that met individual needs, including for those with more complex care requirements.

The provider’s approach to care planning and staffing supported the delivery of respectful, person-centred care. One person told us, “They are very friendly, welcoming, professional and do a very good job. They protect my dignity and make me comfortable; they monitor and recommend if I need any support.” This showed people experienced care that supported their dignity, comfort and wellbeing.

The provider promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

Staff supported people to have choice and control over their care and support as far as they were able. People’s needs, preferences and aspirations were clearly recorded in their care plans, and staff had access to this information to guide their practice. Care plans were detailed and accessible, enabling staff to understand and respond to people’s individual requirements.

People were supported by staff to maintain their independence wherever possible. Staff encouraged people to make decisions about their daily lives and provided support in a way that respected their choices and promoted their autonomy.

People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them. The provider encouraged and enabled people to stay connected with family, friends and others, recognising the importance of these relationships to people’s wellbeing.

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.

Staff were responsive to people and consistently engaged with them. A staff member said, “Before starting with any new client, I receive a detailed care plan that includes comprehensive risk assessments, personalised strategies for behaviours, swallowing guidelines (e.g., IDDSI levels and thickened fluids), diabetes management (blood sugar monitoring, hypo/hyperglycaemia protocols), and any other specific needs. Care plans are regularly reviewed, and updates are communicated promptly via the office or digital systems. This thorough information allows me to provide safe, tailored care.”

Staff were aware of people’s needs and took time to observe, communicate and engage people in discussions about their immediate needs. Staff knew how to access people’s risk assessments and how to contact the management team if they were concerned about a person.

The provider always cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and was exceptional at supporting and enabling staff to always deliver person-centred care.

At Altogether Care – Care at Home (Weymouth), workforce wellbeing and enablement were central to delivering safe, compassionate, and person-centred care. Staff feedback highlighted a strong sense of pride in working for an organisation that was caring, supportive, and committed to quality. One staff shared, “I feel proud to work here because the team is caring, supportive, and focused on providing good quality care.”

The service promoted a positive and inclusive culture. Staff described a “family-like” environment supported by approachable management, strong communication, and a shared commitment to high standards. This supportive ethos enabled staff to feel valued, confident, and motivated in their roles, whilst supporting professional development and career growth.

A proactive approach to wellbeing was evident through access to Mental Health First Aiders, wellbeing workshops, and initiatives such as yoga and breathing sessions designed to build resilience and reduce stress. Inclusivity was a key strength, with flexible working arrangements and cultural celebrations ensuring staff from diverse backgrounds felt respected and supported.

Recognition was embedded through initiatives such as the Care Friends points system, celebrating staff contributions and reinforcing a culture of appreciation. An open-door approach further ensured that staff felt listened to and always supported.

Team cohesion and community engagement were strengthened through social events, cultural celebrations, and charitable initiatives, all of which promoted a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Overall, staff described Altogether Care as being “A positive place to work with supportive management and a strong focus on person-centred care,” reflecting a workforce that feels empowered, valued, and committed to delivering high-quality care.