Altogether Care – Care at Home in Christchurch rated good by Care Quality Commission

A CARE service in Christchurch was praised by watchdog the Care Quality Commission for treating people with respect and making them feel safe.

Altogether Care, which provides services for over 65s and people with learning and physical disabilities in their homes, was found to provide “effective care”, with its managers said to have “clear oversight”.

An inspector found staff had the “training and support they needed”, and users of the company said they were “happy” with it and “felt secure”.

One said: “I feel that I am being treated as an individual, not as one of many. My care is for me, not anyone else, and that’s what I like.”

They felt the company enabled them to live “safely, comfortably, and as independently as possible” while remaining in their own homes.

They reported that they “generally” had good communication with the office team, and that their visits were “usually when expected”, although a few said that they did not receive a rota.

Some had a regular team of staff whereas others reported frequent changes in those looking after them – the management team said it was working to address this.

The service operated in a way that promoted people’s human rights, CQC noted. It also collected thorough information during assessments, including people’s equality characteristics and what was important to them. People’s preferences for gender-specific care workers were respected.

Staff were committed to providing care that was centred on people’s individual needs and met their preferences, inspectors said. They knew how to raise concerns and were confident the management team would take appropriate action if necessary.