






Rated CQC 'Oustanding' in Caring (October 2025). Unlike large corporate facilities, St Cecilia is a warm, family-run home where residents are treated like family, not numbers. Specialising in dementia care for over 30 years, the home prides itself on a true 'home-from-home' atmosphere filled with laughter, home-cooked meals, and genuine affection. Situated in a peaceful Edwardian house near Westbourne, St Cecilia offers a cosy, personalised alternative for those seeking the very best care.
Care Provided by St Cecilia
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 15 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Stairlift
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact St Cecilia for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact St Cecilia to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Owner
- St Cecilia Care Dorset Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Robin Hiney(Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2007
Room Information
- Single Rooms (13)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
St Cecilia Reviews (44)
St Cecilia has a Review Score of 8.8 (8.792) out of 10, based on 2 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time St Cecilia has 44 reviews.
Everyone working at the home was wonderful. My husband received exceptional palliative care. After a bad experience at the previous care home, I was relieved that my husband died with dignity surrounded by an amazing team. A special thank you to the manager. He runs the home brilliantly and everyone seems very happy. No agency staff, a great consistency in the care. My husband was looked after by the same compassionate people every day. I just wish we had found St.Cecilia earlier.
My lovely wife moved into the home in September 2020 when the social services decided that I needed help with her, I believe it was the perfect home for her and her somewhat complicated form of Dementia, from the moment she arrived it was amazing how she was welcomed. The staff were super and always made me feel so welcome, nothing ever seemed to be a problem with them or for them. My wife passed away in early 24, she was looked after so well and I have nothing but gratitude and respect for all staff at St Cecilia.
St Cecilia is an excellent care home. The staff and manager deal with very difficult circumstances with patience, kindness and compassion. My husband has been a resident for two years and is bedbound and needs a great deal of attention. I am very happy with all his loving care. They always welcome me at any time with coffee and biscuits or lunch. I am so grateful to them all.
My father has dementia and has been a resident of St.Ceilia for nearly two years. In that time he has been cared for by highly trained, kind, compassionate staff who totally understand the needs of dementia patients. The care home has a family atmosphere and visitors are always welcomed by the regular staff who create a calm, happy environment for residents and their families. I feel secure in the knowledge that my father is being cared for by such an incredible team.
I cannot fault St Cecilia care in any way, they have been so caring and kind to my lovely mum and very supportive to me as it was a difficult decision for my mum to move into St Cecilia permanently but I know it was the right one! All the staff and manager are very caring and professional and I am very happy how they have made my mum so welcome into their care.
My dad was a resident at St Cecilia from Feb 2023 to January 2024. He had advanced dementia and at times could be very difficult to deal with as a previous home couldn't cope with his behaviour, but all of the staff at the home were very supportive and looked after Dad during his time there. I have nothing but praise for the manager and his team, as the job they do is certainly not an easy one and they show care and respect to the residents and their relatives too. They always tried to engage Dad with activities and encourage him to speak about his interests/ life history. Although Dad wasn't at home during his last year, I felt this was his home and he received the best care available for his needs. For anybody considering St Cecilia, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their care.
We were so pleased with the care our father received at St Cecilia's. It is easy to see that the owners, manager and staff are fully committed to providing top-notch care. Our dad was considered difficult at another care home but fit right into the smaller environment at St Cecilia's. The manager is absolutely first-rate, and that is reflected in the staff, who are all very kind and seem to delight in what they do. From the first moment we walked in, we could see that residents were not just sitting around; they were engaged with staff, and music and dancing were being enjoyed. We found the staff to be very attentive to our dad, and very focused on making sure medications were correct and both medical and psychological needs were met. We are pleased to recommend St Cecilias without hesitation.
straight away that she was being well cared for. A lot of thought was put into her well being from day one.
Mum was a resident for just over a year before she passed away - and her passing was so well managed. I feel very lucky that Mum spent her final year or so at St Cecilia's.
Thank you for your review, kind, support and appreciation of our hard-working carers.
They have dancing and singing with the staff, which is wonderful for them.
When she was living at home with carers she was frightened and lonely, my sister and I had many aggressive phone calls. She seems really happy now. My sister and I cannot believe the change. We are so pleased we found this home, it has made such a difference to all our lives. What a relief.
Thank you. You have summed up exactly what St Cecilia hopes to achieve.
My sister and I were looking for a care home for my mum. I was recommended St Cecilia’s, it was the best decision my sister and I made, placing mum there. Every member of staff gives a hundred per cent caring for the residents, and mum who was most reluctant to even speak of a care home is so happy there. St Cecilia's has the very best staff and the biggest heart. If ever I was unfortunate to get dementia, this is the place I would want to spend my last years. Well done all of you.
Thank you, for your lovely review. We are very pleased that St Cecilia is providing the care and love our residents need.
This is the only home my husband has settled in after trying 3 others. It feels homely and friendly. Nobody has ever been rude or short of patience. It really is a great place.
How can one care home have all the best carers? Well, St Cecilia has them all. Never met so many caring and loving people.
All the staff are friendly, there is always a welcome and offer of a drink however short the visit. My friend has dementia and was so distressed in the previous home she was in but the patience and empathy from the staff has made such a difference to her. The staff are always with the residents and I have never seen any of them appear stressed or look as if they would rather be somewhere else. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I do not know what their fees are and have not eaten there and have only witnessed a few activities as I usually visit in the evening so that is the reason I have only put good for some of the options as they have to be completed with no option for not knowing.
My father has been at the home for over 3 years now and in that time the manager, senior staff and the team have always shown him great understanding and care to what can be a very challenging illness. Whenever we visit, they are always extremely welcoming and friendly and the overall atmosphere of the home gives us great comfort that he is in the right place. I would have no hesitation in recommending St Cecilia.
The patients always look clean and cared for.
I am also impressed to see how the staff handles each person individually.
I would not hesitate to recommend St Cecilia.
As I became a State Registered Nurse in my early 20's I was very interested to visit my relative in St Cecilia. This I do every Sunday and I have always been very impressed with the kind atmosphere and the care all the residents receive. The residents are always looking very clean and tidy and I know that they enjoy their lovely meals. They are always given immediate attention when needed and when I leave I always feel that all the residents are in good, safe hands. I recommend this home.
From the very first time that we went to St Cecilia, we were very impressed. The welcome by the staff was warm and friendly even though they didn't know us. The whole atmosphere of the place was homely and inviting. All the residents looked content and were clean and tidy and cared for. If we were ever in a position where we need care for a family member, we would be very happy for them to be looked after there. Well done to all the staff.
I would have no hesitation in recommending St Cecilia to anyone requiring dementia care.
I would highly recommend placing a family member or friend that needed this level of care.
This is definitely a home and one where we as the siblings should never have any worries or regrets for loved ones being there - well done the manager and the gang, you've set the bar for others to follow!!! :)
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 29 September 2025Good
- CaringOutstanding
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for St Cecilia.
There are no upcoming events for St Cecilia.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for St Cecilia.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for St Cecilia.
Meet the Team (0)
There are no Team Members posted yet.
Frequently Asked Questions about St Cecilia
What types of Care is St Cecilia registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Mental Health Condition are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does St Cecilia have?
There are 13 Single Rooms and 1 Couples/Companion Room.
What are the Facilities & Services at St Cecilia?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Stairlift, Gardens, Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is St Cecilia to the centre of Poole?
4.0 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact St Cecilia to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. St Cecilia has an Enhanced Service -more info.