- Care home
Swallowdale
Assessment report published 27 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Our view of the service
About the service
Swallowdale is a care home without nursing. There were 8 people using the service at the time of the assessment.
Who the service is for
Swallowdale is a specialist service for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
Key findingsWe carried out this assessment between 21 September and 06 October 2026. We visited Swallowdale on 21and 29 September and conducted an out of hours visit on 04 October 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remained accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. In line with changes to DoLS from June 2026, people's mental capacity to consent to restrictions was being reviewed to ensure the correct legal safeguards were in place. Where a DoLS was no longer required, records clearly reflected people's wishes and those of their representatives. Any restrictions for safety and wellbeing had been assessed as the least restrictive option and were in people's best interests.
People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff understood safeguarding responsibilities and worked closely with external professionals when concerns arose. Risks were managed in a way that promoted people's independence, including accessing employment, relationships, community activities and learning new skills. Relatives told us they were informed straight away of concerns and were involved in reviewing and managing risks. One relative told us, “[Staff] contact me often and I understand risk assessments. Staff seem to be good at it and explain risks to [my family member] and me.”
There were enough staff to meet people's needs safely and consistently. The home was clean, comfortable and adapted to meet people's needs. A relative told us, “Staff are mindful of physical aspects of safety, such as electrical testing. When going out they do risk assessments of where they are going and always have good staff to client ratio. When I’ve had health and safety issues, these are dealt with efficiently and quickly.”
Medicines were generally managed safely, with effective oversight and auditing processes, although a small number of recording issues were identified and addressed during the inspection.
People received support that reflected their individual needs and preferences. Care plans considered people's health needs, communication methods and sensory needs, enabling staff to provide personalised support. Staff worked well with healthcare professionals and received positive feedback from external agencies.
People received highly personalised support from staff who knew them well and understood what was important to them. Support was focused on helping people achieve their goals, maintain relationships and access meaningful opportunities such as employment, holidays, leisure and social activities and developing everyday living skills. People were supported by staff who were kind, respectful and genuinely committed to their wellbeing. Positive relationships had been developed and people appeared relaxed and comfortable around staff.
Communication was tailored to meet individual needs through a range of approaches including Makaton, touch-Makaton, pictorial aids and social stories. A social story is a simple, personalised story that uses words and pictures to help a person understand situations, changes or events, and what to expect. Makaton is a communication method that uses signs, symbols and speech to support understanding and expression. Staff worked creatively to overcome barriers and ensure people with sensory impairments, physical disabilities and communication needs could access the same opportunities and experiences as others.
The service was led by a registered manager who promoted a positive, inclusive and person-centred culture. A relative told us, “[Registered manager] is brilliant, we have known them for years, when they were a care staff and through to being [registered] manager. They make it tick and if there is a problem, they sort it. So does [deputy manager] they are very good and look after [my family member] very well.” Another relative told us, “If there are worries or concerns [staff] contact me straight away, communication is excellent.”
Effective governance systems provided oversight of the quality and safety of the service and supported continuous improvement. The registered manager encouraged learning and innovation, demonstrated by creative approaches to supporting people with complex communication needs and helping others understand their experiences. There was a clear focus on improving outcomes, developing people's skills and ensuring people remained at the centre of their care.
People's experience of this service
People’s experience
We used a variety of methods to communicate with people and seek their views about their experiences of care at Swallowdale. We used speech, Makaton and Talking Mats. Talking Mats helps people communicate their views and choices using pictures and symbols. We also used an observational tool known as ‘SOFI’. SOFI helps assess people's experiences through structured observation when they cannot easily express their views.
People were supported to live full and meaningful lives in a home that reflected their individual personalities, interests and needs. Bedrooms were personalised and people were involved in decisions about decoration, furniture and how their rooms looked. The atmosphere throughout the home was calm, friendly and relaxed. People moved freely around the house and community, choosing how they spent their day and who they wanted to spend time with. Relatives were very happy with care. One relative said, “Great that [my family member] has gone from not washing or doing household activities, to now encouraged to do all these things and they do.” Other relatives told us the registered manager and deputy manager were, “Excellent”, “Responsive”, And, “Really listen to people.”
Weekly house meetings gave everyone opportunities to share ideas, plan activities, choose menus and discuss holidays. People used pictures, easy read information and other communication tools to help them express their views. One person told us, "We choose our holidays and where we want to go." Another said, "I like to go out and see people and have meals and go out on day trips." A relative said, “[My family member] has autism and is an anxious person. [Staff] understand that and had training to manage worries and fears and learnt to encourage [my family member] in every way and consider activities appropriate to their needs.”
People enjoyed a wide range of activities based on their interests. People spoke positively about visits to the seaside, cinemas, pubs, swimming, shopping trips, theatre visits and day trips. During our visit people were preparing for archery, going for walks into town, shopping locally, bowling and spending time with friends. Other people had gone away to visit family. One person told us, "I like to go to the spa and go swimming and to the sauna. Staff help me to save money for a massage."
The staff demonstrated a strong culture of person-centred support. Staff adapted communication to meet people's individual needs. For example, touch-Makaton was used to support a person who was deafblind and staff had worked creatively to develop sensory equipment that safely met their desire for vibrations from sound.
People were supported to access local facilities. One person said, “I see my dentist and get my eyes checked because I wear reading glasses.” Social stories helped people understand about medical treatment and important life events and changes, including when a family member was going into hospital. Visual aids prompted people with memory difficulties to contribute to conversations and make choices.
People were supported to develop and maintain independence. We saw people preparing their own breakfasts and lunches, making drinks, helping with household tasks, washing up, doing laundry, cooking meals and cleaning communal areas. A relative told us, “[My family member] can make sandwiches and food under supervision and make drinks. I have seen a photo of them hanging washing out and putting it away.”
The home had a particularly impressive outdoor environment. People enjoyed a large sensory garden known as the "Secret Garden", which included plants chosen for their smells, textures and sounds. People grew vegetables in recycled tractor tyres, collected fruit from the garden and shared produce with neighbours such as giving them apples which the neighbours then returned as apple cider. This provided opportunities for social interaction, meaningful activity and connection with the local community.
People and relatives consistently described staff as caring, respectful and attentive. Staff knew people well and responded to their preferences, routines and emotional needs. Regular reviews of the care took place via weekly meetings, surveys and formal reviews as well as ad-hoc telephone calls and use of technology for video calls. One person told us, "I like it here." Another said, "I am happy." These views reflected what we observed throughout our visits, where people appeared comfortable, engaged and confident around the staff supporting them.