
Excellent 2 weeks respite for my mumTony F(Son of Resident/Service User)



Excellent 2 weeks respite for my mumTony F(Son of Resident/Service User)



Spen Court is a modern, care home with views of the Spen Valley Greenway with residential and dementia care units and a team of professional care staff tending to resident needs. The home offers palliative, dementia, respite and residential care.
Bedrooms at Spen Court are set across two floors, while each floor has its own living room and dining room, allowing residents to relax and socialise.
The home is surrounded by its...
Care Provided by Barchester Spen Court Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 45 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
This Weekly Fee rate is an indication only of a typical standard fee rate for a resident living in a standard, comfortable room. A final Weekly Fee rate will be confirmed once we have carried out a pre-admission needs assessment. For nursing care, Weekly Fee rate will be dependent on personal needs.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Barchester Spen Court Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Barchester Spen Court Care Home 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
Group / Owner
- Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Paula Pearson(General Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2022
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (45)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (45)
Parking
- The home has limited parking on-site.
Barchester Spen Court Care Home Reviews (152)
Barchester Spen Court Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.684) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Barchester Spen Court Care Home has 152 reviews.
My dad became concerned for his care in his previous home and saw Avery Mews in the paper and asked me to get him a visit and moved. The manager was so helpful and organised a visit and dad liked the place so much. When a room came available the manager arranged the transfer as I live so far away. The move went smoothly and he was soon settled in his new room. The care he received immediately made him more settled and he always had nice things to say about the staff! Although he didn't eat much, the food was 100% better. The whole environment was so much better and as I say he felt safe. Unfortunately, for my dad aged 96, his stay was shortlived due to his various ailments which suddenly took a turn for the worse. He was soon to pass away, but the staff took care of him so well in his final hours. My sister and I have been made to feel so welcome back at the home and I don't live near but my sister does and knows she will always be welcome. Dad missed out.
I had to take mother for respite care on the 30th April 2017. After assessment by the manager, she was accepted into Avery Mews Care Home where my mother was very well looked after and made perfectly at home there by the care staff. She was there til the 16th May 2017 when she passed away peacefully.
At last, we feel Mum is receiving excellent care and when we leave her we know we don't have to worry.
Mum is very happy here and that means everything.
More recently the excellent care given to Mum since admission has been further extended to myself and the rest of her family as we strive to deliver the best possible end of life care for her. My mum has been a very important person in my life and that of my siblings and her grandchildren; we have never wanted anything but the best for her care and have felt really lucky to have found a team and home that have always gone the extra mile to ensure that this wish can and has become a reality.
Good home, supportive staff and care home manager. Staff listen to concerns and act upon them. The home is accommodating to individual needs and change routines to care for individuals within the home.
She had dementia and various illnesses but, whilst she was never sure where she was, she always said, "I like it here" when asked.
As care homes go, Avery Mews is one of the best.
The standard of accommodation is excellent and the staff are caring in the best sense of the word and treat (sometimes difficult) residents as people and not patients.
I have visited Mam there lots of time and have nothing bad to say about it.
My Mother who suffered from Alzheimer's went to Avery Mews late last year after being in 3 other care homes for respite recovery. This home is exceptional, there are no words to describe the care and affection she received by every member of staff. I never heard anything other than kindness and complete dedication to all the residents, and the standard of cleanliness and hygiene couldn't be faulted. They looked after my Mother until her death earlier this month. Nothing was too much trouble and she died with dignity and peace.
In the 6 years that my father was in the care of the home, I can honestly say that neither my father or myself had any complaints at all. The home was kept extremely clean with very polite and helpful staff. My father was a very fussy eater but no complaints on that front either.
I cannot thank the staff and everyone at Avery House Care Home enough, their dedication and genuine kindness they showed my mam was truly humbling. They supported her through many difficult times especially at the end of her life, giving her the dignity and respect she deserved. She was happy at Avery Mews and that enabled myself and family to know that she was in safe hands. We would laugh and joke with her, and all the staff always made me feel welcome when visiting. The meals were all prepared to a high standard, the cleanliness and laundry facilities were always immaculate. I would highly recommend Avery House Care Home.
Auntie was unable to remain at home due to poor eyesight so my brother and I looked at several care homes in the area and this seemed the nest. This was based on the attractiveness of the lounge, dining area, individual rooms plus the very friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere. Auntie has now been here 17 months and first impressions have proved correct. In the last 4 months, auntie has been quite ill and confined to her room - usually in bed. The care given has been exceptional - Nothing is too much trouble.
At first, I used to go to the lounge and take part in activities; also go to the dining room for meals. In the last five months, I have been unwell and confined to my room but all my needs have been really well looked after.
I cannot speak more highly of the level of care and standards at Avery Mews - wonderful!
We contacted Avery Mews whilst trying to find a home for my father as his ability to live alone rapidly declined. As I lived in Australia and my brother in London, we required somebody that we could trust and that was conscientious and the Manager and her staff did not disappoint.
The Manager and the Brighterkind team showed real flexibility during a period that my father was admitted to hospital. We were not hassled or pressured through this period and my father eventually moved into a lovely room. Unfortunately, he only spent 3 days in Avery Mews before he passed away. The care team managed to administer CPR on my dad, restarting his heart and giving the family long enough to join him in the hospital to say goodbye before he passed away.
I will always be eternally grateful to the genuine warmth the team showed my father, and the immediate actions they took with dad before he passed away.
It was a difficult decision to put my mum in a care home. At 98 she was still physically able but was no longer able to cook for herself or shop and was often confused. She and I looked at 4 care homes and this was the only one she liked. From day 1 the staff have been very helpful, kind and respectful to mum. I live in Australia but was in England to put mum in the home. Staff were always welcoming and allowed her to have all the things in her room she needed including a glass of wine when she wanted one. Since I came home they helped her to Skype me on the tablet- which I could not have done in her home. I also send her a short newsletter with photos and the staff download it and print it out for her. I feel more in contact with her than when she was living in her own home. My brother lives nearby and visits regularly and both of us know my mother is safe, particularly as she is gradually losing more of her speech and understanding of language.
Throughout the time I have been involved with Avery Mews circa 3 years, I have been very impressed with the staff who worked in the dementia unit. The dignity and respect that they afforded my mum and husband was exemplary. Their level of compassion and care was like nothing I had experienced before. True unsung heroes.
My mum was at Avery Mews Care Home for 17 months. I have only praise for all the staff who looked after my mum until her death. Before her passing, they showed love, care and compassion towards her and has a family that is all we could wish for. When my mum was very ill, not only did they look after her, they looked after her family. Could not wish for better staff.
As a family, we cannot praise the care and support afforded our mum highly enough. She was always treated with dignity, respect, sympathy and love. Throughout her time at Avery Mews, the staff were amazing and always made us welcome on every visit, creating a true "family" atmosphere. We would not have wished for a much better place to spend her final few years. Thank you to all the staff.
This home is second to none. The care, empathy and concern showed by the Manager and her team were exemplary. Food and facilities are of a very high standard. Unfortunately, my friend passed away in June but I couldn't have wished for him to have been cared for, tortured by dementia, in a better place. Thank you!
The care from all the girls is wonderful. Nothing is too much trouble for them. The food (all meals) are very good. The cleanliness is always good.
First impression was lovely. Clean home in pleasant surroundings. The staff are always welcoming and friendly, easy to talk to and cannot do enough to help. Well done girls. My aunt has settled in nicely and always remarks "it's lovely here isn't it". Especially when she can sit in the garden on a sunny day. Also no complaints about the food. It makes us all happy and at ease to know that my relation is happy too. Thanks to all.
Excellent care, lovely clean home. Carers first class. Excellent food. This is a first class home.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 29 June 2019Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeRequires improvement
- 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 (41) & Events (0)
- 24 May 2026
In order to support residents’ relatives and friends, and the local community on National carers week, Barchester’s Spen Court Care Home in Heckmondwike is launching a carers café on Tuesday...
- 07 May 2026
In order to support residents’ relatives and friends, and the local community, Barchester’s Spen Court Care Home in Heckmondwike is hosting a free Understanding Dementia Talk (dementia Friends session) on...
- 06 May 2026
Residents and staff at Spen Court care home in Heckmondwike, honoured their local firefighters by inviting their local fire crew to the home to deliver a basket of goodies to...
There are no upcoming events for Barchester Spen Court Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (15)
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 15 Apr 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Barchester Spen Court Care Home.
Meet the Team (7)

Hi, my name is Paula, and I am the General Manager here at Spen Court.
Thank you for taking the time to look further into what we have to offer to you or your loved one. Here is an opportunity to look at some of our staff team in the home, who all play a vital role in day-to-day life.
I joined the home in June 2023. I qualified as a general nurse in 1991 starting my career in the NHS for the first year before moving to the private sector in 1993, where I have been managing residential and nursing homes ever since
I have 30 years of experience working with older persons and those living with dementia and am passionate about ensuring all of our residents receive the best possible care and experience. I and my team look forward to welcoming you to our home.
I look forward to welcoming you to our home.

Hi, my name is Nikki. I have been the Deputy Manager here at Spen Court since May 2024; however, I have worked at Spen Court for over 14 years, both as a senior carer and then as a Team Leader.
I strive to improve the quality of life for our residents to make their day as full and comfortable as possible. I use my skills and knowledge to help develop the care team, and I am also one of the home’s Dementia champions.
I have built good relationships with residents, relatives and the team over the many years I have been at Spen Court. I look forward to welcoming you to our home.

I have worked at Spen Court since November 2008. I deal with all aspects of the administration in the home to ensure it runs smoothly, and I have built good relationships with residents, relatives and the team.
I enjoy every day at Spen Court and love my job.

Hello, my name is Elizabeth. I am the receptionist here at Spen Court.
As a Receptionist, I greet visiting friends and families, Professionals potential new residents and their loved ones when I do a show round of our home. I love meeting people and making them feel welcome in the home.

My name is Angela, and I am the Head Activities Coordinator here at Spen Court. I get so much satisfaction out of knowing I have made a difference in people’s days and have filled the home with a sense of community and happiness.
We feel it is important to build community connections and maintain our residents’ social interaction outside the care home.
We ensure we deliver a person-centred program of events and activities and build strong relationships with our residents, their families and friends.

I am Colin, and I became the head of maintenance here at Spen Court in May 2026. I have a wealth of maintenance experience from hotels over the years. I like to get to know each resident and deliver any maintenance works that are required throughout the home.

I have many years of experience as a Head Chef working in the film industry, as well as Catering for 2 well known long running soaps (one of which is filmed here in Yorkshire).
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