






Situated in a quiet area of St Leonards, Hastings the newly refurbished Southdowns home provides nursing and dementia care for 48 residents tailored to suit their individual needs and covers those needing long term or respite care.
Part of a family run group the philosophy at Southdowns Nursing Home is simple – it provides an environment where the highest standard of care is delivered, where dignity is respected, where talents and...
Care Provided by Southdowns Nursing Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 51 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
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Fee is subject to care needs assessment
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Southdowns Nursing Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Southdowns Nursing 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)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Integrum Care Group
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Kerry Ingram (Registered Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 43+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2023
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (49)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (5)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (1)
Visiting
- Visitors welcome at anytime and one of the team will be happy to show you around. Please get in touch to arrange a time or just pop in when convenient to you.
Parking
- Free parking is available in the on site car park.
Southdowns Nursing Home Reviews (60)
Southdowns Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.622) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Southdowns Nursing Home has 60 reviews.
Absolutely lovely care home. When mum moved into the care home she wasn’t to kind. But, once she realised the staff were there for her needs and to support her where required, she settled well. Mum enjoyed joining in all the activities. She loved all the staff and they looked after Mum to the end.
My Husband has been at Southdowns for 6 months and I am very distressed and worried about him as I feel the care given to him is very poor. When I attempt to raise concerns I am met with resentment and apathy. I visit him at least once each week and there has never been one visit yet where things are running smoothly and he is happy. Simple things as well as more important issues are left undone. I would not recommend this home to anyone. It is heartbreaking to see the state he is left in. Furthermore, the stench of urine throughout the home is considerable.
I would like to say the staff went above and beyond caring for my nan in her last year of life. She had people around her that not only cared for her needs but also made her laugh, putting a smile on her face, which is priceless. Her dignity was kept right to the end. The staff also was very polite and forthcoming to the family after my nan had passed, so felt included, not pushed aside. Thank you for your patience with other family members.
Staff are always available to help.
Very helpful.
Many thanks for taking the time to complete a review. It was a pleasure looking after your loved one. Regards.
When you enter the home, you see a sign 'this home runs on love and laughter' this has been our experience the whole time my husband has been resident here. The home is very clean and smells lovely, everybody we've met has been very kind and helpful, everything we asked for they try to accommodate. My husband is very happy and content which tells me he is treated so kindly even when I'm not there. Very satisfied with everything. Thank you.
My husband was only in the home for a few months but was treated with respect. I was made to feel part of his care. Despite being busy, the staff were caring and helpful, listening to concerns and giving him the care that I could not give him at home. I would recommend this home.
My aunt is comfortable, and the nurses and carers often stop to have chats with her or paint her nails.
The staff at Southdowns made our Christmas special as we all had Christmas Day dinner there in their family room, and nothing was too much trouble.
Thank you, Southdowns.
I want to thank the staff at Southdowns for taking care of my sister. All the staff are friendly and treat my sister with kindness and respect. My sister is being very well looked after, and I appreciate all they are doing for her.
Thank you for such a kind review, and we are so pleased you are happy with the care we provide.
We are very pleased with the care my dad receives at Southdowns Nursing Home. He has settled in really well. The team work really hard to make the residents feel like its home from home. We get regular personal assessments and updates, which is always good as it keeps us all in the loop.
Thank you for your kind review, Sally; it is very much appreciated.
We are so grateful to the Southdowns staff for the exemplary way they look after her.
My dad has been in the care home for two years. Next month he will be 96. He has dementia. My brother and I are very happy indeed that he is at Southdowns. The staff are superb and treat him with kindness and respect. It is clear to us that he is happy and well looked after. Friends and family feel included in the many activities and celebrations provided, either on social media or by email. Parking is easy. Lovely garden with seating. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so pleased your dad is happy and everyone feels welcome and included, it is always our aim to make everyone feel welcome and enjoy their time with us, whether resident or visitor.
My aunt was admitted to Southdowns Nursing Home in September 2017, suffering from acute dementia. Since then, until her death this week at the age of 90, she has received first-class care and support from the team at the home.
Thank you so much for your kind review, and please accept our sincere sympathies for your loss.
Could not wish for a nicer place for my brother to live. Staff are all friendly and welcoming. The care they give is excellent. Always activities and outings going on. Great communication with us, and love the Facebook page.
We moved our aunt to Southdowns at the end of March 2022, as the home that she was staying at had to close down. Southdowns were very helpful with the difficulty of the move and made the transition easy for us. My aunt seems to have settled in well and is more than comfortable. She has a nice room and is well looked after by the caring staff.
I can't thank everyone enough for the care and love they gave my mum. She has six months with you, time we did not expect to have with her. You were all so kind.
We were very pleased with the treatment our mother was given. All staff were very friendly and kind to her and to us when we visited Mum.
Very disappointed with the care given to my husband who was a resident of Southdowns from Sept-Dec 21. I visited my husband 4 times a week and found the care to be sadly lacking. I realise it is difficult to find good caring staff, but my husband did not receive the care we were led to believe would be forthcoming when we visited Southdowns prior to his residence. No continuity of care or support. Simple things like charging his hearing aids daily would have made such a difference to daily living. My husband was moved to hospital on 4th December where he was put on end of life care and died a week later. No support or communication from Southdowns to the hospital or to myself during his stay.
Everyone is friendly and genuinely cares.
Living so far away, we've missed seeing our Mum, but we know she's well looked after and the visits from her husband every 2 weeks are a joy for both of them.
The entertainment team have really stepped up and provided a thorough list of group and individual activities for the residents and the kitchen staff do an excellent cake for parties, plus providing a well-balanced daily menu.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 26 February 2024Good
- CaringGood
- 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 Southdowns Nursing Home.
There are no upcoming events for Southdowns Nursing Home.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Southdowns Nursing Home.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Southdowns Nursing Home.
Meet the Team (4)

Kerry is the Home Manager of Southdowns Nursing Home and Assistant Director for The Mulberry Community.
I dedicated my early adult life, to being a full-time mother to my 3 children. Once they reached a more independent age, I wanted to branch out and find my own independence and carve out my own career for the future.
I started work in children services as a Nursery Practitioner. I then changed direction and started working within the adult care sector - firstly domiciliary, then care home services.
In 2012, I started work at ‘Queen Mary’s Nursing Home ‘ which was to later become Mulberry House - Specialist Residential & Nursing Care. My first role was Senior Care Assistant. After about a year and a half of working night shifts, I changed to day shift, and this was when my progression really started.
It was quickly recognised that I naturally took a managerial lead in situations, and the support I received within the company was welcomed and valued.
I became the first Assistant Practitioner for the company, leading teams of staff and liaising more with external professionals.
I then took on the role of Unit Lead and completed my QCF level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care. This led to being appointed as the Deputy Manager of Mulberry House.
Working within the company for the last 11 years has not only allowed me to develop and grow my skill set, but it has also been the most rewarding 11 years of my career.
I am very excited to embark on the next stage of my journey as the Registered Manager of Southdowns Nursing Home and the Assistant Director of The Mulberry Community.

Born and bred on a farm in the historic village of Bodiam surrounded by outstanding countryside and a backdrop of the picturesque Bodiam Castle led to the start of my career in hospitality at the local Inn. I worked there on and off for many years in several roles: Barman, Bar Manager, & Chef.
1989 Travelled to Australia, spending a year there, seeing the sights and picking up temporary work to fund my travels. On my return, I undertook a City & Guilds cookery course at the local college.
Following a move out of the countryside to St Leonards on Sea, I briefly worked for The Co-Op, British Telecom Operator Services, and the CSA, always keeping a casual bar job on the side.
1996 saw the opening of a new Motor Insurance Company, in Bexhill, and I was there for the set-up, starting as a Telesales Operator, rising through the ranks to Team Leader, Supervisor, Deputy Customer Service Manager, New Claims & Business Services Supervisor. I achieved an ILM management diploma, as well as CII certification. After 14 years there I was made redundant, so started looking for a new venture.
2010 I bought a café/restaurant in Bexhill and spent the next 3 years working hard to make it a success before selling it in 2013.
I took a few months out to re-energize then started temping in administration at Mais House Poppy Home in Bexhill, eventually being appointed Head of Administration. I then took on the role of Business Manager for a family-run care group that had homes in Surrey and Sussex- One of them being Queen Mary’s and Mulberry House. The company built a new home and I helped in the Commissioning of the Home, staffing and recruitment and dealt with enquiries, setting up the Bistro for public use and anything else that needed to be done. The Home was then sold after a year and I remained at the Home as Business & Hospitality Manager and did so for 6 years until I became tired of the travelling. That’s when I was made aware of the opportunity at Southdowns, met with Tara & Kerry, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I look forward to helping the Southdowns Team move onward and upward.

Donna is the Administrator for Southdowns.

Jenny is the Administrator at Southdowns.
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