






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.
Beyond the exceptional clinical care for mum, the team provides wonderful support to us as a family. we truly believe this is the best nursing home in East Sussex!
Thank you so much for your lovely words. I'll be sure to pass your kind feedback on to the team-they'll be delighted to hear it.
The staff are always polite and very informative with every aspect of dad's care.
The home is always kept very clean and tidy.
All of the staff are lovely.
Thank you for your kind words Kelly. We are so glad dad has settled in - Kerry
My dad has been in Southdowns care home for a few months now and I couldn't be happier with the care he is receiving. Although he is nearly non verbal now he always seems very happy, relaxed and content. He always receives very nice meals and there is always someone checking that he is drinking well too. All the staff are amazing and take such good care of my dad, they are very caring towards him and always chat to him even though they don't get much back. They are always very polite and friendly to me and the rest of my family when visiting. The manager (Kerry) has been amazing with the whole process of my dad going into the home, she is extremely helpful and has fab communication skills which made myself and my family feel more relaxed. It's not a nice thing to have to put a parent into a home but seeing the love and care he receives in Southdowns has made the process much easier for us. We wouldn't want him anywhere else.
Thank you so much for your lovely review, which I've shared with the team. We're all so glad your dad is settling in well - we know how much reassurance and peace of mind that brings to you and your family.- Kerry
My friend was admitted from hospital to spent the last days of his life. Although he was only with you for ten days, he was looked after with great care and dignity. Everyone from the manager and senior nurse to the cleaners were wonderful.
Thank you for your feedback and kind words - Kerry
All management and staff I feel have been excellent in caring for my dad over the 4 plus years he has resided there. They have supported him throughout, and have always notified me straight away if anything has arisen. My dad was well looked after and was always kept occupied with things to do and be involved in. The staff made him comfortable right up until the very end.
Dear John , Thank you for your feedback and kind words . We wish you, and your family well - Kerry and the team.
Staff were professional & friendly & helpful. We had an impromptu meeting with Kerry who was welcoming & attentive. My Father was treated with kindness & patience & we feel that he is in good hands. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your kind words - It was lovely meeting you all.
Roy has been here for two months from the 27th October 2025, he went in with Vascular Dementia and Southdowns Nursing Home is a big spacious home with its own individual rooms and spacious lounge. The visiting times are good, there very friendly and make you feel welcome. They need to improve on the food as I have given 2 lists of what he likes but they have been giving him food he didn't like. He is happy and always keen to see his family.
Dear Karen , A care plan has been fully implements to reflect likes and dislikes . That you for your support with formulating this , with intake noticeably better and gaining 5kg ! - See you soon
Our mum seems very happy at Southdowns we are all very happy with the level of care she receives. If we need to raise anything, it is always dealt with in a quick and measured way.
Excellent home very well run I can't fault it thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words . As ever, your feedback is appreciated
My husband has only been in Southdowns for a short time. The care is excellent, also general standard the staff are assisting him in settling down and adjusting to living in care. Showing compassion and understanding.
Thank you for your kind words, and welcome you both to our home.
Could not ask for a better home for my mum. All the staff go above and beyond. There aren't many that can say they had visits from ponies, chicks and the Easter bunny whilst bed bound. Thank you for all you do. It doesn't go unnoticed.
Thank you so much for your kind words . We like a bit of variety !
I cannot express in words how kind all the staff have been with my mother's care. Mum was fortunate to be offered a different room and everyone was amazing with her transfer and onward care. Thank you
We are so pleased you are all happy, and enjoying your home.
My friend came for care from her home to be nearer me. She has been given exceptional time and assistance to help her to settle in and gentle support over the weeks, she has spent with you all. I appreciate all you do for her and am reassured that she is now in a safe friendly place. I experienced a difficult incident last Friday when all the staff reacted in an exemplary manner. I was impressed and very grateful.
Dad was at Southdown's Nursing Home for the last 3 years of his life. He went at a very difficult time in his life, our beloved Mum had died and he had broken his hip and could no longer manage at home. The staff helped him and us cope with our loss. The staff have always tried to work with Dad who was desperate to maintain as much independence as possible. To dad the staff became friends and nothing was too much trouble. At the end of his life when he could no longer do the things he wanted they always made sure he was as smart as he would have wanted to be which was so important for him. We were welcome to visit at any time and involved in his care to keep him as comfortable as possible. Dad was treated with dignity and respect at all times. I consider ourselves lucky to have found such a lovely home and be part of the Southdowns family. On the rare occasion we thought something could be improved we simply spoke to management and it was sorted. I can't praise or thank them enough.
Dear Karen. Thank you for your kind words, as ever.
All of the staff at this Care Home are totally awesome. They really get to know each resident and are so kind and caring and can anticipate the resident's needs. I was lucky to be present at one of their special afternoons with a singer who sang all the songs that we all recognised and enjoyed, most of the residents were present and so were a lot of the staff, I could see several examples of such love and care from the staff to the residents I was so impressed. It was a lovely afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I could see that the residents did too, thank you Southdowns for such considerate kindness and care it just confirmed my first impression when I came to choose a place for my husband.
Thank you for your lovely feedback, I will forward your words on to the team. We are now preparing for the Christmas festivities - Let the fun begin! - (Home Manager).
From what I observe it is well run and clean and the carers are very pleasant. The people I visit seem to be happy and well cared for.
Thank you so much for your feedback, and so glad you still feel welcome. We love seeing you!
My mum has recently moved into the home. She and we have been made to feel welcome by the friendly team. It was obvious from speaking with the manager that she had conducted a thorough handover with the hospital my mum was transitioning from and also sought extra information from me to enable the home to effectively support my mum when she does become unwell again. The home seems to be having work done to it, which is a good thing. The lounge is large, airy, clean and spacious, and I can see from the home's Facebook page that my mum is beginning to join in with the activities that are available.
Thank you for your lovely review of the home. We are so pleased you are happy with the care we provide and the refurbishments to enhance our resident's comfort when staying with us. It is lovely to hear that your mum is enjoying all the wonderful activities.
Since my mum moved to Southdowns, I have noticed a huge improvement in her well-being. Staff are very present and friendly - I have been asked by different members on different occasions about things Mum likes and dislikes. The home itself is immaculate, and I feel relieved she is well cared for.
Thank you for such a lovely review. We are all pleased you have noticed a huge improvement and are happy with the care we are providing.
My grandmother was in your care for roughly eighteen months, until she sadly passed away. The manager and her staff, the head nursing staff and one ex member of staff in particular my gran got on with so well. They made her experience a loving, friendly, family atmosphere. She made friends with a few ladies and the staff would also try their best to sit them all together.
New manager in situ, many changes. There is to be a new entertainment manager and assistant manager, as the patients have been without stimulation for some months.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southdowns Nursing Home
What types of Care is Southdowns Nursing Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Mental Health Condition are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Southdowns Nursing Home have?
There are 49 Single Rooms and 1 Couples/Companion Room.
What are the Facilities & Services at Southdowns Nursing Home?
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 are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Southdowns Nursing Home to the centre of St Leonards-on-Sea?
0.6 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 Southdowns Nursing Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Southdowns Nursing Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.