






Rated Good in every single area of their Care Quality Commission report (February 2025), Dovecote has a wonderful team of staff who are devoted to enriching the lives of their residents. They provide residential, dementia and respite care, which can be pre-booked.
A warm and welcoming home, it is surrounded by stunning large gardens with wheelchair friendly pathways.
The bedrooms and communal spaces, including light and airy lounges and dining...
Care Provided by Dovecote Residential Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 61 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
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Our weekly fees are individual to each of our residents and are subject to a pre-admission assessment, which is required to understand the level of care and support needed. Our 2025 weekly care fees for residential care start from £1161, but may be in the region of 30% more*. This depends on your care needs and the type of bedroom that is right for you, from our standard rooms through to our premium bedroom options.
*If you require more specialist care such as 1-2-1 support, your weekly fee could be higher.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Dovecote Residential Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Dovecote Residential 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
- Sanctuary Care Ltd
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Lesley Dawson(Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
Room Information
- Single Rooms (61)
Dovecote Residential Care Home Reviews (90)
Dovecote Residential Care Home has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.568) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Dovecote Residential Care Home has 90 reviews.
I visit the home on a regular basis as a eucharistic minister in the Catholic Church. I always receive a warm welcome. The staff are great, very friendly and if I need any help, it's always on hand. When I walk in the home has a nice feel to it. I know it's a very difficult job at times. I speak to the residents and they are well looked after and tell me so. The home seems to me to be a big part of the local community, to it's credit.
Since the new manager has taken over it's definitely a lot cleaner. All staff look smart and take time to talk to residents.
An urgent respite stay was needed for Dad as we had reached a crisis point in his dementia care. As this happened so quickly, we didn't have time to do the normal research and visit the home prior to his stay, so we went in there completely blind. But, we needn't have worried. The staff were all welcoming and helpful, his room was lovely and he seemed content being there. It gave us peace of mind and also provided us with some desperately needed breathing space from caring responsibilities.
Often come to the home on a Wednesday to play bingo with the residents. The home is lovely and warm, and welcoming, nice and clean. We get a cuppa and a cake. The residents seem to love it. The staff are really nice and look after the residents. I have a friend who really looks forward to seeing us, he sits with us when the home has anything on.
Have been visiting a friend quite often. The home is beautifully decorated, very clean, staff are all lovely. My friend is very happy with his care and says food is lovely. He enjoys the arranged activities and loves the bingo. It's lovely that members of the public are able to come in and take part. I have seen an amazing change in the home over the last few months.
Since Mam arrived here, she is settling in really good compared to where she was previously. Doctor and nurses are getting her issues sorted straight away, staff are fabulous with her, just Mam's a bit frightened to ask the staff if there’s something she needs, but I am sure in time she will do. Really good to know that she’s well cared for and family can go in at any time.
Nana only arrived a day ago and already, literally overnight, we can see a positive change in her. Within a couple of hours of her being here a nurse was arranged to change dressings, a doctor has seen her to help get pain under control and she has slept (which is a huge step forward). She is eating willingly. The process of being able to get here was made so easy for the family, with everything being explained every step of the way and what will happen in the future, with thanks to the manager for making what is a difficult time easier for the family. Nothing is a bother for any of the staff. They go above and beyond for residents and their families.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review, we are so pleased your grandmother has settled into Dovecote so well. The team will be delighted to read your review.
My mother's care, and the environment has greatly improved since the appointment of the new manager and staff. Staff provide a person-centred approach to my mother and adapt their behaviours and routines to satisfy her needs. They empower her to make her own decisions when appropriate, while maintaining her safety and facilitating interventions in her best interests. Staff are approachable and helpful, and listen to our opinions and wishes. They involve us in all aspects of her care and regularly invite us to meetings to review risk and care interventions. The environment has greatly improved over the past few months and is still ongoing, we can see changes every time we visit. It is now a pleasant and therapeutic place for residents and carers. The home has introduced carer involvement groups as well as regular joint activities e.g. bingo afternoon with carers, seasonal fayre/get-togethers etc. Finally but most importantly staff are caring and treat my mother with respect.
The staff are very pleasant and patient and the food is good. The home is well-kept and smells fresh and activities are adequate for what I need. The staff are friendly if you need extra help.
Nothing is too much trouble for the staff and they are always attentive towards my aunt. They do a very difficult job, but are always pleasant. My aunt is in very capable hands. The new management team always listen to and act upon any concerns I may have and are extremely friendly and approachable. I am always warmly welcomed by the staff when I visit my aunt. I am always kept informed of any changes to my aunt's care needs. Dovecote has seen immense improvement since the new management team took over. Thank you all.
Always Clean. Mama's well-fed and Mam loves the staff. Dogs are allowed in which Mam loves.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to hear about your mother's experience and will pass on your feedback to the team. Best wishes.
Dovecote Residential Care Home has shown substantial improvements in the environment in the last few months. It is now a clean, welcoming and homely place. Staff are always friendly and appropriately warm and caring with residents. Since coming to Dovecote my father-in-law has started painting again, which he had lost the will to do. He is also enjoying activities he previously would have avoided - gardening, dancing and bingo. We are really lucky to have the home on our doorstep.
Thank you for such a wonderful review for Dovecote Residential Care Home - our team will really appreciate it. It's great to hear that your father-in-law has taken up painting again and is enjoying our activities. Best wishes, Fae.
Making the difficult decision to move my husband into residential care has been made so much easier for me by seeing the great care he is given at Dovecote. When assessing which home was better for him, I was immediately struck by the warm atmosphere and friendliness of the staff. This welcoming atmosphere towards all residents and visitors contributes to the high standard of care. Attention has been given to all of my husband's needs to help him settle in and any problems he has had have been very well managed. I have found all the staff to be very helpful with any concerns I may have and they keep me updated about his wellbeing. Well done to everyone at Dovecote in what must be a very challenging job.
Thank you so much for such a lovely review of our home. It is wonderful to hear how happy you are with the care our team provide and the attention your husband is given. Best wishes.
Nothing is a problem.
Thank you for taking the time to review Dovecote Residential Care Home!
Since my mam came to this home two years ago, she has been treated with the utmost care. She can be very demanding, but the staff are all lovely with her. Any issues, you can go to the lovely management team, who only came this year and has turned the place around. Thank you to all who work here for doing an amazing job.
Thank you so much for your kind words about our home. It's wonderful to hear how happy you are with our management team and the care our team provide. Best wishes.
Staff and management are pleasant and helpful, and also very caring.
Residents are treated with dignity.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our home and for your wonderful feedback! Best wishes.
My mother has been a resident at Dovecote since January of this year, and I am very pleased with the level of care that she has received and which she continues to receive on a daily basis. The staff are incredibly welcoming and are always happy to 'go the extra mile' in keeping my mother safe, well cared for and treated with respect and dignity. She is very content and settled, and the whole family has peace of mind knowing this. Well done to all at Dovecote!
Thank you for such a wonderful review for our team at Dovecote Residential Care Home - it is so appreciated! Best wishes.
The staff at Dovecote are very capable, well-informed, excellent communicators and very friendly. We are so pleased that we decided that Dovecote was the right home for Mum. My mother has advanced dementia, and this means that she can be unaware of what she really should be doing, such as not spending all day in bed. All staff, from the manager and deputy, to the caring team, are aware of her care needs and work hard to ensure these are met. Their communication skills are outstanding. I receive constant feedback on her care and their interventions. I have a great deal of confidence in the staff and the care they deliver. They go out of their way to keep me and my sister updated, and when I'm visiting it is obvious that they take great care to make Mum feel at ease, respect her wishes, and maintain her dignity. She talks fondly about the staff, we have real confidence in their approach and the care Mum is receiving.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful and heart-warming review. It is so appreciated by our team. Best wishes, Fae.
All staff are very friendly and kind.
It is difficult for anyone to have a relative in care, but after initial communication problems, I am very happy with the care given to my mother. With Covid restrictions easing and the warmer months ahead, I feel positive about becoming closer to the Dovecote Residential and Nursing Home team.
Thank you for taking the time to review our home and for your kind words about the care your mother receives. If you have any more feedback, particularly about our rooms, do let us know by emailing care@sanctuary.co.uk, and we will be more than happy to help. Best wishes.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 22 October 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 (2) & Events (0)
- 14 Oct 2025
Residents, their loved ones and staff from Dovecote Residential Care Home in High Spen recently held a community party to celebrate the home's 30th anniversary. The home was filled with...
- 27 Feb 2025
Dovecote has just celebrated a milestone achievement following an impressive report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In the recent inspection, our home was graded ‘good’ across five quality indicators:...
There are no upcoming events for Dovecote Residential Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (9)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Sanctuary Care Ltd
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Sanctuary Care Ltd
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Sanctuary Care Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Dovecote Residential Care Home.
Meet the Team (8)

I have worked at Dovecote for 7 years and I love the residents. We are a really good team that work so well together.

Working here gives me so much back - it’s very rewarding. I have a good rapport with the residents and it’s great to be part of the team here. I am a very approachable person, and I always have a smile on my face!

Lynne has worked for us at Dovecote since 2021 and 'loves being a part of a big team and being around and spending time with our residents'.

It’s so lovely to laugh with the residents and make them happy. Everyone at Dovecote is so friendly - and the staff are just brilliant to work with.

I absolutely love the home and the residents. It is a lovely place to work and such a happy environment.

I love working for our residents, it’s like an extended family.

I like working with the residents and staff, they are wonderful it’s a lovely place to work.

I love working here. Dovecote is a fabulous place to work - the residents, the job and the staff, it’s all amazing!
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