Homelands
Homelands is a residential care home in Ashford, Kent (TN25 7DT). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Homelands
Homelands is a residential care home in Ashford in Kent. We support adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults, and we offer respite stays for people who usually live elsewhere. We run this as a home that people live in rather than a service they receive. Rooms belong to the people in them and get arranged accordingly. The weekly shop is decided by the people who will eat it. Weekend plans are made by whoever is going. We ask rather than assume, and being told no is a perfectly good answer. Much of what we do is about widening what is possible rather than occupying the day. Cooking something you actually want to eat. Getting confident with money. Managing a journey into town alone. Keeping a course, a job or a friendship going. Some of it comes together quickly, some takes years and some never quite happens, and we do not count the last of those as a failure provided the chance was genuinely there and nobody was pushed into it. Understanding how each person communicates is the other half of the job, particularly where speech is not the main route. We learn each person's way properly, write it down so new staff respond identically, and keep checking we have understood. The Care Quality Commission rated us good at our last inspection.
Care provided at Homelands
- Learning disability and autism support
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 1 May 2018
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
What the inspectors found
A plain English summary of the Care Quality Commission inspection behind the current rating of Homelands. Report published 1 May 2018.
- 20 March 2018
Safe
Inspectors found that people received their medicines safely and at the right time. There were enough staff who knew people well and had been recruited safely. Risks to people had been assessed, and accidents and incidents were reviewed so staff could learn from them.
Effective
Inspectors found that people's needs and choices had been assessed. Staff understood and worked to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. People were encouraged to live healthy lives and were supported to eat and drink enough. Staff worked with health care agencies, and everyone was registered with a GP and a dentist.
Caring
Inspectors found that people were treated with dignity, kindness and respect. They were encouraged to be as independent as possible. Staff took time to talk with people using the way each person preferred to communicate.
Responsive
Inspectors found that people received personalised care that was specific to their needs. Care plans were detailed, individual to each person and reviewed regularly with them. There had been no complaints since the last inspection. People and relatives were regularly given the chance to share any complaints or concerns.
Well-led
Inspectors found there was a registered manager in post, and a service manager ran the home day to day. Staff and managers shared a vision for the service. Staff and the manager completed regular audits. The manager had a development plan, and feedback was sought from people and relatives to improve the service.
What people told the inspectors
People, relatives and staff told inspectors that the service was well led. The report also says people enjoyed living at the service.
Since the last inspection
Rated Good in May 2018, the same overall rating as before (Good).
Safe is still Good; Effective is still Good; Caring is still Good; Responsive is still Good; Well-led is still Good.
- 1 May 2018: Routine inspection, rated Good. This inspection gave the current rating.
- 4 March 2016: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 30 March 2015: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 10 September 2013: Routine inspection
- 16 April 2013: Routine inspection
- 14 September 2011: Routine inspection
Read the full report on the CQC website
Source: Care Quality Commission inspection report, summarised by CareAssura. Contains CQC data used under the Open Government Licence.
How Homelands compares in Ashford
Measured against the 43 care homes registered in Ashford. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 6 places. Smaller than 25 of the 43 homes. The local average is 26 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 39 of the 43 homes (91%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 73%.
- Latest report
- 1 May 2018. 37 of the 43 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- December 2010. 24 of the 43 homes registered more recently.
- Food hygiene
- 5 out of 5. The top rating, shared by 25 of the 26 homes that have one.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes in Ashford.
The local picture: Ashford
What the numbers say about care for older people in Ashford, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 15,000. Rising to 17,600 by 2035, up 18%
- People aged 85 and over: 3,700. Rising to 6,000 by 2035, up 61%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 1,900. Rising to 2,500 by 2035, up 30%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 58%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 60. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 0 closed. 2 changed owner, covering 29 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Homelands
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 30 December 2010, so 15 years.
- Food hygiene rating
- 5 out of 5. Very good. Last inspected by the local council on 30 September 2022.
- Run by
- Canterbury Oast Trust, which runs 9 adult social care services in England. 7 of the 9 that have a rating are rated Good or Outstanding.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Homelands
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, 3.7 miles away
It is about 3.7 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
- Sellindge Surgery, 2.8 miles away
- Ashford Medical Partnership, 3.7 miles away
- Hamstreet Surgery, 4 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Starlight Dental Finberry, 3 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Hamstreet Dental Clinic, 4.2 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Romney House Dental Practice, 4.3 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Boots, 3.2 miles away
- Tesco Instore Pharmacy, 3.4 miles away
- Willesborough Pharmacy, 3.7 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Ham Street Station, 4.1 miles away
- Westenhanger Station, 4.2 miles away
- Ashford International Station, 4.7 miles away
Around Homelands
- H: Homelands
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Homelands
Where is Homelands located?
Homelands is a residential care home in Ashford, Kent, TN25 7DT. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Homelands provide?
Homelands is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Learning disability and autism support, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Homelands's CQC rating?
Homelands is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 1 May 2018. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Homelands offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Homelands offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Homelands
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Homelands is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Homelands is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. Homelands offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.
Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?
Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.
Can she bring her cat or dog?
Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.
Can a couple stay together?
Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.
Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?
Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.
Do they take younger adults as well as older people?
Ask the home. The register does not say which age groups the home supports. Ask the home.
Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?
Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.
Typical weekly fees in the South East
Homelands has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Homelands. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Ashford
- The Autistic Trust - 118 Beaver Lane — CQC Outstanding
- Anderida — CQC Good
- Ashlea House — CQC Good
- Belmont — CQC Good
- Birch House — CQC Good
- Boldshaves Oast — CQC Good
Browse all care homes in Ashford.