Smock Acre
Smock Acre is a residential care home in Canterbury, Kent (CT3 4LF). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Smock Acre
Smock Acre is a residential care home near Canterbury supporting adults with learning disabilities and people with physical disabilities. We treat the house as belonging to the people who live in it, and we try to behave like people who are there to help rather than people who are in charge. People arrange their own rooms, take part in the shopping and cooking as much as they want to, and decide how their days are spent. We support people to get out to work, to college, to clubs, to appointments and to see family, because a home is somewhere you go out from and come back to. Support is individual and agreed with the person. Some here need a great deal of help and others very little, and both are entirely normal. We put real weight on communication, using speech, signing, symbols, objects of reference or simply the understanding that grows from living alongside somebody. Short respite stays are available alongside permanent places. Our most recent rating from the Care Quality Commission is good. Please contact us if you would like to visit.
Care provided at Smock Acre
- Learning disability and autism support
- Physical disability support
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 22 January 2019
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 Smock Acre. Report published 22 January 2019.
- 8 January 2019
- 3 places, 3 people were using the service at the time
Safe
Inspectors found that processes were in place to keep people safe from abuse. When risks to people or the building were found, action was taken to reduce them. There were enough staff, staff were recruited safely, and people were supported with their medicines in a safe way.
Effective
Inspectors found that people's needs were assessed and care was given in line with current law and best practice guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to meet people's needs. People had timely access to healthcare services and were supported to eat and drink enough.
Caring
Inspectors found that people were treated with kindness and compassion. People were supported to share their views and take part in decisions about their care, and their relatives were involved too. Staff respected people's dignity and privacy and encouraged people to be as independent as possible.
Responsive
Inspectors found that people received care that was responsive to their needs. People knew how to complain, and complaints were dealt with in line with the service's policies. Staff knew how to identify people who might be coming to the end of their life.
Well-led
Inspectors found that there was a registered manager in post and audits were in place to check the quality of the service. Staff said the service was open and transparent and that they felt supported by their managers. Staff were involved in developing the service, and the registered manager had built links with the local community.
Since the last inspection
Rated Good in January 2019, 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.
- 22 January 2019: Routine inspection, rated Good. This inspection gave the current rating.
- 9 June 2016: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 8 January 2014: Routine inspection
- 25 April 2013: 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 Smock Acre compares in Canterbury
Measured against the 66 care homes registered in Canterbury. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 3 places. Smaller than 65 of the 66 homes. The local average is 31 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 45 of the 66 homes (68%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 73%.
- Latest report
- 22 January 2019. 58 of the 66 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- January 2011. 35 of the 66 homes registered more recently.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes in Canterbury.
The local picture: Canterbury
What the numbers say about care for older people in Canterbury, 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: 19,800. Rising to 23,300 by 2035, up 17%
- People aged 85 and over: 5,300. Rising to 8,200 by 2035, up 54%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 2,600. Rising to 3,300 by 2035, up 28%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 73%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 91. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 1 opened, 2 closed. 5 changed owner, covering 153 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 Smock Acre
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 24 January 2011, so 15 years.
- Run by
- Avenues South East, 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 Smock Acre
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
- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, 9.5 miles away
It is about 9.5 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
- Sturry Surgery, 3.1 miles away
- Park Surgery, 3.2 miles away
- The Heron Medical Practice, 3.4 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Anele de Novo Dental Practice, 2.4 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Mydentist, 2.9 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Herne Bay Dental Surgery, 3.2 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Hollytree Pharmacy, 1.9 miles away
- Hollytree Pharmacy, 2.2 miles away
- Hollytree Pharmacy, 2.4 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Herne Bay Station, 3.2 miles away
- Sturry Station, 3.5 miles away
- Chestfield & Swalecliffe Station, 5.1 miles away
Around Smock Acre
- H: Smock Acre
- 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 Smock Acre
Where is Smock Acre located?
Smock Acre is a residential care home in Canterbury, Kent, CT3 4LF. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Smock Acre provide?
Smock Acre is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Learning disability and autism support, Physical disability support, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Smock Acre's CQC rating?
Smock Acre is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 22 January 2019. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Smock Acre offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Smock Acre offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Smock Acre
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Smock Acre 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. Smock Acre 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. Smock Acre 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
Smock Acre 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 Smock Acre. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
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