Rated Care Homes

National Star College - Ullenwood

O

Outstanding

Rated on

Rating from the Care Quality Commission.

At a glance

  • 3 ratings

    Rated Outstanding at every inspection since 2015.

  • 1 month

    since the latest rating was published.

  • 12 of 184

    rated care homes in Gloucestershire are rated Outstanding, like this one.

National Star College - Ullenwood: inspection record

Care home with nursing, 88 beds, Gloucestershire

Rated Outstanding in September 2026.

National Star College - Ullenwood: inspection record: inspection ratings by year, 2015 to 2026
201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Overall
Safe
Effective
Caring
Responsive
Well-led

Ratings published by the Care Quality Commission.

Compare nearby

  1. G
    Chargrove Lawn Good, 1.9 miles away
  2. RI
    Lilleybrook Care Home Requires improvement, 2 miles away
  3. RI
  4. G
    The Hamptons Good, 2.4 miles away
  5. RI
    Bafford House Requires improvement, 2.4 miles away

See all care homes in Gloucestershire

What inspectors found

From the Care Quality Commission's assessment published 23 September 2026 (assessment visit 21 April 2026). Quoted under the Open Government Licence.

Date of assessment: 6 July 2026 – 16 July 2026. National Star College, Ullenwood provides specialist residential care and support for young adults with complex health, physical and learning needs.

  • Safe Good
  • Effective Outstanding
  • Caring Outstanding
  • Responsive Outstanding
  • Well-led Good
Read the rest of CQC's summary

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

People, relatives and staff consistently described the service as a safe and supportive place to live and learn. People told us they felt safe, knew who to speak to if they had concerns and were positive about the care and support they received. Relatives spoke highly of the support provided, describing staff as responsive, caring and committed to achieving good outcomes for people.

People received person-centred care from staff who knew them well and supported them to make choices, develop independence and plan for their futures. Communication needs were understood and supported through appropriate assistive technology and tailored approaches. People were involved in decisions about their care and education, and staff worked closely with families and multidisciplinary professionals to promote positive outcomes and smooth transitions. Staff training and healthcare support arrangements were well established, helping people to receive care safely and effectively.

Leaders promoted an open, inclusive and learning-focused culture. Staff were described as kind, respectful and approachable, and people felt able to raise concerns or provide feedback. Governance systems supported continuous improvement and leaders worked proactively with people, relatives and external partners.

The service demonstrated a strong commitment to person-centred care, safety and continuous improvement, with people supported to achieve positive experiences and outcomes.

  1. Safe

    Good

    Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

    At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

  2. Effective

    Outstanding

    Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

    At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has remained outstanding. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently better than expected compared to similar services. People’s feedback described it as exceptional and distinctive.

  3. Caring

    Outstanding

    Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

    At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has remained outstanding. This meant people were truly respected and valued as individuals; and empowered as partners in their care in an exceptional service.

  4. Responsive

    Outstanding

    Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.

    At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has remained outstanding. This meant services were tailored to meet the needs of individuals and delivered to ensure flexibility, choice and continuity of care.

  5. Well-led

    Good

    Well-led – this means we looked for evidence that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture.

    At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant the service was consistently managed and well-led. Leaders and the culture they created promoted high-quality, person-centred care.

Questions to ask when you visit

  1. Ask how nursing cover works at night and at weekends.
  2. Ask to see the most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report and what the home did about any points in it.
  3. Visit at different times of day, including a mealtime.

Registration details

Registered manager
Zoe Barnett
Registered with the CQC since
What it provides
Care home service with nursing, Specialist college service
Who it supports
Children 0-18 years, Learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, Physical Disability, Sensory Impairment, Younger Adults

Inspection report

Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)

4 inspection reports, latest 6 February 2018. Latest assessment published 23 September 2026; the Care Quality Commission's newer assessments are published on its website rather than as reports.

The rating is the Care Quality Commission's. We show it as published and do not change it.

Who runs it

Ownership type
Organisation
Companies House number
00522846 (opens Companies House)

National Star Foundation runs 5 services in England, 3 of them in the South West. 4 are rated Good or Outstanding and 1 has no rating yet.

Other services run by National Star Foundation

  1. G
    Bradbury Gardens Good. Care home with nursing, Gloucestershire
  2. G
    Matrixcare Good. Care home, Worcestershire, West Midlands
  3. G
    National Star at Ledbury Road Good. Care home with nursing, Herefordshire, West Midlands
  4. –
    Foundation House No overall rating. Care home with nursing, Gloucestershire

Getting help from Gloucestershire County Council

The council can assess what care someone needs and tell them what help with the cost they may get.

Checked on the council's website, November 2026.

Common questions

Does National Star College - Ullenwood provide nursing care?
Yes. The Care Quality Commission lists National Star College - Ullenwood as a care home with nursing.
How many beds does National Star College - Ullenwood have?
The Care Quality Commission's register lists 88 beds at National Star College - Ullenwood.
When was National Star College - Ullenwood last inspected?
The Care Quality Commission's latest rating for National Star College - Ullenwood was published on 23 September 2026.
Who runs National Star College - Ullenwood?
National Star College - Ullenwood is run by National Star Foundation. It runs 5 services in England, 3 of them in the South West.
What is National Star College - Ullenwood's CQC rating?
Its overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is Outstanding, published on 23 September 2026.

Contact

Phone
01242 527631
Address
National Star College, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, GL53 9QU Map (opens Google Maps)
Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)

Compare nearby

  1. G
    Chargrove Lawn Good, 1.9 miles away
  2. RI
    Lilleybrook Care Home Requires improvement, 2 miles away
  3. RI
  4. G
    The Hamptons Good, 2.4 miles away
  5. RI
    Bafford House Requires improvement, 2.4 miles away

See all care homes in Gloucestershire