The Swallows
Care home, Lewisham, 33 beds
Good
Rated on
Rating from the Care Quality Commission.
The Swallows: inspection record
Rated Good in July 2026, up from Inadequate.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
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| Well-led |
Ratings published by the Care Quality Commission.
Inspected and rated 6 times since 2016. Rated Inadequate in 2016, then Good in 2016 and 2019, then Inadequate in 2025, then Good in July 2026.
Its last inspection improved it from Inadequate to Good. The latest rating was published 3 months ago.
How it compares locally
- One of 44 Good care homes in Lewisham, out of 46 with a rating.
- Larger than 8 in 10 care homes in Lewisham.
What inspectors found
From the Care Quality Commission's assessment published 21 July 2026 (assessment visit 20 April 2026). Quoted under the Open Government Licence.
Date of Assessment: 28 April 2026. The Swallows is a care home without nursing for up to 33 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our assessment there were 13 people living at the service.
At the last assessment in May 2025 [report published in August 2025], we identified breaches of Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) Regulation 15 (premises and equipment), and Regulation 18 (staffing) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We also identified breaches of Regulation 11 (need for consent) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and of Regulation 17 (good governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and Regulation 18 Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009. Following that assessment the provider was placed in special measures. However, the provider took immediate action to address the concerns and made significant improvements in all areas. As a result, and at this assessment, the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.
Read the full summary
At the time of this assessment the registered provider was also the registered manager for the service. However, they employed a home manager to run the service. The home manager was available during this assessment and told us they had submitted their application with CQC to become a registered manager. People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. They monitored people’s health to support healthy living. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to people to take decisions in people’s best interests where they did not have capacity.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to people in a timely way. The provider supported staff wellbeing.
People were involved in decisions about their care. Staff provided information people could understand. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the provider took it seriously and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. Staff worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care.
Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. People with protected characteristics felt supported. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.
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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 inadequate. At this assessment the rating has improved to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.
Breaches identified at the last assessment of Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment), Regulation 15 (premises and equipment), and Regulation 18 (staffing) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 have now been met.
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Effective
Good
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.
The provider was previously in breach of Regulation 11 (need for consent) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and we rated this key question requires improvement.
At the last inspection people's diverse needs and wishes were not always assessed and documented. Assessments were not always completed and did not always include, people's needs relating to any protected characteristics in line with the Equality Act. This was a breach of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.Improvements in all the areas detailed above were found at this assessment and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.
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Well-led
Good
Well-led – this means we looked for evidence that 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 inadequate. At this assessment the rating has improved to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm. we found breaches of Regulation 17 (good governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and Regulation 18 Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009.
Breaches identified at the last assessment of Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) Regulation 15 (premises and equipment), and Regulation 18 (staffing) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 have now been met.
Following that inspection the provider had implemented significant changes which resulted in improvements in all areas previously in breach. At this assessment the rating has improved to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.
Questions to ask when you visit
- Ask to see the most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report and what the home did about any points in it.
- Visit at different times of day, including a mealtime.
Contact and registration details
| Address | 318 Brownhill Road, Catford, London, SE6 1AX |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | Lee, Lewisham |
| Phone | 020 8461 3391 |
| Registered manager | Sharon South-Gould |
| Registered with the CQC since | |
| What it provides |
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| Who it supports |
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| Inspection reports | 7 inspection reports, latest 18 February 2021 (opens the Care Quality Commission website) Latest assessment published 21 July 2026; CQC's newer assessments are published on its website rather than as reports. |
Inspection report
Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)The rating is the Care Quality Commission's. We show it as published and do not change it.
Who runs it
| Provider | Rajanikanth Selvanandan |
|---|---|
| Ownership type | Individual |
Rajanikanth Selvanandan runs 2 services in London. 2 are rated Good or Outstanding.
Other services run by Rajanikanth Selvanandan
- G Beechcroft Care Home Care home with nursing, LewishamGood
Nearest alternatives
- G Beechcroft Care Home Care home with nursing, 0.1 miles awayGood
- G Brownhill Care Limited Care home, 0.1 miles awayGood
- RI Waterfield Supported Homes Limited Care home, 0.1 miles awayRequires improvement
- G Waterfield Supported Homes Limited - 23 Broadfield Road Care home, 0.1 miles awayGood
- G Brownhill Lodge Care home, 0.1 miles awayGood
Getting help from London Borough of Lewisham
The council can assess what care someone needs and tell them what help with the cost they may get.
- Adult social care at London Borough of Lewisham
- Ask for a care needs assessment
- Phone: 020 8314 7777. Out-of-hours emergencies: 020 8314 6000
- Support for carers
- Paying for care: London Borough of Lewisham
Checked on the council's website, November 2026.
Common questions
- Does The Swallows provide nursing care?
- No. The Care Quality Commission lists The Swallows as a care home without nursing.
- How many beds does The Swallows have?
- The Care Quality Commission's register lists 33 beds at The Swallows.
- When was The Swallows last inspected?
- The Care Quality Commission's latest rating for The Swallows was published on 21 July 2026.
- Who runs The Swallows?
- The Swallows is run by Rajanikanth Selvanandan. It runs 2 services in London.
- What is The Swallows's CQC rating?
- Its overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is Good, published on 21 July 2026.