Little Smugglers
Little Smugglers is a residential care home in Crawley Down, West Sussex (RH10 3EF). It holds a CQC rating of Requires Improvement.
About Little Smugglers
We at Little Smugglers are proud to offer specialist residential care in the peaceful village setting of Crawley Down, West Sussex. Our home provides a supportive place to live for younger adults with learning disabilities and autism, alongside respite care for families who need short term support. Nestled within the leafy surroundings of the RH postcode area, our home benefits from the calm, semi rural character that Crawley Down is known for. This gentle environment offers residents a real sense of community, with quiet lanes, open green spaces and the wider natural beauty of West Sussex on the doorstep. It is a setting we feel is ideally suited to encouraging confidence, independence and wellbeing for the people we support. Our focus is on personalised residential care for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults, including younger people at important stages of their lives. In practice, this means we take time to understand each person as an individual, shaping daily routines, communication approaches and activities around their preferences, sensory needs and personal goals. Whether someone thrives on structure and predictability, enjoys creative pursuits, or is working towards greater independence in daily living skills, our team is here to walk that journey alongside them. For families considering respite care, we understand how important it is to know your loved one is somewhere safe, warm and welcoming, even for a short stay. Respite with us is more than a break for family carers. It is an opportunity for the person staying with us to enjoy new experiences, meet others and feel genuinely at home from the moment they arrive. Our most recent Care Quality Commission inspection, published in April 2023, gave us an overall rating of Requires Improvement. We believe in being open about this. The inspection also recognised real strengths in our home, with Good ratings across the Safe, Effective and Caring domains. This reflects the compassion, dignity and day to day quality of support that our team provides. In the areas identified for improvement, namely Responsive and Well led, we are committed to listening, learning and strengthening our practice so that every aspect of life here reaches the standard our residents and their families rightly expect. Choosing a care home is one of the most significant decisions a family can make, and we know it comes with many questions and understandable emotions. We warmly invite families to get in touch, ask anything that is on your mind and, when the time feels right, come and see our home for yourself. At Little Smugglers, we are here to listen, to reassure and to help you find the right way forward for your loved one.
Care provided at Little Smugglers
- Learning disability and autism support
- Younger adults care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 1 April 2023
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
Common questions about Little Smugglers
Where is Little Smugglers located?
Little Smugglers is a residential care home in Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 3EF. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Little Smugglers provide?
Little Smugglers is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Learning disability and autism support, Younger adults care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Little Smugglers's CQC rating?
Little Smugglers is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Requires Improvement following its last inspection on 1 April 2023. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Little Smugglers offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Little Smugglers offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Little Smugglers
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Little Smugglers 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. Little Smugglers 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. Little Smugglers 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?
Yes. Yes. Little Smugglers supports younger adults as well as older people.
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
Little Smugglers 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 Little Smugglers. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
Browse all care homes in Crawley Down.