The Dispensary
Residential care home · Durham
Sherburn House, Sherburn, Durham, DH1 2SH
Run by Swanton Care & Community (Autism North) Limited
- GoodCQC · Aug 2025
- 8.4Our score
- Beds5
- Type of careResidential
- Phone0191 300 6850
Latest inspection
- Inspected on 15 August 2025
What the inspectors rate
- SafeGood
- EffectiveGood
- CaringOutstanding
- ResponsiveGood
- Well-ledGood
- Regulator
- Care Quality Commission
- Registered as
- The Dispensary
- Status
- Registered in England
- Latest rating
- Good
- Register number
- 1-15544735329
From the public register of the Care Quality Commission, checked on 2 November 2026.
About The Dispensary
The Dispensary supports people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical disabilities and other complex care requirements. Its wider organisation provides independent-living and health and social-care services across residential, supported-living and community settings, with support tailored to individual needs and aspirations.
The service aims to help people move towards greater independence and community living through flexible, responsive support. The evidence identifies The Dispensary as a residential care home, but does not document its specific facilities, staffing pattern, activities or admission arrangements. It therefore suits readers researching specialist support for complex needs who want to understand the provider’s broader approach before asking about this home’s exact pathway. Support for independent living is a central theme of the provider’s offer.
Care on offer
- Care homes
Compared with Durham
Nearest
| Name | Distance | Official rating | Our score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beddell HouseDurham | 0.1 miles | Good | 8.0 | |
| Belmont Grange Nursing and Residential HomeDurham | 1.3 miles | Good | 8.0 | |
| Bowburn Care CentreDurham | 2.3 miles | Good | 8.0 | |
| St Margaret's Care HomeDurham | 2.5 miles | Good | 8.0 | |
| Nevilles CourtDurham | 2.9 miles | Good | 8.0 |
Also run by Swanton Care & Community (Autism North) Limited
| Name | Official rating | Our score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints VicarageHetton-le-Hole | Good | 8.0 | |
| Murton GrangeSeaham | Good | 8.4 | |
| Trinity HouseSeaham | Good | 8.4 | |
| EastholmeSeaham | Good | 8.0 | |
| Seaham ViewSeaham | Good | 8.0 | |
| TynedaleSunderland | Good | 8.0 | |
| The CedarsSunderland | Good | 8.0 | |
| Park LodgeSunderland | Good | 8.0 | |
| EastcliffeSunderland | Good | 8.0 | |
| LynnwoodNewcastle upon Tyne | Good | 8.0 | |
| Linden TerraceWhitley Bay | |||
| Pennine ViewBarnsley | Requires improvement | 6.2 |
What stands out
What stands out
- Support tailored to individual aspirations
- Pathways towards community living
- Services for multiple complex needs
Suits: People with complex needs seeking supported living or residential care
Types of care
Also works on: residential
Location
Sherburn House, Sherburn, Durham, DH1 2SH
DirectionsFeatured in
Questions families ask
How much does The Dispensary cost?
The CQC register does not list fees, so ask The Dispensary for its weekly fee. As a guide, County Durham council paid on average £1,155 a week for a residential care place for adults aged 18 to 64 in 2024-2025, against £1,883 across England (GOV.UK adult social care finance report). People who pay for their own care are usually charged more than councils pay.
Who pays for a place in this home?
Ask The Dispensary whether it takes residents funded by County Durham council and what it charges people who pay for themselves. In England the council may help after a needs assessment and a financial assessment if savings and assets are below £23,250 (2026 to 2027 rules). People whose needs are mainly health needs may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which pays the full fee.