Cookie Policy

Last updated: 9 Dec 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how South West Care Homes Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on:

• our main website: [main domain, e.g. southwestcarehomes.co.uk]; and

• the websites of our individual care homes (each a “Home Website”, together “our websites”).

Our websites are designed and/or managed by SW1 Limited, who help us implement and manage cookies and consent tools on our behalf.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we process personal data more generally.

By using our websites, you agree that we can use cookies in accordance with this policy. Where required by law, we will only set non-essential cookies with your consent.

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1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the site owner.

Cookies can be:

• First-party cookies – set by the website you are visiting.

• Third-party cookies – set by another domain (for example Google) when you use our site.

Similar technologies (such as pixels, tags, scripts and local storage) are treated in this policy as “cookies”.

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2. Who is responsible for cookies on our sites?

For most cookies used on our websites, the data controller is:

South West Care Homes Ltd
Tamar Science Park, 1 Davy Road, Plymouth PL6 8BX
Email: info@southwestcarehomes.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 324 7007

Our websites are hosted and technically managed with the support of:

SW1 Limited
(Website design, development and management services)

SW1 Limited acts as our data processor for technical implementation of cookies and consent and will only process data in accordance with our instructions.

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3. How we use cookies

We use cookies to:

• make our websites work and keep them secure;

• remember your cookie choices and other preferences;

• support accessibility features on the site (for example font size, contrast, colour-blind mode);

• understand how visitors use our websites so we can improve them;

• where enabled, help us measure the effectiveness of our information and marketing (for example via Google Analytics).

We do not use cookies to sell your data to third parties.

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4. Types of cookies we use

4.1 Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for our websites to function properly and securely. They enable core features such as:

• page navigation and loading of content;

• keeping you logged into secure areas (for example a staff portal);

• remembering your cookie settings and privacy preferences;

• load-balancing and performance on our hosting platform;

• basic security and fraud prevention.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to provide the service you request when using our sites, they do not require your consent. If you block them, parts of the site may not work correctly.

4.2 Functional and accessibility cookies

These cookies allow our websites to remember choices you make (such as text size, font, colour scheme, accessibility options) and provide enhanced features.

On our sites, this includes cookies set by our Accessibility Helper plugin, which we use to support visitors who may benefit from adjusted visual settings. These cookies may:

• remember your chosen font size and font style;

• remember brightness, contrast and saturation settings;

• remember colour-blind and other accessibility modes;

• keep these preferences in place as you move between pages or return to the site.

These cookies help us deliver a more accessible and user-friendly experience. You can control these cookies via our cookie settings panel and your browser settings. If you disable them, some accessibility features may not function as intended.

4.3 Analytics / performance cookies (e.g. Google Analytics)

Where enabled, we use Google Analytics to collect information about how visitors use our websites, for example:

• which pages are visited and for how long;

• how visitors arrive at our sites (for example from a search engine);

• basic information about the device and browser being used.

This helps us understand which parts of our websites are working well and where we can improve.

Analytics cookies are non-essential. We will only set them with your consent through our cookie banner or settings panel.

Google Analytics may set cookies such as:

• _ga – used to distinguish users;

• _ga_<container-id> – used to maintain session state;

• (in some configurations) _gid, _gat or similar short-lived cookies.

Where possible, we configure Google Analytics to use IP anonymisation. For more information on how Google processes data, please refer to Google’s own privacy and cookie notices.

4.4 Third-party / embedded content cookies

Our websites may include embedded content or services from third parties – for example:

• map services;

• video players;

• social media feeds;

• job application portals;

• other tools or widgets.

When you view or interact with this content, those third-party providers may set their own cookies. These cookies are controlled by the relevant third party, not by us. We encourage you to review their privacy and cookie policies where applicable.

Depending on their purpose, these cookies may be treated as non-essential and will be controlled through our cookie banner or settings where required.

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5. Cookies we use (summary)

The exact cookies in use may change from time to time as we update our websites and services. The tables below provide an overview of the main types of cookies that may be set when you use our sites.

You can always see the most up-to-date information via our cookie settings panel (“Cookie Settings” / “Change cookie settings”) on the website.

5.1 Strictly necessary cookies (examples)

These cookies are required for the site and cookie consent mechanism to work properly.

5.2 Functional & accessibility cookies (examples)

These cookies help us deliver a more accessible and user-friendly experience.

5.3 Analytics cookies – Google Analytics (when enabled)

These cookies are only set if you accept analytics cookies in our cookie settings.

5.4 Third-party / embedded content cookies

When we embed content from third parties (for example, map services, video platforms or recruitment tools), they may set cookies for their own purposes, such as:

• measuring usage of their service;

• remembering your preferences;

• providing security or fraud-prevention.

These cookies are generally controlled by the third party and may be treated as non-essential. Where they are used, we will seek consent via our cookie banner or settings, where required.

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6. How we obtain your consent

When you first visit one of our websites (or return after your consent has expired), you will see a cookie banner / pop-up. This will:

• inform you that we use cookies;

• offer you clear options, including Accept, Reject and Settings (or similar);

• let you choose which categories of non-essential cookies (such as Analytics or Third-Party) you want to allow.

Non-essential cookies (such as Google Analytics and certain third-party cookies) are not set unless and until you give your consent.

You can withdraw or change your consent at any time using the “Cookie Settings” or “Change cookie settings” link or button shown on the site.

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7. How to change your cookie settings

You can manage your cookie preferences in two ways:

1. Via our site’s cookie settings panel

   • Click on the “Settings” or “Change cookie settings” link in the banner or in the site footer.

   • Adjust the toggles for each cookie category (e.g. Strictly Necessary, Functional / Accessibility, Analytics, Third-Party) and save your preferences.

2. Via your browser settings
   Most browsers allow you to view, delete and block cookies for all websites. The help section of your browser will have more information.

Please note: if you block or delete certain cookies (especially strictly necessary cookies), some site features may not work properly.

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8. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal. There is currently no industry standard for how websites should respond to these signals, so we do not presently respond to DNT. You can still control cookies using the methods described above.

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9. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time, for example to reflect:

• changes in the cookies we use;

• changes in law or regulatory guidance; or

• improvements to our websites and services.

The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised. We recommend you check this page periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

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10. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact:

South West Care Homes Ltd
Tamar Science Park, 1 Davy Road, Plymouth PL6 8BX
Email: info@southwestcarehomes.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 324 7007

You can also learn more about cookies and your rights from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).