Care for specific needs · Portsmouth

Learning disability care services in Portsmouth

28 home care agencies and 7 care homes in Portsmouth are registered with CQC to support those with a learning disability. Compare the highest rated, see how to get help from Portsmouth City Council, and where to find support.

Based on specialisms providers registered · Updated 19 October 2026

Key facts

  • 28 agencies, 74% scoring Good or better where inspected.
  • 7 homes, 71% scoring Good or better where inspected.
  • Call Portsmouth City Council on 023 9268 0810 for a free assessment.
  • Advice line 0808 808 1111 (Mencap Learning Disability Helpline).

Citation: "Learning disability care services in Portsmouth", published by The Care Panel (Oct 2026).

Home care in Portsmouth

Ordered by rating, then by inspection date.

By town

Homes with this specialism

Ordered by rating, then by inspection date.

By town

Specialist services in Portsmouth in numbers

47% is the share of Portsmouth's home care agencies registered for learning disability care: 28 out of 59. Nationally it is 52%. 74% of rated specialist home care agencies here are Good or Outstanding (19 rated), below the England figure for the same specialism (89%). For all home care agencies in Portsmouth it is 77%. Specialist home care agencies rated Outstanding: 0. Rated below Good: 5.

9 of the specialist home care agencies have not been rated yet. In Portsmouth, 23% of care homes list this specialism with CQC (7 of 30), against 34% of care homes in England. Quality: 71% Good or Outstanding among the 7 rated specialist care homes, against 73% for every rated care homes in Portsmouth and 86% for this specialism nationally.

1 is registered nursing homes as well. They have 151 beds between them. 0 specialist care homes are rated Outstanding and 2 Requires improvement or Inadequate.

Source: CQC register (registered specialisms), Oct 2026.

Help from Portsmouth City Council

Attendance Allowance has no means test, and a direct payment (when the council is funding care) lets you hire a provider with relevant expertise. Who pays for care in Portsmouth.

Both follow an assessment of needs, which is free. Savings play no part in getting one; the test is whether day-to-day difficulties meet national eligibility rules. Asking for an assessment in Portsmouth.

Support beyond the council

Mencap Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111. Carers' service locally: Portsmouth Carers Service.

How to choose

Registration only shows a provider has declared this specialism to the regulator. It says nothing about staff experience, so ask: how many people with similar needs do you support now? What training do your carers get? Will we see the same few faces? What happens when someone becomes upset or says no? Finally, read the inspection report in full.

Other questions to put to each provider:

  • How do you reduce restrictive practices?
  • How do you support work, education, hobbies and relationships?
  • How do you follow "Right support, right care, right culture"?

What families ask

Can Portsmouth City Council pay towards learning disability care?

It can. Ask Portsmouth City Council to assess the person's needs; if they qualify and savings are less than £23,250, the council covers a share or all of the cost after checking income and capital.

How many care providers support those with a learning disability in Portsmouth?

The regulator lists 7 homes and 28 agencies locally with this specialism (Oct 2026). 71% of the inspected homes and 74% of inspected agencies reach Good or better.

Who can we call for advice?

Call 0808 808 1111 (Mencap Learning Disability Helpline).

More for Portsmouth

Provider details from the Care Quality Commission register, updated Oct 2026. Contains CQC data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is not a care provider.

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