Home care · Central Bedfordshire
Learning disability care at home in Sandy
Learning disability care is offered by 15 of the 24 home care agencies covering Sandy. Of the 10 CQC has rated, 100% are Good or Outstanding (versus 89% for learning disability care across England). 2 hold an Outstanding rating. Our estimate of typical fees here: about £33.50 an hour for visiting care and £1,610 a week for live-in careestimated. 3 home care agencies were last rated more than four years ago and 2 registered since October 2024. Most recently, Creative Support - Bedford Services was rated Outstanding on 24 September 2025.
Data: the CQC register, updated 27 October 2026, under the Open Government Licence
In short
- 10 of the 10 rated agencies are Good or Outstanding, with 5 not yet rated.
- For dementia support, 10 have it on their CQC registration.
- New and changed CQC ratings across Central Bedfordshire, updated every day.
- A care needs assessment from Central Bedfordshire council is free, and your savings do not affect it.
Cite this: The Care Panel, "Learning disability care at home in Sandy", analysis of the CQC register, Oct 2026.
- 15agencies registered with CQC
- 100%of rated services are Good or Outstanding
- 10support people with dementia
- 2inspected or rated since October 2024
Ranked providers of learning disability care
Highest CQC rating first; ties go to the more recent rating, then the nearer provider. How the list is ordered
- All 24
- Elderly care · 19
- Physical disability care · 19
- Care for adults under 65 · 19
- Dementia care · 15
- Learning disability care · 15
- Mental health care · 13
- Sensory impairment care · 13
- Supported living · 10
- Children's care · 6
| # | Agency | CQC rating | Last rated | Office | Other specialisms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creative Support - Bedford Services | Sep 2025 | 6.9 miles | 5 | |
| 2 | Knightingles Healthcare Bedfordshire Limited | Oct 2024 | 3.4 miles | 5 | |
| 3 | Quality Support Solutions Limited | Aug 2025 | 5.5 miles | 4 | |
| 4 | Elite Care Services Limited | Mar 2024 | 5.3 miles | 5 | |
| 5 | Edmar Recruitment Services Ltd | Jun 2023 | 5.4 miles | 7 | |
| 6 | Mears Care - St Neots | Feb 2022 | 5.4 miles | 9 | |
| 7 | Macadamia Support | Jul 2022 | 6.0 miles | 5 | |
| 8 | Care Support Bedford Branch | Jun 2024 | 6.3 miles | 5 | |
| 9 | Walkers Close | Feb 2024 | 6.6 miles | 0 | |
| 10 | Mobelle Home Care Limited | Apr 2020 | 1.0 miles | 4 | |
| 11 | Cherish Social Care Ltd Cambridge | Not yet rated | – | 5.2 miles | 4 |
| 12 | Autism Bedfordshire | Not yet rated | – | 5.4 miles | 1 |
| 13 | Baobab Social Care Ltd | Not yet rated | – | 5.4 miles | 7 |
| 14 | Gella Care Services Ltd | Not yet rated | – | 6.4 miles | 6 |
| 15 | Clarity Care Providers Ltd | Not yet rated | – | 6.7 miles | 5 |
The full list for learning disability care covering Sandy: sorted by CQC rating and rating date, then distance from the town centre.
Learning disability care in Sandy: what the data shows
15 of the 24 agencies covering Sandy are registered with CQC for learning disability care (63%). England-wide, 89% of agencies registered for learning disability care are Good or Outstanding and here it is 100% (above England, in line with the 100% for all agencies in the town).
For learning disability care, the top rated agencies are Creative Support - Bedford Services, Knightingles Healthcare Bedfordshire Limited and Quality Support Solutions Limited. 2 have a rating from the past two years. Oldest: April 2020. Newest: September 2025. 1 is based within 2 miles of the centre of Sandy. 5 have no rating yet; new registrations usually wait for a first inspection.
Central Bedfordshire as a whole has 23 agencies registered for learning disability care; 82% of the rated ones are Good or Outstanding. Share registered for learning disability care: 63% here, 40% across Central Bedfordshire.
Typical prices in the East of England: about £33.50 an hour for weekday visits (evenings and weekends cost more) and around £1,610 a week for live-in care. How we estimate costs.
About learning disability care
The goal is simple to state: adults with a learning disability get support to lead the lives they want. In practice that can mean building everyday skills, going to health appointments, finding work or a course, and keeping up friendships. The best services put the person's own wishes first and follow the CQC guidance known as "Right support, right care, right culture".
Questions worth asking about learning disability care
- How do you support work, education, hobbies and relationships?
- How do you choose staff who match the person?
- What happens if the person wants to change their support?
- How do you reduce restrictive practices?
- How do you support communication, including Easy Read or Makaton?
Helpline: Mencap Learning Disability Helpline, 0808 808 1111. Central Bedfordshire: learning disability care.
Learning disability care around Sandy
| Place | How far | Agencies | Rated Good or Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy | – | 15 | 10 |
| Potton | 3.3 mi | 4 | 3 |
| Biggleswade | 3.5 mi | 4 | 3 |
| St Neots | 6.4 mi | 7 | 3 |
| Shefford | 7.0 mi | 27 | 21 |
| Bedford | 7.1 mi | 36 | 23 |
| Kempston | 8.8 mi | 38 | 24 |
Council help
Central Bedfordshire
Savings under £23,250? Central Bedfordshire council may help with the cost, and its care needs assessment is free for everyone.
How to ask for an assessment, paying for care and direct payments in Central Bedfordshire
Free · by email
Free care cost report for Sandy
- Typical local prices for home care, overnight and live-in care
- What the council and the NHS may pay, with the 2026/27 savings limits
- The best-rated services near you, from the CQC register
What families want to know about learning disability care in Sandy
How many agencies in Sandy offer learning disability care?
Learning disability care is a registered specialism for 15 of the 24 agencies that have an office within 7 miles of Sandy (CQC register, Oct 2026). Among the highest rated are Creative Support - Bedford Services, Knightingles Healthcare Bedfordshire Limited and Quality Support Solutions Limited.
What CQC ratings do home care agencies in Sandy have?
Of the 10 that have been rated, 10 (100%) are rated Good or Outstanding, with 2 Outstanding. Newly registered services often have no rating yet; 5 here are still unrated.
What are typical home care prices in Sandy?
Typical 2026 prices across England: visiting care around £32–£34 an hour; live-in care around £1,540–£1,610 a week. Hourly rates vary between agencies more than between regions; ask each agency for its full price list, including weekend and bank holiday rates. Homecare Association figure for 2026/27: a sustainable council rate for home care in England starts at £34.42 an hour. Source: Lottie Care Index, Q3 2026. Read the full cost guide.
Will Central Bedfordshire council pay for home care?
It can. Step one is the needs assessment: Central Bedfordshire council cannot charge for it and must offer it to every person who seems to need support (Care Act 2014). If your savings and investments come to under £23,250, it may then contribute following a financial assessment, depending on income, and for care in your own home the property is left out. Separately, Attendance Allowance has no means test. Getting in touch with Central Bedfordshire council.
What should I look for when choosing agencies in Sandy?
Three questions matter most once you have read the latest CQC report: will the staff be consistent, what is the plan for missed visits, and what is the total cost before signing? On dates, 2 of the 15 listed had an inspection or rating within the last two years. Older reports: 8. A checklist to help.
How does Sandy compare with nearby towns for learning disability care?
Nearest towns we cover: Potton (3.3 miles): 4, 3 rated Good or Outstanding; Biggleswade (3.5 miles): 4, 3 rated Good or Outstanding; St Neots (6.4 miles): 7, 3 rated Good or Outstanding. Sandy itself has 15, 10 of them Good or Outstanding.
Short on time? We'll pass on your request.
One short form is all it takes: featured partners and a maximum of three rated providers in the Sandy area who work with us will email you directly.
Other towns near Sandy
- Learning disability care in Potton 3.3 mi
- Learning disability care in Biggleswade 3.5 mi
- Learning disability care in St Neots 6.4 mi
- Learning disability care in Shefford 7.0 mi
- Learning disability care in Bedford 7.1 mi
- Learning disability care in Kempston 8.8 mi
- Learning disability care in Lower Stondon 9.0 mi
- Learning disability care in Papworth Everard 10.9 mi
Also in Sandy, and guides
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Register information from CQC as at Oct 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0 applies. We do not deliver care ourselves.