Dorset has 12 learning disability care homes registered with the Care Quality Commission, 2 of them with nursing. Of the homes on this page, the CQC rates 11 Good. 1 home is not rated yet. Dorset council paid on average £1,254 a week for a residential care place and £1,282 for a nursing place for people aged 65 and over in 2024-2025 (GOV.UK adult social care finance report).
12on this list
Homes in Dorset are ordered by the MyCareCheck score, the average of the CQC's ratings for the five questions it asks at every inspection. Where two homes score the same, the better overall rating goes first.
Paying never changes a home's rating, score or place. Top places are only offered to homes rated Good or Outstanding and are always labelled.
How we rate care homes12 results
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Care home with nursing for 35 residents in Dorchester, run by Pebblestones Limited. Supports dementia, older people, learning disabilities, mental health, physical disabilities, sensory impairment and younger adults.
Fernside supports young adults with complex medical, physical and learning needs through Tailored Transitions’ home-from-home care model. Support starts from age 18 and is available around the clock, seven days a week, with an emphasis on independence and choice.
The service covers personal care, medication management and support with medical appointments.
Residential care home for 25 residents in Sturminster Newton, run by Achieve Together Limited. Supports learning disabilities and younger adults.
Residential care home for 20 residents in Dorchester, run by Park House Care (UK) Ltd. Supports dementia, older people, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment and younger adults.
Residential care home for 1 resident in Wimborne, run by Pogles Wood Ltd. Supports learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment and younger adults.
Residential care home for 7 residents in Sherborne, run by Encompass Care Organisation UK. Supports older people, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment and younger adults.
Inspected more than 4 years ago
Residential care home for 8 residents in Ferndown, run by The Gables Care Limited. Supports learning disabilities and younger adults.
Inspected more than 4 years ago
Two Wells supports adults with learning disabilities through residential care shaped around the whole person. The service sits within Achieve together, whose specialist support includes learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries and mental health needs.
Its Wheel of Engagement framework considers identity, wellbeing, relationships, aspirations and independence when planning support.
Inspected more than 4 years ago
Residential care home for 4 residents in Swanage, run by WALC Limited. Supports learning disabilities and younger adults.
Run by Salutem LD BidCo IV Limited
Mulberry Court, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, SP8 4REMulberry Court delivers residential support through Salutem Care and Education for people with varied care needs. Its registered scope includes older people, younger adults, children and people with learning, physical or sensory disabilities. Salutem’s adult services also cover autism, mental health and complex needs.
Support plans focus on personal goals and aspirations, with adult services covering people aged 18 to 65 and above.
Inspected more than 4 years ago
Verwood House Care Home offers residential, nursing, dementia, respite and end of life care in a smaller home beside Bugdens Meadows Nature Reserve. The setting serves older people from Verwood and the wider Dorset area, with calm surroundings and access to landscaped gardens and lifestyle facilities.
The Homemaker model places relationship-led support within daily life, while the home also provides a café, salon and restaurant-style dining.
Run by Encompass Care Organisation UK
Encombe, 5 Prince Of Wales Road, Dorchester, DT1 1PWInspected more than 4 years ago
Encompass Care provides residential respite and short breaks for adults and young people with learning disabilities, complex additional needs, physical disabilities or mental illness. Its Dorchester service offers comfortable accommodation and personalised care for up to eight individuals, with support shaped around personal needs, preferences and aspirations.
The wider service includes domiciliary care, supported living, community outreach and…
Communication methods matched to the person’s preferences and needs.
Support for independence, relationships, work, education and community life.
Positive behaviour support and clear safeguarding arrangements.
Good learning disability support should be person-centred, promote choice and help people maintain skills and community connections. Ask how communication and decision-making are adapted for each resident.
12 learning disability care homes in Dorset are on the CQC register (data of 2 November 2026).
Dorset council paid on average £1,254 a week for residential care and £1,282 for nursing care for people aged 65 and over in 2024-2025. For adults aged 18 to 64 it paid £2,742 and £1,667. Across England the averages were £982 and £1,102 for people aged 65 and over. People who pay for their own care are often charged more, so ask each home for its weekly fee.
Ordered by the MyCareCheck score: the average of the five CQC key-question ratings (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led) on a 0 to 10 scale, where Outstanding is 10, Good 8, Requires improvement 5 and Inadequate 2. Homes the CQC has not rated yet come last. No home is left out because of its rating.
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