Northern Healthcare
Northern Healthcare is a UK specialist provider of enhanced supported living services for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities, operating 19 sites across the North West, Yorkshire, Midlands and Cumbria under a five-pathway clinical model, funded by local authority and NHS commissioning contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersEccles, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Northern Healthcare does
Northern Healthcare is a specialist independent provider of enhanced supported living services for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities, headquartered in Eccles, Manchester. The company operates 19 service locations across four UK regions — North West England (10 sites), Yorkshire (4 sites), the Midlands (2 sites) and Cumbria (3 sites) — organised around a published 'Five Pathways Model' comprising Intensive Support (2–4 year 24/7 care for complex mental health), Discharge to Assess (6–12 week hospital step-down), 24/7 Enhanced Supported Living (12–24 months), Move-On Services (12–24 month transition to independence) and Outreach Services (community-based lighter-touch support). Northern Healthcare holds CQC 'Good' rating and Investors In People Silver accreditation, and was named a finalist at the LaingBuisson Awards 2025 and HealthInvestor Awards 2026.
The company generates revenue through managed services contracts commissioned by local authority social services departments, NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups under multi-year agreements, with referrals accepted via an online portal and dedicated commissioner/referrer pathways. It maintains B2B sales-led engagement with public sector buyers alongside community-led content marketing through an extensive blog, case studies, and an annual Northern Healthcare Awards programme. Strategic partners include the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, which provided debt finance in 2021 to support growth, and Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, with whom Northern Healthcare partnered on the 2025 opening of Saxon House. Recent leadership additions include CEO Nicola Forshaw (2024) and Clinical Development Director Dawn Fearn (2022). The company has no disclosed AI, software product, or proprietary technology platform beyond its clinical care model and a Service Finder web tool.
Northern Healthcare firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Northern Healthcare
- Legal name
- Northern Healthcare
- Website
- https://northernhealthcare.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Northern Healthcare is a UK specialist provider of enhanced supported living services for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities, operating 19 sites across the North West, Yorkshire, Midlands and Cumbria under a five-pathway clinical model, funded by local authority and NHS commissioning contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Northern Healthcare industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mental Health Supported Living
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Other Residential Care Facilities (62399)
- SIC
- Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)
Keywords
Where Northern Healthcare is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Eccles
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices20 records
Markets served
Northern Healthcare business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Supported Living Commissioning: Revenue is generated through government-funded contracts with local authorities, NHS trusts, and clinical commissioning groups who commission supported living services for individuals with mental health needs. Services are typically funded through social care budgets and health and social care partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Commissioned supported living services funded by public bodies |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Northern Healthcare product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Northern Healthcare operates 19 enhanced supported living services across North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and Cumbria, delivering 24/7 person-centred care for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities. Services are organised into five tailored pathways — Intensive Support, Discharge to Assess, 24/7 Enhanced Supported Living, Move-On Services, and Outreach Services — commissioned by local authorities, NHS trusts, and clinical commissioning groups.
Product overview
Northern Healthcare provides a unified portfolio of mental health supported living services organized into five interconnected pathways. The core offering includes Intensive Support (24/7 complex care for 2-4 years), Discharge to Assess (6-12 week hospital step-down), 24/7 Enhanced Supported Living (12-24 month independence support), Move-On Services (12-24 month transition to full independence), and Outreach Services (lighter-touch community-based support). These pathways are complemented by a Service Finder tool that helps users identify appropriate services based on their location and support requirements. The company operates 19 supported living locations across Cumbria, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and the North West regions of the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Intensive Support 24/7 supported living service for individuals with complex mental health needs, delivered in safe, therapeutic environments over a 2-4 year period. Focuses on recovery, long-term planning, and high-intensity clinical support. Commissioned by local authorities and NHS trusts.
- Discharge to Assess Structured 6-12 week temporary step-down service from hospital into safe, supported living, ensuring continuity of care, smooth transitions, and ongoing connection with local mental health teams. Commissioned by NHS trusts and CCGs to reduce delayed transfers of care.
- 24/7 Enhanced Supported Living 24/7 supported living service for people with long-term mental health conditions, helping them live safely and independently while pursuing personal goals over an average of 12-24 months. Delivered under a high-quality support model.
- Move-On Services 12-24 month transition service from more intensive care or inpatient settings to greater independence in the community. Provides personalised support with daily living, home safety, financial management, and engagement in education, work, or volunteering. Commissioned by local authorities.
- Outreach Services Home-based, lighter-touch mental health support delivered in the person's own accommodation, supporting individuals preparing to move toward full independence. Maintains high-quality, consistent support on a transitional basis.
Quantifiable outcome
- Discharge to Assess pathway designed for 6-12 week transitional support
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Northern Healthcare
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Northern Healthcare technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Northern Healthcare partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Northern Healthcare competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hft (Home Farm Trust): UK charity providing supported living and residential care primarily for people with learning disabilities. Operates a comparable multi-site, person-centred model commissioned by local authorities, directly comparable to Northern Healthcare's learning disability and complex needs services.
- United Response: National UK charity providing supported living and personal assistance for people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. Comparable service mix, commissioner base, and person-centred pathway structure.
- Dimensions: UK specialist provider of support for people with learning disabilities and autism, operating supported living and outreach services. Highly comparable to Northern Healthcare in target population, commissioning model, and multi-site regional delivery.
- Avenues Group: UK social care charity providing supported living and community support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs. Direct overlap in service model and local authority commissioning relationships.
- Turning Point: UK social enterprise delivering supported living, mental health, and learning disability services commissioned by local authorities and NHS bodies. Overlaps directly with Northern Healthcare's mental health supported living and discharge-to-assess pathways.
- Certitude: UK charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs through supported living and outreach. Comparable regional operating model and commissioning profile to Northern Healthcare.
- Lifeways: One of the UK's largest supported living providers, focused on people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs. Direct competitor for both residents and commissioner contracts across most of England.
- Voyage Care: One of the UK's largest specialist supported living and home care providers for people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. Direct competitor to Northern Healthcare's five-pathway supported living model across similar commissioner and resident segments.
Broad incumbents
- Priory Group: Large UK behavioural health and social care operator providing mental health hospitals, residential care, and supported living. Overlaps with Northern Healthcare on the mental health supported living side but operates as a much broader, vertically integrated incumbent.
- Cygnet Health Care: National provider of mental health hospitals, rehabilitation services, and supported living across the UK. Competes for NHS continuing healthcare and step-down commissioning relevant to Northern Healthcare's Discharge to Assess pathway, but at significantly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Northern Healthcare social profiles
Digital presenceNorthern Healthcare compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Northern Healthcare financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Northern Healthcare leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Northern Healthcare funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Northern Healthcare M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Northern Healthcare
What does Northern Healthcare do?
Northern Healthcare operates 19 enhanced supported living services across North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and Cumbria, delivering 24/7 person-centred care for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities. Services are organised into five tailored pathways — Intensive Support, Discharge to Assess, 24/7 Enhanced Supported Living, Move-On Services, and Outreach Services — commissioned by local authorities, NHS trusts, and clinical commissioning groups.
Is Northern Healthcare a public or private company?
Northern Healthcare is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Northern Healthcare founded?
Northern Healthcare was founded in 2013. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Northern Healthcare based?
Northern Healthcare is headquartered in Eccles, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Northern Healthcare make money?
One revenue line is on record: supported Living Commissioning.
Who are Northern Healthcare's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hft (Home Farm Trust), United Response, Dimensions, Avenues Group, Turning Point, Certitude, Lifeways and Voyage Care. Broad incumbents are Priory Group and Cygnet Health Care.
Does Northern Healthcare have an API?
No public API is recorded for Northern Healthcare.
What industry is Northern Healthcare in?
Northern Healthcare's product category is Mental Health Supported Living. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADABAI, Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support). Its NAICS code is 6232 and its SIC code is 8050.