Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse

SIC 87200Section Q: Human health and social work activities|Data verified: 2026-04-17
7,918Active Companies
Section Q: Human health and social work activities
Division 87
SIC 87200

What is SIC Code 87200?

SIC code 87200 classifies businesses engaged in residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse. There are 7,918 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. It falls under Section Q (Human health and social work activities) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse industry page.

7,918
Active
6
Dissolved
9,222
Total
5.4y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 86% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 6 of 9,222 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age of 5.4 years suggests a relatively young and dynamic sector, with many businesses having been established in recent years. Growth has been exceptional recently: 71% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 20%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER — together account for just 19% of the sector.

Formation by Decade
20%
71%
Pre-1990: 68
1990s: 151
2000s: 439
2010s: 1,618
2020s: 5,642

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 87200

What does SIC code 87200 mean?

SIC code 87200 stands for "Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section Q — Human health and social work activities. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 87200?

There are currently 7,918 active companies registered under SIC code 87200 in the UK, out of 9,222 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 86%, meaning 14% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 87200 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse companies (SIC 87200) are: LONDON (1,040), BIRMINGHAM (311), MANCHESTER (191), NOTTINGHAM (145), LEICESTER (123). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 71% of currently active SIC 87200 companies were formed since 2020, and 20% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 87200?

Companies classified under SIC 87200 have an average age of 5.4 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include ROYAL MENCAP SOCIETY, ST ANDREW'S HEALTHCARE, TOGETHER FOR MENTAL WELLBEING.

What SIC codes are similar to 87200?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 87900 (Other residential care activities n.e.c.), 87300 (Residential care activities for the elderly and disabled), 87100 (Residential nursing care facilities). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 87200?

You can search for companies with SIC code 87200 (Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 87200

Search, filter, and analyse 7,918 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.