Kent specialist learning disability group sold after 34-year ownership

Christie & Co has announced the sale of Insight Specialist Behavioural Service, a group of nine specialist learning disability care homes located in North Kent.

Established in 1991 by Lynda Cashford and Jackie Hales, Insight Specialist Behavioural Service is a dedicated service for adults with a learning disability and additional behaviours which challenge community services.

The group operates from nine freehold properties, which are owned by both the limited company and the owners personally – these are located in Minster-on-Sea, Sittingbourne, and Walderslade.

The business has established a strong reputation in the market, which is reinforced by the CQC reports across the homes – all rated either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’.

The owners recently decided to sell the properties in order to retire and, following a confidential sales process with John Harrison at Christie & Co, the group has been sold to Dillen Iyavoo, from Sussex-based, Pathway Healthcare for an undisclosed sum.

Cashford and Hales said: “It was a difficult decision to sell our business and it was important for us to find a buyer who will continue to operate it with the same values as us, particularly as other family members are still involved, so we are very pleased to have found a buyer in Dillen and his team who already have considerable experience and a good reputation in the specialist care sector.”

Iyavoo added: “We are delighted to have completed the purchase of Lynda and Jackie’s business, which has such a good reputation and complements our existing specialist care business in Sussex very well.

“We are excited to be involved in its next chapter now.”