Feedback
What people say about us.
The young people who live with us, the inspectors who visit, and the professionals who work alongside our teams.
Judge us on what others say.
Every quote on this page was said or written by someone else - a young person, an Ofsted inspector, an independent Regulation 44 visitor, or someone working alongside one of our homes. None of it was written by us.
The Regulation 44 visits behind those quotes are carried out by Grahams Consultants, an external social care consultancy, so the visitor is independent of this organisation and of the day-to-day running of the homes. They visit each home at least once a month, may arrive unannounced, and report to the registered manager, our Responsible Individual, placing authorities and Ofsted.
Every operating Guidance Care home is registered with Ofsted, inspected under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework and required to comply with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. Ofsted publishes each home’s report in full on its own site. We give a dated summary and the URN for every home, so the official record can be found. Current judgements are listed on Our Homes.
“This home has fought for me like I’m there only child.
The team have helped me to become more independent and well mannered and behaved. If I could say one good thing it would be that this is the best care home I have ever been in.”
From published Ofsted reports.
These extracts come from published Ofsted inspection reports. Bracketed wording has been adapted to retain anonymity. Each extract describes the inspection it came from; current judgements are listed on Our Homes.
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“I thought it was just going to be another care home where the staff are not bothered about you, but it’s not like that here.”
A child living in a Guidance Care homeOfsted inspection report, March 2025 -
“[A child’s] progress is because of the positive and safe relationships they have with staff.”
A child’s social workerOfsted inspection report, November 2024 -
“Children have trusting and secure relationships with staff who know them well and put their wellbeing as a priority.”
Ofsted inspectorInspection report, February 2026 -
“Staff have an exceptional understanding of how children’s feelings and experiences underpin their behaviours.”
Ofsted inspectorInspection report, March 2025
Quotations contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
What the professionals around our young people say
Feedback from professionals who work alongside our homes. Roles and organisations are shown as recorded in the supplied collection; original dates were not recorded. Home names are included where the collection identifies them.
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“The staff are always supportive and communicate regularly with school. It is clear when spending anytime around the Young People and the team that they have good relationships, and the Young People feel cared for.”
TeacherMontgomery High School · Oakwood House -
“There is a genuine affection for our children in the home from the director to all staff members.”
Quality assurance visitBlackpool Council -
“The team are all extremely professional, pleasant, and communicative. They always ensure that they are available for meetings or conversations.”
Social workerBlackpool -
“Staff are good role models and advocates for the young people who reside at Oakwood House.”
Social workerBlackpool · Oakwood House -
“Their input into educational planning is especially valued. They communicate effectively and approach the child’s needs holistically.”
Education DiversityOakwood House -
“Staff are very pro-active and always have the young person’s best interest at the heart of everything they do.”
Social workerLancashire
“I would wholeheartedly recommend this team for their professionalism, dedication, and ongoing support.”
“Their enthusiasm and commitment to professional development are evident and commendable.”
“No you are all fabulous! Thanks for all your hard work.”
Working together, in their words.
Dated feedback on partnership working, individual support and relationships. Where a visitor’s professional role was not recorded, we identify them as a visitor.
“The stability that has been offered has really helped with my care planning for [the young person].”
Social worker, Bolton Council Bracketed wording replaces a child’s initial. The source does not identify the home.
“Staff always respond promptly when school contacts for support with student. Attend all meetings and work with us as a team to ensure needs of the child are met.”
School professionalAbbey House · School partnership feedback from an author who had not visited the home.
“Approach with the young person was very person-centred. The skills folder and education folder that have been put together to support the young person were very comprehensive and tailored to support them.”
Visitor feedbackConiston House · “The staff are all amazing and they all form really good relationships with the young people.”
Visitor feedbackHambleton House ·
Independent Regulation 44 visits.
Regulation 44 visits provide independent monitoring of children’s homes, separate from Ofsted inspections. These dated extracts describe the visit they came from; they are not Ofsted judgements.
“Notably, the areas in which the home excels include its strong understanding of the children’s emotional health and wellbeing, as well as its proactive and protective approach to advocacy when exploring and securing appropriate support.”
Regulation 44 visitorAbbey House · “Overall, the home provides a safe, nurturing environment where the children’s social and emotional needs are actively supported, their relationships are prioritised, and opportunities for independence and personal growth are promoted.”
Regulation 44 visitorWillow House · “The home is encouraging and supporting the young people to choose and engage in various activities, adventures and learn new skills.”
Regulation 44 visitorConiston House · “Home is very well presented, well-lit, homely and is furnished and well decorated.”
Regulation 44 visitorDarwen House ·
Contact us or make a referral.
Talk to our referral team about whether one of our homes is the right fit for a young person you are placing. Our referral line is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and we take planned placements only.