About Us – The Woodford Way

At Woodford, we believe children deserve more than standard models of care. That is why we do things the Woodford way — a distinctive approach shaped by our trauma and attachment model, our identity as an employee-owned social enterprise, and our commitment to reinvesting in lasting social value.

The Woodford Way means creating therapeutic homes where stability and relationships come first. It means supporting both children and staff, recognising that healing from trauma happens in safe, consistent relationships. It also means innovation — through our Academy of Learning and our membership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Therapeutic Communities, we lead the sector in raising standards of therapeutic childcare.

Doing it The Woodford Way is about staying true to our vision: protecting children from further harm, giving them the space to thrive, and reshaping the landscape of residential childcare for the future.

our Social mission

Woodford exists to change the narrative of children’s social care. Since 2019, we have been on a journey to operate as an employee-owned social enterprise, born out of our CEO’s vision to transform the landscape of residential childcare. Guided by our trauma and attachment model, we create homes and services where our mission is to support children to recover, grow, and thrive — reinvesting not in profit, but in lasting social value.

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Mission Statement

The primary task of Woodford Children’s Services is to provide a safe, stable, and emotionally containing environment where children and young people who have experienced trauma or disruption in their early lives can begin to develop the emotional capacity to live interdependently as young adults.

Through nurturing, developmentally informed, and relationship-based care—grounded in psychodynamic and systemic principles and enriched by an understanding of attachment needs—the homes seek to create a felt sense of safety, trust, and belonging.

By promoting secure attachments and providing consistent care and support, the service aims to strengthen identity, nurture hope, and support sustainable growth and meaningful change for each child and young person.

Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

Woodford is committed to ethical practice and safeguarding. We have zero tolerance for modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our organisation or supply chains.

We follow safer recruitment processes, work only with trusted suppliers, and ensure staff are trained to recognise and report concerns. Through our safeguarding and whistleblowing policies, we provide clear routes for raising issues in confidence.

Although not legally required, we publish this statement to demonstrate our commitment to protecting human rights and promoting transparency.

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