Children's residential care · West Lancashire
Every young person deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they can feel secure, build confidence and begin to look forward to what comes next.
We provide warm, supportive homes for children and young people aged 8 to 16, with dedicated care tailored to each individual. Our experienced team focuses on building trusting relationships, creating stability and giving every young person the support they need to grow and move towards a brighter future.
About us
The Olive Branch Care Services was founded by a team with many years of experience across children’s residential care, nursing, health and social care. Having worked at every level, from providing day-to-day support to young people through to managing residential homes, we understand what good care looks like and, more importantly, how it should feel for the young people we support.
We believe every child deserves a safe, stable and nurturing place to call home — somewhere they feel valued, listened to and respected. Our homes are warm, welcoming and family-like, creating an environment where young people can feel secure, build confidence and develop a positive outlook for the future.
Many of the young people who come to live with us have experienced trauma, loss or difficult relationships. We take a trauma-informed approach to care, recognising that every child’s experiences are different. Our approach is informed by the PACE model — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy — helping us build relationships based on safety, trust and understanding.
Alongside the warmth and personal care we provide, we have a strong framework of policies, safeguarding procedures, regular quality checks and clear accountability to our Board of Directors. This ensures that our approach is not only caring and compassionate, but consistent, responsible and focused on delivering high standards of care.
Our aim is simple: to provide the strong foundations young people need to feel safe today, build confidence and look forward to a brighter future.
Our core values
Helping every child discover their strengths, develop life skills, access education and pursue their aspirations.
Providing a warm, safe and homely environment where children can build trusting relationships and experience stability, belonging and joy.
Being honest, accountable, respectful and consistent, and always doing what is right for the children in our care.
Listening to children, respecting their views and choices, and making sure they have a real say in decisions about their lives and futures.
Taking time to understand each child’s experiences, feelings and needs, and responding with patience, compassion and kindness.
Our commitmentEvery child deserves to feel safe, be heard, be cared for and believe in their future.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our Home Manager brings many years of experience across health and social care and children’s residential care. Keeping young people safe is at the heart of their role: recognising concerns, acting on them quickly and working closely with social workers and other professionals.
Having progressed through roles including Residential Support Worker, Team Leader and Senior Team Leader, they have a genuine understanding of what it takes to create a safe, stable and supportive home.
At the heart of their work is a genuine commitment to helping young people feel safe, valued and listened to. They believe that building trust takes time, patience and consistency, and that the small moments of care and encouragement can make a lasting difference.
As Home Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead, they lead the team with a caring, calm and relationship-focused approach, creating a home where young people can be themselves, develop confidence and build strong foundations for their future.
Complaints Coordinator & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our Deputy Manager brings over 20 years of nursing experience, alongside valuable experience in children’s residential care. Safeguarding, wellbeing and safe, compassionate care have always been at the heart of their work.
This experience has given them a strong understanding of how to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and make sure people feel safe, listened to and protected. They bring this knowledge into our home every day.
They believe that every young person deserves to feel safe, respected and genuinely cared for. They take the time to get to know each young person as an individual, building relationships through trust, patience and consistency.
As Complaints Coordinator and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, they are committed to creating a warm, welcoming and secure home where young people feel comfortable speaking openly, know that their voice matters and can build confidence for the future.
They lead a caring and committed team made up of a Senior Team Leader, Team Leader, Residential Support Workers and Waking Night Support Workers.
Every member of the team is safely recruited and receives regular supervision, guidance and ongoing support. We invest in our staff so they feel confident, valued and well equipped to provide consistent, nurturing care to the young people who live with us.
Our homes and care
Because each of our homes supports just one child or young person, we can give them the time, attention and consistency they deserve. We take the time to understand who they are, what they need and what matters to them, allowing us to shape their care around them as an individual.
From their routines and interests to their relationships, wellbeing and goals for the future, our support is tailored to help each young person feel safe, settled and understood. Our aim is to create a home where they can be themselves, build confidence and develop strong foundations for a brighter future.
We support children and young people aged 8 to 16, of all genders, who need a safe, stable and nurturing place to call home.
Many of the young people we welcome may have experienced trauma, loss, neglect, abuse or changes in family circumstances. Some may need additional support with their emotional wellbeing, relationships, behaviour or education.
We understand that every young person is different. Some may find it difficult to manage big emotions, build trusting relationships or feel confident in themselves. Others may need support with boundaries, education or adjusting to a new environment.
We can support young people with a range of needs, including:
We take the time to understand each young person’s experiences, strengths and individual needs. Our approach is focused on building trust, creating stability and helping them develop the confidence and skills they need for the future.
We understand that every placement is different. Whether a young person needs somewhere safe during a crisis, an emergency placement or a longer-term home, we provide a calm and supportive environment from the moment they arrive.
A safe and stable home during a period of crisis or uncertainty. We provide immediate support while working with the placing authority and wider professional network to understand the young person’s needs and help establish the right plan for their future. An interim placement plan is put in place within 24 hours.
When a young person needs somewhere safe at short notice, we can provide a responsive and supportive environment. We assess their needs and risks from the outset and work quickly to put the right care and support in place.
A stable and nurturing home for as long as the young person needs it. We take the time to understand their needs, build trusting relationships and create a consistent care plan that supports their development and future. Wherever possible, an Individual Placement Plan is agreed within five working days.
Our homes are ordinary family houses in quiet residential areas, designed to feel warm, comfortable and welcoming. Each young person has their own bedroom and bathroom, with shared family-style meals, routines and everyday experiences that help create a sense of belonging.
Keeping young people safe is at the heart of everything we do. Each young person has an individual risk assessment and placement plan, tailored to their needs and circumstances. Our staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and are committed to creating an environment where young people feel safe, listened to and protected. Physical intervention is only ever considered as a last resort and in line with appropriate guidance and procedures.
Every young person has their own key worker who takes the time to build a trusting relationship with them. Through regular one-to-one time, they listen to their wishes and feelings, understand what matters to them and support them to take part in activities they enjoy.
We believe education is an important part of building confidence and creating opportunities for the future. We work closely with schools, Virtual Schools and, where needed, tutors to help each young person engage with education, make progress and feel proud of their achievements.
We support each young person to look after their physical and emotional wellbeing. This includes registering with a GP, dentist and optician, supporting them to attend appointments and helping them access additional services, such as CAMHS, when appropriate.
Relationships matter. We support young people to maintain safe and meaningful connections with the people who are important to them, wherever this is appropriate. We also help them develop confidence, independence and the everyday skills they will need as they grow and prepare for adulthood.
Olive House is a warm and welcoming family home in a quiet residential area of West Lancashire. The home is close to local schools, health services, public transport, parks and leisure facilities, giving young people opportunities to become part of their local community and enjoy the things that interest them.
The home is designed to provide a comfortable, settled environment where a young person can feel safe and at home. To protect the privacy and safety of the children and young people we care for, we do not publish the address of our homes.
Olive House is more than somewhere to live. It is a place where a young person can feel secure, build trusting relationships, enjoy everyday family life and begin to build stronger foundations for a brighter future.
Careers
Working with young people is about more than a job. It’s about being someone they can trust, encouraging them when things feel difficult and helping them build confidence for the future.
We’re always keen to hear from caring, patient and reliable people who want to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. Experience in residential childcare is welcome, but it isn’t essential. What matters most to us is your values, your attitude and your commitment to providing safe, nurturing care. We’ll provide the training, guidance and support you need to grow in your role.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. All roles are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including an enhanced DBS check with barred list, a full employment history and appropriate references.
We take the responsibility of caring for young people seriously and are committed to ensuring that everyone who joins our team shares that commitment.
Be a consistent, caring presence in the young person's day: supporting routines, school, activities and key work, and keeping clear records.
Days and sleep-insKeep the home safe and calm overnight, support the young person if they need you, and complete night checks and handovers.
NightsLead and support the team across day and night shifts, working closely with the Deputy Manager to keep standards of care high.
Days and nightsLead shifts with confidence, make sure staffing is right, and help the team give care that follows each child's plans.
Days, with on-callWe believe our staff need the right knowledge, skills and confidence to provide the best possible care.
All team members receive a thorough programme of training when they join us, covering the key areas needed to support young people safely and effectively. Training is regularly refreshed and updated, with ongoing learning throughout their time with us.
We also provide additional training and guidance when a young person has specific needs, making sure the whole team understands how best to support them.
Alongside formal training, our staff receive regular supervision, guidance and support from experienced managers. We want our team to feel confident in their roles, supported in their development and able to keep growing their skills throughout their career with us.
To apply or find out more, please send your CV to careers@the-olive-branch.uk and let us know which role interests you. We would love to hear from you.
For placing authorities
We welcome referrals from local authority placement and commissioning teams for 28-day crisis, emergency and long-term placements.
Because each of our homes supports just one child or young person, we take the time to carefully consider every referral. Our priority is to make sure we can safely meet the young person’s needs and provide an environment where they can feel secure, supported and able to settle.
Please email the referral and any supporting information to management@
Our management team carefully reviews the Care Plan, risk assessments and relevant background information. We consider the young person’s individual needs, circumstances and the support they require, alongside whether our home and team are the right fit.
We aim to respond promptly and will speak with the young person’s social worker if we need any further information. We’ll be open and clear throughout the process.
Once a placement is agreed, we work with the young person, their family, social worker and IRO to develop a clear Placement Plan. For crisis placements, an interim plan is put in place within 24 hours. For other placements, we aim to agree the plan within five working days wherever possible.
We welcome referrals for children and young people who are looked after under the following legal arrangements, subject to assessment and matching.
The more we know, the better we can plan for the child. Please share as much of the following as you can; anything outstanding can follow later.
Safeguarding and complaints
Keeping children safe is at the heart of everything we do, and it is everyone's responsibility. All staff are trained in safeguarding to at least Level 3, and it is discussed at every team meeting and supervision, and in the Home Manager's monthly report to the Directors.
Home Manager
management@
07337 505 276
Anyone involved in the care or protection of a child can ask us for a copy of our Child Protection and Behaviour Management policies.
Deputy Manager
management@
07337 505 276
Children, families and professionals can raise a concern with us at any time and ask for a copy of our complaints policy. Nobody will be treated unfairly for making a complaint.
Contact
We are always happy to talk. For referrals, general enquiries or to request our Statement of Purpose and policies, please contact our management team. For job enquiries, please email our careers team.
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999. If you have a safeguarding concern about a child in Lancashire, please contact Lancashire Children's Social Care.
Privacy notice
Last updated: 23/09/2026
The Olive Branch Care Services provides children's residential care in West Lancashire. We are the controller of the personal information described in this notice, which means we decide how it is used and are responsible for keeping it safe.
If you have any questions about this notice or your information, contact us at management@the-olive-branch.uk or on 07337 505 276.
Our website does not use cookies, analytics or tracking tools, and it has no forms that collect your details. Like all websites, the company that hosts our site may keep basic technical logs, such as your IP address and the pages you visited, to keep the site secure and working. Our website's fonts are provided by Google Fonts, so your browser connects to Google's servers to load them, which shares your IP address with Google.
We only collect personal information when you contact us or when we need it to provide care. This includes:
Some of this is special category or criminal offence information, such as health details or DBS check results. We take extra care with it and only use it where the law allows.
We only share information when we need to, and only what is necessary. This may include:
We never sell personal information or use it for marketing.
Paper records are kept locked away, and electronic records are protected by passwords and access controls. Only staff who need information to do their job can see it, and all staff are trained in data protection and confidentiality.
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
Some of these rights do not apply where we must keep records by law, for example children's case records. To use any of your rights, email management@the-olive-branch.uk. We will reply within one month.
If you are unhappy with how we have used your information, please contact us first so we can put it right. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or on 0303 123 1113.
We review this notice every year, or sooner if the way we use information changes. The date at the top shows when it was last updated.
← Back to the websiteEquality statement
The Olive Branch Care Services is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for every child, member of staff and visitor. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, whatever their background or characteristics.
Our approach is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010, the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and the Human Rights Act 1998. We protect against discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Every child is valued as an individual. We celebrate difference and support children to understand, respect and value diversity in themselves and others. Each child's plan takes full account of their cultural, religious, linguistic and identity needs, and no child is treated less favourably because of who they are.
Recruitment, training, supervision and progression decisions are made fairly and solely on merit and suitability to work with children. All staff receive equality, diversity and inclusion training during induction, with regular refreshers, and are supported to raise concerns about discrimination without fear of reprisal.
Any incident of discrimination, harassment or victimisation, whether by a member of staff, a child, a visitor or anyone else, is taken seriously, recorded and dealt with promptly. Our full Equality and Diversity Policy is available on request from management@the-olive-branch.uk.
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