Our Children’s Homes
Sanctuary 16
Sanctuary 16 provides 24 hour, therapeutically informed care for children and young people aged 8 to 18 with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Each home is small, based in Surrey, registered with Ofsted and led by a registered manager who knows every child by name, story and goal.
We accept referrals only from local authority Children’s Social Care, and work closely with social workers, Independent Reviewing Officers, schools, health professionals and, where right for the child, their families.
Our Therapeutic Model
Our care is trauma informed and relationship centred. It promotes holistic development, inspires creativity and play, empowers children to make informed decisions and encourages active participation in society. We see behaviour as a survival strategy in response to threat and danger, and we apply connection before correction.
Every child has two keyworkers and a personalised package of one to one coaching and support. Children can access one to one therapy through our partner therapist, up to three times a week depending on the child’s needs and the commissioned package, after an initial assessment about three weeks in. Progress is reviewed with the Outcomes Star every six months, and staff attend reflective practice at least monthly, supported by our partner therapist.
Our Home Environment
A trauma informed approach begins with the environment. Our homes are modern, comfortable and aspirational, so children feel safe, valued and invested in. Each home has a therapeutic room with art materials, sensory lighting and quiet space, and a study area for learning.
Our Care Approach
Stabilise
Every child must be safe, secure and cared for. The settling in period is usually planned over about three months, with a welcome pack, predictable routines and consistent adults.
Strengthen
We work with partners and communities to equip children with the tools to make safer, informed choices, build skills and address their needs.
Transition
We turn life experiences into leadership qualities, helping children move from pain to purpose and prepare to move on to somewhere new, with a book of progress to take with them.
Accommodation
Every child has their own bedroom, which they are supported to personalise, and shares a kitchen, dining room, lounge, study space and garden. There is no staff sleeping accommodation: at least two practitioners are on duty day and night, and night staff are awake throughout.
Children's Voice & Participation
Children help shape their homes through monthly house meetings, key work, placement planning meetings, Personal Education Plan meetings and their statutory reviews. Children who prefer not to attend a review complete a “My thoughts” booklet so their wishes and feelings are heard.
Every child knows how to make a complaint, how to get an independent advocate, and how to contact Ofsted, Childline and the Children’s Commissioner.
Health & Wellbeing
Where possible children stay with the same GP, dentist, optician and Looked After Children nurse, to keep changes to a minimum. Our wellness group and one to one sessions include yoga, jogging and meditation, and a trained first aider is on every shift.
We celebrate each child’s identity, culture and faith, and support them to practise their religion or to hold no belief.
Education & Development
Many children come to us after disrupted education. We work with schools, Virtual School Heads and the professional network, offer one to one tutoring from qualified teachers, review Personal Education Plans termly and, where possible, support a return to mainstream school or college.
Our ethos is “It’s not where you started. It’s where you finish.” We help children use their strengths in safe, legal and rewarding ways, whether that means starting a small business or working towards a job they once thought out of reach.
Safeguarding & Protection
Safeguarding runs through everything we do. Every child has an individual risk assessment, behaviour support plan and crisis management plan. All staff complete safer recruitment checks, safeguarding training and accredited PMVA training with a yearly refresher.
Our homes are not secure children’s homes. Concerns are shared promptly with the placing authority, the LADO and Ofsted as required.
Admissions & Matching
We only offer a placement when we are confident we can meet a child’s needs and keep everyone in the home safe. The registered manager reviews each referral and completes an impact assessment for the children already living there.
Wherever possible the child visits first, and where there is time we invite them for lunch or dinner and, where appropriate, a sleepover before they move in.
Leadership and Governance
Sanctuary 16 is led by Cherie Johnson, Managing Director, who has spent more than a decade supporting children and young women affected by exploitation and serious violence. Maureen Ghilchrist is our Responsible Individual. She has over 40 years of experience in social care, specialising in children’s homes, and provides oversight of the quality of care and our compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. Each home is led by a registered manager.