Child care, children’s services and fostering agencies

We have extensive experience in acting in the sales and acquisitions of nurseries, specialist schools, children’s homes and fostering agencies. We can work with you and your professional team to plan and structure your transaction, anticipate potential obstacles and manage timescales to meet your expectations.

If you are refinancing, our experienced team can help with the legal work required. We are familiar with most of the major UK banks and understand what they will need and how to meet their requirements quickly and cost-effectively.

We advise on all aspects of property acquisition, refurbishment and development from planning to implementation.

Our team can help with all aspects of your relationship with OFSTED including registration advice, inspection reports and complaints. This includes managing safeguarding concerns and investigations.

We understand that the regulation of your business by OFSTED requires effective management and recruitment of your staff. Our extensive knowledge of the regulatory system within which you operate assists us in providing clear, practical advice in relation to:

• Recruitment and retention
• Compliance with the National Minimum / Living Wage
• Suspending staff and taking disciplinary action
• Whistleblowing and safeguarding investigations
• Disclosure and Barring Service referrals
• Managing sickness absence and poor performance
• Grievance and discrimination investigations
• Business immigration
• TUPE advice on the sale or purchase of a business or on the re-tender of local authority funded contracts
• Employment contracts for care staff and Registered Managers
• Policies and staff handbooks for care staff
• HR training

We offer dispute resolution services tailored to the child care sector including fee disputes, defamation and business owners and internal disputes.