A safe foundation for the move into adulthood.
Guided Heights Care was established with a clear vision: to provide high-quality, safe and supportive accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18, and to create nurturing environments where they feel safe, respected, valued and able to achieve their full potential.
Young people at a turning point
We support young people aged 16 to 18 who are looked after, care-experienced, homeless, vulnerable, or preparing for independent adulthood.
Many of the young people who come to us have experienced significant adversity: trauma, family breakdown, instability, exploitation, homelessness, or involvement with the care system. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is demanding for anyone. For a young person carrying that history, it takes consistent support, positive relationships and real opportunities to build practical skills.
Supported accommodation should provide more than somewhere to live. It should provide a foundation for growth, development and opportunity. That belief is why the organisation exists, and it shapes how every placement is planned.
Shared accommodation, floating support and self-contained studios across Greater London and surrounding areas
Partnership, structure, and named accountability
We work with local authorities, social care teams, education providers, health services and other agencies to deliver shared accommodation, floating support, and self-contained studios or flats.
A named person for every part of the service
The Nominated Individual holds strategic leadership and governance. The Registered Service Manager is responsible for day to day management, admissions decisions and safeguarding oversight, supported by a Deputy Service Manager, Senior Support Workers and Support Workers. Every young person is allocated a Key Worker who coordinates their support and is their consistent point of contact.
Staffed, trained and supervised
In our 24-hour units there is at least one staff member for every two young people during the day, and at least one member of staff on duty overnight with a waking night service. All staff undergo enhanced DBS checks with verified qualifications and at least two satisfactory references, receive supervision every six weeks, and are appraised annually.
Consistent practice, recorded and reviewed
Daily handovers, a computerised logbook and regular progress reports to the placing authority keep everyone informed. A full set of policies and procedures governs the running of the service, is reviewed to stay current, and is available at each provision and at our office.
The framework we work to
Regulated practice, not good intentions
- Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023
- Supported Accommodation Quality Standards
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Care Leavers Strategy
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Every Child Matters
- Equality Act 2010
The seven Quality Standards are embedded throughout our service delivery and underpin our policies, procedures and staff development.
Read our Quality StandardsWhat we are here to do
Seven commitments that shape every support plan, from the first week of a placement to the move into independent living.
Preparing young people for adulthood
A personalised life and social skills checklist is built with each young person, so the move towards independent living is planned rather than sudden.
Promoting independence
Young people are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their lives while receiving appropriate levels of support and safeguarding.
Safe accommodation
Accommodation that is safe, comfortable, well maintained and suitable for the individual needs of each young person.
Positive relationships
Family contact is facilitated where appropriate, and young people are supported to build healthy friendships and social networks in their community.
Building resilience
Stability, consistent support and positive role modelling help young people build confidence and increase resilience.
Education
We contribute to Personal Education Plans and keep strong communication with local colleges so support is consistent on both sides.
Employment
Support to access apprenticeships, training and work, including applications, CVs and interview practice, alongside employers and Jobcentre Plus.
Central to our ethos
These seven values are named in our Statement of Purpose and are the test we apply to decisions about young people.
Compassion
We recognise that many young people arriving with us have experienced adversity, trauma, family breakdown or exploitation, and we meet that with warmth rather than judgement.
Respect
Young people are treated as individuals with their own history, culture and ambitions, and staff work alongside them rather than doing things to them.
Dignity
Every young person has their own private bedroom, appropriately furnished and maintained to ensure privacy, dignity and personal space.
Inclusion
Discrimination on grounds of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, culture, race, language, religion, belief or sexual orientation is not tolerated, and interpreting services are provided where they are needed.
Empowerment
Young people are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own lives and to participate in developing their support plans and future goals.
Accountability
Concerns and complaints are welcomed from young people, professionals and visitors, taken seriously, investigated, and answered in writing.
Aspiration
We support young people to identify and achieve their own aspirations, not simply to maintain a placement.
The seven Quality Standards, in our own words
Guided Heights Care works to the Supported Accommodation Quality Standards set alongside the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. Here is what we commit to under each one.
- 01
Leadership and Management
Leaders and managers continuously monitor and improve service quality through effective governance, quality assurance, and feedback from young people and stakeholders.
- 02
Protection
Young people are protected from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation, criminal exploitation, county lines activity, and other safeguarding risks.
- 03
Support
Young people receive individualised support that promotes emotional wellbeing, physical health, education, employment, and life skills development.
- 04
Accommodation
Young people live in accommodation that is safe, comfortable, welcoming, and appropriate to their needs.
- 05
Positive Relationships
Young people develop and maintain positive relationships with family members, friends, professionals, and support networks where this is safe and appropriate.
- 06
Young People's Views, Wishes and Feelings
Young people are encouraged to express their views, wishes, and feelings and are supported to influence decisions affecting their lives.
- 07
Preparation for Adulthood
Young people are prepared for adulthood through structured independence programmes covering budgeting, cooking, tenancy management, health, employment, education, and community participation.
What a placement is working towards
Our approach is informed by the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the Care Leavers Strategy, Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Every Child Matters framework.
- Good physical, emotional and mental health
- Safety and protection from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation
- Education, training and employment opportunities
- Participation in decision-making and community involvement
- Financial capability and economic wellbeing
- Successful preparation for adulthood and independent living
Meet the team behind the service
Governance, safeguarding and day to day management sit with an experienced leadership team. Their full profiles, qualifications and experience are on our team page.
Meet Our TeamWant to learn more about how we work?
Reach out to our team for a conversation about placements or to find out more about our approach.