The Opening of Orchid House
🏡 Orchid House Opening Soon! 🌷We’re proud to share the exciting news that p . . .
In a charming Nottinghamshire village, The Croft is designed for up to 3 children.
“A beautiful home in a peaceful rural village on the Nottinghamshire-Leicestershire border, ideal for young people.”
Member of staff at NCC
Nestled in an idyllic rural village on the border of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, The Croft is one of six specialist children's residential care homes operated by Footsteps to Futures. Opened in August 2024, The Croft provides a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment for up to three children, aged 7 to 18 years.
Set in a calm and peaceful location, the home is surrounded by nature and offers a serene setting that supports emotional healing and personal growth. The Croft’s beautiful, welcoming property includes a large front garden, modern kitchen, cosy lounge, spacious dining room (which also serves as a study space), a modern bathroom, and a separate utility room — all designed to create a warm and homely atmosphere where young people can feel safe, valued, and truly at home.
The Croft supports mixed-gender placements and specialises in working with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Our highly trained team includes specialist staff and psychological services, allowing us to provide personalised, trauma-informed care tailored to each child’s needs. We focus on consistency, compassion, and a genuinely therapeutic approach to care.
In our most recent Ofsted inspection, The Croft was rated “Good” in all areas, reflecting our commitment to high-quality care, safety, and positive outcomes for the young people we support.
At the heart of The Croft is our diverse, fun, and passionate team, who are dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships and creating a space where every child can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging.
As The Croft continues to grow, we’re always looking to welcome friendly, committed individuals who share our vision and values to join our team and help make a difference.
Coming from a large, busy family surrounded by young people, I developed a passion from an early age to work with children, particularly those who have experienced difficult childhoods, supporting them to achieve their goals and lead happy, fulfilling lives. I have now been in the care industry for 11 years, during which time I have built extensive knowledge, skills, and experience across a variety of settings. I began my career completing my Level 2 and 3 in Childcare at sixth form, alongside gaining valuable experience in schools and nurseries. I then progressed into working with children and adults with special needs, which was a eye-opening experience that strengthened my ability to communicate with and understand individuals who may struggle to express their feelings. This role deepened my passion and commitment to care. I later joined Footsteps to Futures, where I quickly progressed from Residential Care Worker to Deputy Manager while completing my Level 5 in Leadership and Management. During my five years there, I developed both professionally and personally within a nurturing and supportive environment. Although I took the opportunity to broaden my experience in a larger home and further develop my management skills, I was drawn back to Footsteps to Futures, returning in September 2025 as the Registered Manager of The Croft - a role I am incredibly proud of.
My main focus as a manager is to provide a safe, therapeutic, and nurturing environment where children are truly at the center of their care. I am passionate about supporting young people in their day to day lives while promoting independence and preparing them for their futures. I consistently advocate for each child, ensuring their views, wishes, and feelings are heard and respected. What I find most rewarding is witnessing the progress young people make, no matter how small, but knowing the Croft has played a part in helping them feel safe, valued, and supported.
The Croft holds a special place in my heart, it is more than just a home, it is a warm, loving environment where children can thrive. I am fortunate to work alongside an incredible team who are passionate, dedicated, and committed to making a difference. They bring energy, compassion, and positivity into the home every day, and it is an honor to lead and be part of such a strong team. Alongside my professional experience, I remain committed to my own development, having completed a degree in Professional Studies in Childhood and Youth, as well as a qualification in Counselling Skills. I continue to seek opportunities to grow and enhance my knowledge to ensure I can provide the highest standard of care and support to those I work with to support them with progressing within their role also.
Bernice C.
Registered Manager at The Croft
Read our latest Ofsted report for The Croft . For more information, please contact our Head Office on 0115 8417267 or by emailing [email protected]
Read latest Ofsted ReportFootsteps to Futures are a proud partner of The Harley Jae Trust Children’s Charity; supporting children with life limiting conditions and their families both in the hospital and in the community.
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