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Set amidst the peaceful countryside of East Sussex, Crouch Farmhouse is a nurturing, therapeutic home for young people.
Set amidst the peaceful countryside of East Sussex, Crouch Farmhouse is a nurturing, therapeutic home for young people aged 7 to 18 with learning disabilities and complex needs. More than just a place to live, Crouch Farmhouse is a family—a safe and supportive environment where children can feel secure, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Our purpose-built, five-bedded home is located on 11 acres of beautiful rural land, shared with Headstart School. While the home operates independently, its proximity to the school allows for seamless collaboration between care and education teams—particularly beneficial for young people who face challenges transitioning into school life.
A Unique Therapeutic Setting
Children at Crouch Farmhouse benefit from:
Our approach is rooted in a comprehensive therapeutic model. We support children—primarily those on the autistic spectrum—with a team that includes a clinical psychologist, occupational therapist, behaviour analyst, speech and language therapist, and Thrive practitioner. This multidisciplinary team works closely with our staff to ensure every child’s emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs are met.
Personalised Care and Empowerment
Every child is unique, and so is their care. Each child has their own bespoke bedroom, bathroom and living area coupled with a shared kitchen, large lounge, and garden. We begin with thorough assessments to create bespoke care plans tailored to each young person’s needs, preferences, and aspirations. Our dedicated staff—many with extensive experience in childcare—receive ongoing training, including in-house sessions led by our therapeutic team, to ensure the highest standards of care.
Our approach is rooted in an integrated therapeutic model. We support children—primarily those on the autistic spectrum—with a team that includes a clinical psychologist (trainee), occupational therapist, behaviour analyst, speech and language therapist, and Thrive practitioner. This multidisciplinary team works closely with our staff to ensure every child’s emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs are met.
The values of the Crouch Farmhouse echo the values of Headstart Residential Care, which are:
These values are interwoven into the home’s daily life through our Integrated, therapeutic therapies, and our specialised staff team
Children receive comprehensive, therapeutic, health support, including:
Each Headstart home is led by a dedicated management team who bring warmth, experience, and stability to daily life. Our Registered Manager and Deputy Manager work closely with staff to provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where young people can feel secure, supported, and encouraged to thrive.
Registered Manager (Crouch)
Deputy Manager (Crouch)
The Crouch Farmhouse fosters positive, respectful relationships between staff and children. Behaviour is managed through:
Staff apply the PACE model—Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy—to build trust and support emotional well-being.
PBS techniques help encourage positive choices and reduce challenging behaviours through consistency and reinforcement.
All staff are trained in PRICE methods, using calm de-escalation and safe intervention when necessary.
We use restorative practices and natural consequences to promote reflection, responsibility, and reconciliation.
A clear zero-tolerance stance ensures every child feels safe, respected, and free from harm.
Children are encouraged to maintain family contact and take part in community life to build a sense of belonging.
Led by Registered Manager Emma and Deputy Manager, Mia, the team includes experienced and qualified staff with diverse backgrounds. Staff receive:
All placements are carefully matched and planned. The home prioritises:
At Bridge House, our policies are in place to ensure the highest standards of care, safety and accountability. You can find key documents below for reference.
Our Statement of Purpose outlines the aims, objectives, and ethos of each Headstart Residential home, detailing how we provide consistent, high-quality care and support for every young person.
This document is available upon request.
Request a copyOur homes are registered with Ofsted and regularly inspected to ensure we maintain the highest standards of care and safeguarding.
Copies of our most recent Ofsted reports are available upon request.
Request a copy