Male and female children's services solicitors by a table

Children’s Services

Supporting and protecting children and young people is a natural human instinct. Our children’s services specialists focus exclusively on this sector, advising businesses who support some of the most vulnerable in our society.

We’re truly passionate about the work we do in this area, keeping the objectives of our clients front of mind, along with the support they provide to the young people they work with.

Meet the team

View All

Supporting businesses

Businesses in the children’s services sector face many common challenges. We support clients looking to grow their business, either via acquisition or strategic growth of the existing business. This can include planning, development and property purchases as well as M&A and specialist financing advice.

If you’re looking to restructure, we’ll work with you to achieve your objectives whilst ensuring that the vital services you provide will continue uninterrupted. Much of this advice will focus on property and employees and our team includes experts in both these areas.

Over time, you may want to consider an exit from the business. We regularly advise on strategic exits, enabling succession planning and negotiating terms.

Our experience in the healthcare sector, particularly in relation to children’s services, means we often provide legal advice regarding safeguarding and OFSTED. Working closely with our colleagues in the HCR education team, we provide a seamless service to cover all issues providers may face.

Who we work with

Our clients come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have the same raison d’ȇtre – they are (or work with) businesses who provide critical support for children when they need it most.

Many are providers of children’s care in one form or another, including therapeutic, educational, or residential support. This includes independent fostering agencies (IFAs) as well as children’s nurseries and residential homes. We advise mid-sized regional firms as well as national providers on all aspects of running their healthcare business. Some clients are not-for-profit organisations, but many are backed by private equity firms. No matter the funding solution required, our banking and finance team is on hand to advise on a range of investment scenarios.

Recognition of our work

Legal updates and thought leadership

View All

Hear what our clients say about us

One CIC are grateful for the diligent and responsive approach taken by Syed Alam and the HCR Real Estate Healthcare team to ensure this assignment was handled in an efficient and timely manner.

Client Testimonial Supported living and specialist supported housing

Thank you so, so much to you and the team for completing this acquisition for us. It’s been such a surreal day and we really cannot thank you enough.

You have all truly made our dreams come true and we really cannot wait to work with you all again on the next project when that time comes. I have learned so much from you all, and it has put me in good stead going forward. We really could not have wished for a better solicitor team to have on our side.

Client Testimonial Supported living and specialist supported housing

The team at HCR have been close partners of Alina Homecare as we have grown from start up to become a multi-branch care organisation. They have provided timely, practical legal advice which has facilitated our strong growth over the last five years.

Client Testimonial Supported living and specialist supported housing

We have worked with the HCR team a good deal and have always found them extremely responsive and professional – this acquisition was no exception and we are looking forward to being able to extend our care provision and supplement existing services to residents and users.

Client Testimonial Supported living and specialist supported housing

A hands-on team, offering concise and commercial advice that is appropriate for the circumstances. Well-established client relationships with a reputation for offering a personal service at reasonable cost.

Client quote, Legal 500 2024 Supported living and specialist supported housing

We have a strong relationship with HCR and have welcomed the opportunity to broaden our portfolio, supporting more people with a home for life.

Client Testimonial Supported living and specialist supported housing

I am incredibly grateful to HCR Law, my solicitor Clare Emery and her fantastic team, including Motunrayo, Imran and Rhondda, for their exceptional support and expertise in helping me purchase my new dental practice. They guided me every step of the way, providing invaluable advice and ensuring that my best interests were always protected. I would like to specially thank Motunrayo for her instrumental role and unwavering support throughout the entire process, being prompt, responsive and patient in answering my questions, and keeping me informed at every step of the transaction. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking a knowledgeable and dedicated solicitor for their business ventures.

Client Purchase of a new dental practice

Following the acquisition of their first care home in South Wales, a transaction supported by Joe Mulrenan, Louise Crook and Rebecca Leask, clients Mr and Mrs S said: “Thank you so, so much to you all and your team for completing this acquisition for us. It’s been such a surreal day and we really cannot thank you enough.

“You all have truly made our dreams come true and we really cannot wait to work with you all again on the next project when that time comes.

“I have learnt so much from you all and it has put me in good stead going forward. We really could not have wished for a better solicitor team to have on our side.”

Care home acquisition with expert help

“Now that we have completed, can I thank you all for all the hard work and professional advice you have undertaken in dealing with my matter. Every dealing with your company has been done in a timely and pleasant manner and you have made the whole process very easy for me. I am so grateful that Henry recommended you and I would wholeheartedly recommend the team at HCR Law.” Harvey Cohen, Practice Principal, Trinity Dental.

Securing refinance for dental practise

Qess Ali’s commercial and focused approach helped to resolve complex property issues during the sale of a veterinary practice.

He handled negotiations with a third party landlord and the grant of a new lease, keeping up both communications and momentum and supporting his client throughout.

She was very appreciative of his diligence and support – Zubaida Javed said: “A massive thank you! The property side has had many complications with so many parties involved and throughout the process your support and guidance has been invaluable.”

Proactive approach resolved complex issues for vet’s practice

Bringing together health care and corporate expertise, Louise Crook and Peter Raybould advised National Care Group (NCG) on their acquisition of Shelton Care in Stoke-on-Trent, continuing their long-standing relationship with the group.

Shelton Care has multiple facilities in the Stoke-on-Trent area and last year generated more than £10m in revenue. For nearly 30 years they have been providers of residential and nursing care for adults with learning disabilities, autism and other associated support needs.

David Stanhope, Managing Director for NCG, said:

“Shelton Care has made a name for itself in care and education in Stoke. The services and support it provides and, most importantly, its person-centred ethos, fit well with the NCG philosophy. Our first priority is to ensure a seamless transition for service users during the integration period which we are confident will be achieved working closely with the dedicated team at Shelton Care.”

“This strategic acquisition continues our drive to expand NCG’s footprint and highlights our growing ability to provide person-centred care throughout the UK.”

Helping care group grow with new acquisition

Our health and social care team advised August Equity on their first bolt-on acquisition, with the purchase of two mixed dental practices in South Yorkshire.

August Equity are a private equity investor already established in the social care and veterinary sectors. This acquisition established August’s first platform for dental investments, Genesis Dental Care.

They said: “Having worked with Harrison Clark Rickerbys on several of our portfolio businesses, we remain very impressed with the professionalism and expertise within the team. In particular Charlotte Thornton-Smith and Clare Emery’s knowledge of the dental sector puts them at the forefront of any dental legal panel and we are delighted to be working with them on several of our acquisitions.”

Support for private equity investment in dental sector

How can we help you?

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.