By Chris Roberts, Head of Property, One Home Care UK Ltd
Over the past year, I’ve been deeply involved in acquiring, designing, and adapting eight properties for children in care. Every decision, from selecting the ideal property to choosing the smallest interior detail, has been made carefully, thoughtfully, and always with the children’s best interests at heart. Yet, despite being closely involved in every stage of this process, I’ve never once stepped foot into one of our children’s homes after we’ve completed the purchase.
And I never will.
The reason is simple yet powerful: because it’s their home, not mine.
Think about it for a moment. Would you feel comfortable if someone walked into your home unannounced or without invitation? Probably not. Our homes represent safety, familiarity, and personal space, places where we can truly be ourselves. The children we care for deserve exactly the same respect.
This might seem unusual to some, especially given my role, but respecting boundaries is foundational to what we do at One Home Care. My job isn’t to impose my presence into the lives of the children we support. Instead, my responsibility is to create the best possible environment for them to thrive, grow, and feel safe.
In truth, most of my learning and understanding of what makes these homes truly special hasn’t come from being inside them, but rather from the amazing team I work alongside. I listen to the heartfelt conversations in the office about what’s truly important to children, what’s unnecessary, and what best practices look like. These daily discussions have deeply informed my perspective and helped shape the philosophy behind One Home Care.
I’ve learnt so much from our dedicated team, people who are tirelessly committed to making our homes nurturing spaces filled with care and respect. They’re the ones who transform each property from simply being a building into a place where children genuinely feel like they belong.
One of our core beliefs at One Home Care is that our children’s homes should never feel like workplaces, clinical environments, or places designed primarily for inspection. For the children who live there, these homes are where they eat, sleep, grow, and create lasting memories. Every child deserves a home that’s secure, comforting, and truly personal.
Everything we do at One Home Care begins with honouring that fundamental sense of home:
- We design properties around children’s needs. Every detail, from sensory spaces for relaxation and development, to subtle security adaptations, and thoughtful personal touches, is carefully considered with the children at the centre of our decisions.
- We create authentic homes, not institutions or facilities. Our aim is always to ensure the children feel comfortable, secure, and valued. This means taking care to choose furnishings, decorations, and layouts that feel warm and welcoming rather than sterile or institutional.
- We empower our teams to lead. We trust our staff implicitly because they’re the ones who spend every day with the children. Their dedication, compassion, and insights shape every aspect of how the home operates, creating a genuine sense of family.
I will never claim to be an expert in every aspect of children’s care. It’s a complex, constantly evolving field, and I’m continually learning. But what I can promise is that I’ll always strive to provide the highest standard of homes possible, guided by our exceptional team.
The pride I feel about One Home Care doesn’t come from physically standing in one of our homes. Instead, it stems from knowing deep down that the children living inside these walls truly feel they have a place to call their own, a place where they genuinely belong.
About the Author:
Chris Roberts is the Head of Property of One Home Care, dedicated to creating safe, nurturing, and personalised residential environments for children in care. With extensive experience in property development and management, Chris Roberts is committed to reshaping the experience of residential care, prioritising respect, compassion, and genuine care.
