I've worked for Footsteps for nearly three years. Throughout my time, I have been supported through my Level 4 Diploma, progressed from RSW to Senior RSW and have always felt valued and listened to as an employee. I would thoroughly recommend working for Footsteps. – Senior (2025)
Thank you all for your professionalism and excellent work with this young man – I know it has not been an easy ride but you have enabled a smooth transition which he will benefit from when he looks back on his journey and reflects – he has so many good memories and positive times from Roundy! – Social Worker (2025)
Managers and staff prioritise children's education. The children living in the home have both struggled to attend school. Managers and staff work closely with educational professionals to ensure that children are supported in line with their needs. When children cannot access formal education, staff provide educational opportunities in the home. The children enjoy learning and developing essential skills for their future. – Ofsted June 2025
Our Story
Footsteps was founded with a simple but powerful belief that children and young people deserve more than just a place to stay, they deserve a place to belong.
Our Director, Charlotte Davies, created Footsteps after witnessing too many homes prioritising numbers over nurture. The "heads on beds" approach had lost sight of what really matters: people. She set out to build something different; a service grounded in compassion, integrity, and genuine care.
At Footsteps, leadership is about values, not titles. We stand firm on ours:
Trustworthy - we know the impact of our decisions
Fair - We balance individuality
Supportive - we recognise our privileged position
Honest - we value transparency
These values guide every interaction, every decision, and every step we take toward brighter futures.
Footsteps is not driven by profit, it's driven by purpose. Everything we do is about creating a better future for our young people, our teams, and our wider community. When we invest in others, we all move forward together.
Come rain or shine, we strive to achieve together, to protect, support the wellbeing and invest in everyone under our umbrella.
Our vision is simple: To be the footsteps that guide you to a brighter future.
Since 2011, Footsteps has been providing consistent, values-driven care. Our senior leadership team brings over 50 years of hands-on experience in residential care, and we've walked the same floors our teams walk today. Most of us began our journeys as Residential Support Workers, which means we don't just lead, we understand.
We're deliberately small by design, with one Director who knows every home, every staff member, and every young person. We believe in being present, visible, and connected. Our senior team visits each home multiple times a week, not just to check in, but to listen, support, and work alongside our teams.
Main areas of our focus
Therapeutic setting
A therapeutic environment creates a space where young people can process their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. We find that it enhances both Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence.
When children feel supported, valued, and understood in their environment, their self-esteem and self-confidence are positively impacted.
We can help support children and young people who have dealt with trauma, abuse or any other kind of severe disruption prior to being placed in our care.
Continuing Education
Many of the young people placed with us have experienced significant disruption to their education and may not be accessing full-time mainstream schooling at the point of placement. We work closely with education providers, professionals, and families to ensure that every young person remains engaged in education wherever possible.
Where appropriate, young people complete AQA Unit Award Scheme units to support learning, build knowledge, and evidence progress. These awards are used not only for academic purposes, but also to recognise the development of independence, practical life skills, and personal achievement.
We actively promote regular educational engagement and always aim to increase educational hours, or work towards full-time provision where a young person is on a part-time timetable. We strongly advocate for young people to ensure they receive the education, support, and opportunities they are entitled to.
Some young people have gone on to achieve GCSEs and progress into further education or training linked to their chosen career pathways. We support each young person to work towards positive outcomes that reflect their individual abilities, interests, and aspirations.
Activities, Hobbies & Interests
All young people have an individual weekly planner, which they are supported to help create. These plans are tailored to each young person and offer a varied programme of hobbies, interests, and activities based on their preferences and goals.
We actively promote regular physical activity to support young people's health, wellbeing, and emotional regulation. Alongside this, we place a strong focus on developing key life skills that will support young people in everyday life and prepare them for adulthood, such as swimming and riding a bike.
Young people are supported to take part in meaningful daily activities, which also help to build positive, trusting relationships with members of the staff team. We believe activities are about more than simply keeping busy; they play a vital role in learning, development, and long-term outcomes.
Footsteps a Path to Change 08 Ltd
Landmark House, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 7BS
mailbox@footsteps.im