All about Apple Orchard
Who we are
Apple Orchard was established over 20 years ago with a clear mission: to provide high-quality, therapeutic residential care and education for young people with complex needs. From our beginnings as a single home, we have grown into a trusted and respected provider supporting boys aged 12–18 across several sites in the South of England.
Throughout our history, we have remained committed to creating safe, stable environments where young people can recover from trauma, re-engage with learning, and move forward with confidence.
Our Approach
At Apple Orchard, we provide a therapeutic environment where young people feel safe, understood, and supported. Our approach is rooted in trauma-informed care and built on strong, trusting relationships. Many of the young people who come to us have experienced significant emotional challenges, often due to early-life trauma, attachment difficulties, or disruption. We don’t just respond to behaviour — we take time to understand each individual’s story and provide the consistent care they need to begin healing and building confidence.
Our dedicated team is trained in a range of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioural strategies, attachment theory, and restorative practice. Every young person has a personalised care and education plan tailored to their needs, helping them to develop emotional regulation, build resilience, and make positive choices. We combine structure with empathy, ensuring each young person has clear boundaries, meaningful routines, and the opportunity to experience success — both in and out of the classroom.
We believe that progress takes time, patience, and the right support. That’s why we focus on long-term, sustainable change, supporting each young person to overcome challenges and develop the skills they need for the future. Through consistent adult support, therapeutic care, and a focus on emotional wellbeing, we help young people move from crisis to stability — and from survival to growth.
Our in-house education provision offers personalised learning that helps young people re-engage with education and reach their potential. We create individual learning plans tailored to each young person’s needs, helping them to achieve academic and vocational qualifications, build self-esteem, and develop practical life skills.
We celebrate progress in all forms – whether it’s academic achievement, improved behaviour, or a new-found confidence in learning.
We aim to equip young people with the tools they need for a successful transition into adulthood. This includes support with emotional wellbeing, social development, independence skills, and planning for the future.
Therapeutic input is woven into daily life through structured sessions, key working, and consistent adult support. Our experienced staff use a range of evidence-based techniques, including cognitive behavioural and attachment-focused approaches, to meet the individual needs of each young person.
We believe relationships are the foundation for change. Our team builds strong, respectful connections with young people, offering encouragement, understanding, and a consistent presence. This helps to create a sense of belonging, stability, and hope for the future.
At Apple Orchard, we don’t just care for young people – we help them rediscover their potential.
Careers at
Apple Orchard
Working at Apple Orchard means making a real difference in the lives of young people who need support, stability, and care. We are always looking for dedicated, compassionate individuals who are committed to helping young people overcome challenges and achieve their potential.
Whether you’re an experienced residential care worker, teacher, therapist, or just beginning your career in the sector, we provide a supportive working environment with opportunities for growth, training, and professional development. Our teams are made up of people who are resilient, patient, and passionate about helping others — and we invest in our staff just as we invest in the young people we care for.
If you’re looking for a rewarding role where no two days are the same, and where your work truly matters, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Careers page to view current vacancies and learn more about what it’s like to be part of the Apple Orchard team.
Part of the Polaris Community
As one of the largest providers of children’s services and the very first provider of independent fostering in the UK, our community of services span the length and breadth of the whole of the UK.
We provide an extensive range of children’s services, which have grown and developed over our 30+ year history to ensure we can support children across a wide range of needs. By combining our community’s wide scale of services, as well as our local links, we’re transforming the future of children and children’s services.
The Polaris Community has a united commitment to measure and maximise our social value; defining it as ‘The positive emotional, environmental and economic impact we have on the Polaris community and wider society’. This includes opportunities we offer staff and our children and young people, but also how we work with suppliers, create job and training opportunities and our impact on the environment.