Meet the Team

At Orchard Therapeutic Care, our people make the difference. Every member of our team is dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing environment where young people feel valued and supported. We bring together a mix of skills, experiences and personalities – but we’re united by one mission: to help every young person build confidence and prepare for independence.

Director and Nominated Individual: Ludivine Parmentier

As Founder & CEO of Orchard Therapeutic, Ludivine brings a wealth of experience to both the Supported Accommodation and Alternative Education Provision offering a joined-up and holistic approach. She has a Masters in Strategic Leadership in Care and Education, and is a trauma informed practitioner, and a fully qualified teacher.

“What makes our team unique is how we work with young people. We don’t just provide support – we involve them in decisions, listen to their views, and adapt our approach to their needs. Together, we create a place where independence can grow."

Registered Manager: Renata Czechowicz

Renata leads our Supported Accommodation service with warmth and determination. She believes that every young person has tremendous potential, and that a difficult start in life should never define their future. With years of experience in social care, she is passionate about trauma-informed practice and creating homes where young people feel respected, safe and encouraged to achieve.

“With the right support in place, young people can overcome obstacles and go on to achieve amazing things.”

Support Workers

Our Support Workers are the people young residents see every day. They:

Help with daily routines, meals and appointments
Provide one-to-one support sessions and goal planning
Encourage education, training and personal growth
Listen, guide and advocate for young people’s needs
Keep everything running smoothly and safely at home

Our Wider Team

Behind the scenes, we also have:

Therapeutic Specialists – trained in counselling, wellbeing and trauma-informed care
Education & Skills Coordinators – linking young people with learning opportunities, training and work experience (including at Orchard Therapeutic Farm)
In-House Maintenance Team – ensuring every home is safe, comfortable and welcoming

They are more than staff – they are trusted adults who walk alongside young people, offering guidance without judgement.

Staffing Structure

Our staffing structure includes core head office functions such as safeguarding, operations, accounts, HR, procurement, and compliance. Additionally, we have maintenance teams and field staff dedicated to each of our supported living projects, ensuring localised and personalised services. Our satellite office supports specific areas to further enhance our reach and effectiveness.

Diverse Backgrounds

We recruit staff from a variety of backgrounds, including charities, prison, probation, social services, youth work, education, and care sectors. Our team members share a common goal of relating to young people, offering support, safeguarding, and helping them raise their aspirations.

Safer Recruitment Policy

Our recruitment team follows a stringent ‘safer recruitment’ policy with robust procedures, including enhanced DBS checks renewed every three years, to ensure the safety and suitability of our staff.

Staff Training

Commitment to Excellence

Our induction training is comprehensive, ensuring that all team members are fully equipped to deliver the highest standard of care from the very beginning. The COVID-19 pandemic has led us to adapt how we deliver this training, now conducted virtually via Zoom by industry experts.

Ongoing Development

Throughout the year, our staff participate in ongoing training programmes to enhance their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest best practices. All staff are enrolled in the “Care Skills Academy,” which offers a range of CPD-accredited courses essential for meeting the needs of our young people. Courses include:

Safeguarding Children
Health and Safety
First Aid
GDPR
Managing Challenging Behaviour
Safer Caring and Allegations
Recording and Evidencing
Equality and Diversity
Working with Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASC)
Independent Living Skills
Self-harm and Ligature Awareness
Drugs and Alcohol Awareness
ADHD and Autism Awareness
Mental Health
Internet Safety

Specialised Training:

We also deliver specific safeguarding training on topics like ‘Prevent’ (vulnerability to radicalisation/terrorism), child sexual exploitation (CSE), child criminal exploitation (CCE), and trafficking, led by our Safeguarding Lead, who has vast experience from their role as a DCI in the Police force. Additional bespoke training is identified through regular supervision and tailored to the special needs of the young people we support, such as attachment disorders and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Practical Experience

Before being allocated shifts, staff must complete at least two ‘shadow shifts’ with an experienced staff member. This allows young people to provide feedback on staff suitability.

Comprehensive Support:

We provide comprehensive support to our staff, including regular supervision, access to resources, and opportunities for professional growth. This ensures that they have everything they need to perform their roles effectively and confidently.

Focused Work Plans:

Our staff work plans are directly related to placement plan outcomes, ensuring that all activities and support are aligned with the goals and needs of the young people in our care.

At Orchard Therapeutic Care, you can trust that our dedicated staff are not only compliant with industry standards but are also continually striving to improve their skills and knowledge, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those we support.