What we do

Nu Start is a specialist children’s services provider delivering children’s residential care, crisis intervention and targeted support services for children and young people at times of risk, instability and transition.

Our work is rooted in frontline practice and informed by over 50 years of combined experience across children’s homes, leadership and senior management roles within the sector. We work alongside Local Authorities and partner agencies to provide safe, proportionate and therapeutic responses where complexity, risk or placement instability is present.

All support is tailored to the individual needs of the child or young person. We recognise that needs and risks can change over time, and our approach adapts accordingly — remaining child-centred, safeguarding-focused and outcome-driven.

Our services are delivered primarily across the North West of England, with capacity to work more widely where required.
If you would like to discuss the development of services further, please do not hesitate to contact us or email our Contracting Team.

Our Philosophy

Our purpose

Nu Start was established with a clear purpose: to give children and young people a fresh start at critical points in their lives. Children and young people entering our services often do so during periods of instability, uncertainty or heightened risk. They bring with them a wide range of experiences, needs and aspirations. Our role is to provide safe, structured and supportive environments that help stabilise situations, reduce risk and support positive change.

  • Children and young people should be safe from harm, supported to feel secure, and enabled to develop, thrive and fulfil their potential;

  • Each child or young person should be valued as an individual, with their strengths, abilities and aspirations recognised and nurtured over time;

  • Our approach to practice should foster positive, respectful and trusting relationships between children, young people and staff, supported by clear boundaries, consistency and partnership working;

  • Objectives across all services should be ambitious yet realistic, supporting learning, development and future opportunities through encouragement, structure and commitment;

  • Living and support environments should be nurturing and responsive to emotional, mental and physical health needs, including repairing earlier harm to self-esteem and supporting positive peer relationships;

  • Our services should be outward-facing, working collaboratively with Local Authorities, professionals, families and communities to promote stability, continuity and shared understanding;

  • Staff are expected to be committed team members, reflective practitioners and positive role models, supported through ongoing learning, supervision and professional development;

  • All services, including Children’s Homes, Nu Start One Support and Crisis Intervention Services, should provide safe, structured and supportive environments guided by our SMART framework;

  • All children and young people deserve a fresh start and the opportunity to reshape their future, delivered through anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice grounded in equality, diversity, respect and partnership.