Herefordshire children’s homes firm acquired in £10m deal

CLIFFORD House, the Herefordshire-based provider of specialist children’s homes across the West Midlands, has been acquired in a £10m deal.

Stockport-based Advanced Childcare, which manages children’s homes for local councils, has bought the Luston company in its first major acquisition since it changed hands for £28m in March.

It is now owned by private equity firm GI Partners and this deal is expected to add £5.5m to Advanced Childcare’s turnover, set to top £20m this year.

The firm works with more than 40 local authorities and employs around 360 people while Clifford House’s portfolio comprises 13 residential homes, with 46 beds, and a school with 20 places.

The acquisition of Clifford House expands Advanced Childcare’s home portfolio by 35% to 49 homes with 200 places.

The transaction was funded by capital from GI Partners Fund III.

Riz Khan, Advanced Childcare’s founder and chief executive, said: “Clifford House will enable us to build deeper partnerships with local authorities to meet their increasing need for locally-based children’s homes which can deliver better outcomes for more complex young people at lower cost.

“Clifford House is a key hub for further expansion into the South East and other geographies. We are excited to combine with their expertise to meet growing local authority demand for innovative childcare services in their local area.”