Hammond House · Colchester, Essex
Every child moves forward one stone at a time.
A three-bed therapeutic home for children aged 7 to 17. Small enough that every child is known, clinician-led so that staff understand what they're seeing.
Small steps. Held steady.
What we offer
One home. Three children. No exceptions.
Hammond House is deliberately small. Three beds means adult attention that doesn't have to be rationed — and staff who know exactly who they're caring for.
Residential care
A family home over three floors in Berechurch, with a garden, a mindfulness room and an activity space. Ages 7–17, all genders.
See the home →
Clinician-led therapy
A Forensic Psychologist directs each treatment plan. A consultant Psychotherapist supervises the staff team every month.
Our model →
Preparing to move on
Life skills, financial literacy and a wraparound plan for adulthood. Key workers stay involved past 16, in line with the Pathway Plan.
How it works →
Our approach
Behaviour is information, not a problem to suppress
Our practice rests on unconditional positive regard — the child's worth doesn't move, whatever the behaviour does. These four commitments follow from that.
Prevention before restraint
Staff are PRICE-trained and de-escalate first. Restraint is a last resort, always least-restrictive, always debriefed with the child.
Clinical thinking in daily life
Therapy isn't an appointment. Monthly reflective practice means the team understands the child at 3am, not just in review meetings.
An honest match
Our psychotherapist reviews every referral. If we're not the right home, we say so before a placement breaks down — not after.
Progress the child can see
We use Outcome Star, so young people map their own journey and recognise cause and effect for themselves.
Beyond the house
Equestrian therapy in Epping Forest
Sessions run at Amesbury Mead Farm in Chingford with a British Horse Society Stage Two instructor with over ten years' experience working with children with behavioural difficulties and autism.
Children ride in a controlled arena and take forest trails. For many, bonding with a horse becomes the first safe route into self-expression.
Confidence and regulation
Structured, calm, sensory-rich — the horse responds honestly, which children find easier to trust than adults at first.
Health and fitness
A personal trainer and qualified nutritionist lead physical health, with body MOTs feeding into LAC nurse health assessments.
Referrals
Have a child who needs a placement?
Our placement team, registered manager and psychotherapist review every referral together. You'll get a straight answer about whether Hammond House is the right home.
We answer every referral, including the ones we can't take. You'll never be left waiting on a maybe.
Careers
The job is hard. So is the reason we do it.
We fund your Level 4 or Level 5 Diploma after probation, train everyone in PACE and trauma-informed practice, and put a clinical supervisor in the room every month. Experience helps. Steadiness matters more.