Godfrey Care were delighted to see one of our services highlighted as an example of good practice in co-production as part of the 2025 Spring Survey report recently published by Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).

This year’s survey paints a picture of the challenges and opportunities for adult social care, emphasising that “co-production is vital because it centres on the views of those who actually use care and support, ensuring services reflect real needs rather than assumptions.”

Reporting on the progress made by local authorities, the Spring Survey featured a case study on the success of Derbyshire County Council in tailoring a unique residential  care service in collaboration with Godfrey Care. The individual has highly complex needs which needed an all-encompassing approach. A shining example of genuine co-production, the process brought together input from Godfrey Care’s support team and PBS team, Derbyshire County Council’s Integrated Care Board, social workers, case managers and, most importantly, the individual and his family.

In the Spring Survey Report, Derbyshire County Council described the work involved in creating a bespoke environment at the Godfrey Care service in Tibshelf:

“The team around Lesley* have been actively engaged in designing and building a home that is right for them. We have developed a sound understanding of what good looks like and have built a culture that embeds the values of co-production. Starting with a sensory assessment, the floor plans of Lesley’s home have been designed by their family, current and future provider, health and social care. The family have shared they have ‘felt empowered from the very beginning’, that ‘every single person is valued’ and it’s the cumulation ‘of so many people adding their bits in that make the whole’. We know that the more engaged people can be with the commissioning process, the higher the satisfaction rates are with the services that are provided.”

*name was changed for the report.

Commenting on the success of the service, a member of the commissioning team at Derbyshire County Council said:

“I wanted to express a huge thank you to everyone involved for being so committed to doing things differently! We are where we are because everyone has got on board and contributed to making a home that is right for [Lesley]. I am sure there will be more learning that we will take from this experience and that as a system, we will continue to grow to ensure that we are creating the best possible outcomes for people to be able to live their best lives in the community.”

ADASS Vice President, Phil Holmes, commented:

“It’s great that ADASS have shone a light on co-production in the Spring Survey and good to see the progress that councils have made. Co-production isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential. When we codesign and co-produce with people who draw on care and support we’re far more likely to get it right first time for our residents, improving results for them and improving use of resources for our organisations. There is some brilliant practice out there. Focused attention on creating strong local conditions for co-production will pay for itself many times over and ADASS is keen to help councils learn from each other and build on the foundations that are already in place.”

The words that Godfrey Care are most pleased to hear came from [Lesley’s] parents, Angela and Richard. Angela commented on the report:

“It’s great that [Lesley’s] case study has been used and really shows the importance of co- production. Richard and I feel very privileged to be working alongside some very passionate people who have our son’s best interest at heart. It means so much that everyone is working together to provide [Lesley] with a great environment . Whilst using the skills of the current provider staff to transition their best practices across to Godfrey care staff. I’m sure we will have learning curves from [Lesley] along the way, but working together , we will reduce any impacts on all involved.”

Co-production is embedded in Godfrey Care’s unique model of care and support for people of the most complex, high-acuity needs. We collaborate with local authorities across the Midlands to develop bespoke living spaces and support, empowering individuals to thrive and enjoy fulfilling lives on their terms.

We’re proud of our role in supporting the progress of [Lesley] and many other individuals across our services. It’s our passion and our mission to build futures together.

Godfrey Care unveiled our latest specialist residential service with an Open Day at Waverley House in Alfreton! It was wonderful to hear such positive feedback from families and care professionals about the six self-contained living spaces we have purpose-built for young people with complex, high acuity needs.

We’re incredibly proud of the collective achievement at Waverley House – the realisation of months of collaboration between all parties involved in the provision of care.

Back in 2024, when Godfrey Care’s senior leadership visited the site of a former elderly care home in Alfreton to assess its feasibility for redevelopment, we instantly recognised its enormous potential for use as a complex care service. The two-acre grounds offered ample space for outdoor activities and, with all accommodation on the ground floor, the property could be configured into various self-contained homes each enjoying its own private garden. With other residential properties nearby, it also provided a community-based setting which promoted social and community inclusion.

Godfrey Care contacted the commissioning team at Derbyshire County Council to discuss the opportunity to create a new specialist complex care service and identify a cohort of people who could live and thrive there.  Derbyshire County Council identified various individuals who are all working-age adults with the most complex, high acuity needs that would benefit from the bespoke service proposed by Godfrey Care within the spacious environment provided by the site.  Soon afterwards, Godfrey Care acquired the site for development and began the process of planning the service, with bespoke built environments backed 24/7 by a multidisciplinary team with the specialist training and skillset to support the individuals living there.

Co-production

Fully committed to the project from the outset, Derbyshire County Council shared Godfrey Care’s vision of Waverley House as an opportunity for genuine co-production between all parties involved in the provision of care. From day one, the process involved input from Derbyshire County Council, the Integrated Care Board, social workers, case managers, current care providers, Godfrey Care’s Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) team and its senior leadership team. However, the most important input came from the individuals’ families who were at the heart of the service’s planning and development, empowered as a leading voice shaping its design and specification.

Godfrey Care’s architect produced an initial concept, drawing on the senior team’s deep experience in developing successful specialist settings. This early design was submitted to Derbyshire County Council as a springboard for co-production. While the architectural plans offered a solid foundation, they weren’t enough to spark the kind of detailed thinking and personalised input required for the final design. A site visit proved to be a game-changer. It gave families the chance to visualise  the space, see its potential, and share real-time input before a single brick was laid.

With support from multidisciplinary teams at both Godfrey Care and Derbyshire County Council, families suited up in hard hats and high-vis jackets to explore the empty buildings. On-site, Godfrey Care used spray paint and wooden floor panels to mark out proposed walls and room layouts, transforming the bare floors into something more tangible and relatable.

The visit brought the design to life. Families offered vital insights that directly influenced key decisions, from the position of doorways and the design of windows to the layout of kitchens and the all-important spacing in bathrooms. Their lived experience with their loved ones shaped a setting truly built around the people who will call it home. The property’s footprint was extended on the recommendations of families, providing additional space to meet sensory needs.

The development

Following the initial site visit, the collaborative partnership continued to flourish, bringing together families, Godfrey Care, Integrated Care Boards, and Derbyshire County Council. From December 2024 to July 2025, Godfrey Care hosted regular site visits attended by families and multidisciplinary teams to keep everyone engaged on the project. Meetings were held at every key stage, ensuring all voices were heard, all feedback and ideas were shared, and each sphere of expertise was utilised. Every detail and every adaptation reflected that process. Families continued to have essential input into the design and construction of the Waverley House and in the planning of the transition process for the individuals moving there.

Each living space has its own kitchen, living room, bedroom with full en-suite wet room, and private gardens. Each individual will also have access to the large communal gardens and communal kitchen/living space to facilitate social inclusion and connection.

With input from Occupational Therapists, the environments have been specifically adapted, with some including smaller kitchens or larger bathrooms to accommodate individual needs and one environment incorporating a bespoke sensory space. All the homes include HVAC heating and cooling systems, sensory lighting and bespoke fitted furniture designed specifically around each person’s needs.

The feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive. They’ve expressed deep appreciation for the attention to detail in the bespoke design and for the meaningful way they were included throughout the process. One family even described it as a “privilege” to have had a say in shaping the service.

Godfrey Care believe that families having such a voice should never be a privilege—it should be the standard. The success of this project sets a powerful precedent for what is possible when complex transitions are approached with compassion, collaboration, and creativity.

Godfrey Care were delighted to invite one of the parents, Jane, to carry out the ceremonial duties for the official ribbon cutting at our Open Day. We will soon be welcoming our first arrivals at Waverley House as we prepare transitions for individuals whose homes have been tailored to meet their specific needs. If you couldn’t attend our Open Day, we’d be delighted to welcome you for a personal visit for a look around. To arrange an appointment to view, please email Hayley.Morgan@godfreycare.co.uk

Godfrey Care have made three new appointments who will make a huge difference as part of our ongoing commitment to building futures together – for the people we support, our teams, and our communities.

Sandra Ainger has joined Godfrey Care to lead our recruitment as part of our People and Culture Team. With over 25 years of experience across management, sales, marketing, and recruitment consultancy, Sandra brings a rich depth of knowledge and a people-first mindset. Her passion for delivering a seamless, values-led recruitment experience is already making a positive impact.

We’re also celebrating the promotion of Olivia Nixon to Service Manager at Field House. A wonderful example of the career progression available in care, Olivia is proof of the power of nurturing potential and growing from within. Her journey with us began five and a half years ago as a Support Worker, and since then her development has been an inspiration to anyone considering working in our sector. She quickly progressed to Team Leader and then stepped up to the role of Deputy Manager. Olivia has demonstrated remarkable resilience, a deep sense of responsibility, and an unwavering dedication to quality care. She has been a consistent source of support and leadership — always ready to take on challenges with a calm, solution-focused approach – and we know that those qualities will shine at Field House.

And lastly, we’re pleased to announce that Sarah Cotterill has joined us as the Deputy Manager at The Meadows. With a strong background in the care sector, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional care. Her passion for creating a supportive, empowering environment is closely aligned with our vision and values.

Welcome to the team, Sandra and Sarah, and congratulations to Olivia on this well-deserved achievement.

Godfrey Care are excited to announce some new developments across our team – all part of our continued mission of building futures together.

Congratulations to Natalia Bloor, who has been promoted to Registered Manager at our Ashby House service in Burton-on-Trent! Natalia joined us five years ago as a Support Worker and has grown into an inspiring leader, most recently as Deputy Manager for Supported Living. Natalia has been a wonderful advocate of our vision and values. Her progression demonstrates the career development pathways available for dedicated and talented people in our sector.

We are also delighted to give a warm welcome to a new member of our team.

Rachel Platts has been appointed as Registered Manager at The Meadows, our brand-new service in Beeston. With over 20 years in care and a passion for supporting young people with learning disabilities, Rachel is driven by a commitment to helping others thrive. We’re excited to have her leadership and vision on board.

Thank you to Natalia and Rachel for being part of our journey. We’re excited for the future we’re building together.

It’s been another busy month at Godfrey Care Services! July was packed with memorable outings arranged by our dedicated teams.

The month kicked off with a joint trip to Rebound Inflatable Park which brought together the people we support at various services in Burton-on-Trent. The event was expertly organised by Abbie Jacques, Team Leader at Canal Lodge, to facilitate social connections and shared experiences which are an important part of life at our services. Abbie worked closely with the venue to ensure a time slot that met the specific needs and preferences of everyone attending. Her thoughtful planning meant every aspect—from accessibility to enjoyment—was considered, helping everyone feel comfortable and confident about joining in the fun.

At Field House in Burton-on-Trent, the people we support enjoyed a day at a local petting farm, where they got up close with friendly llamas, horses, and other animals. After mingling with their four-legged friends and connecting with nature, the group gathered for a relaxed picnic lunch, swapping stories and enjoying a good laugh together.

Later in the month, Field House headed out again—this time to Shobnall Leisure Complex. Blessed with beautiful summer sunshine, everyone cooled off with a refreshing paddle in the outdoor pool before settling down for another delightful picnic which gave the people we support the chance to chat, reflect on their day and strengthen their bonds.

At Godfrey Care, building futures together often starts with making memories together. A big thanks to the teams at Canal Lodge and Field House for organising some wonderful July joy!