Our Team

Our team is made up of experienced residential care professionals who are passionate about supporting children with complex needs, including autism, learning disabilities and trauma-related challenges.

At Swan, We have Multi Disciplinary Teams including Paediatricians, Consultants, Therapists and Support Staff who work as one entity to support children of all needs.

Through specialist training, therapeutic approaches and genuine compassion, our staff work closely with each child to build trust, encourage independence and support their emotional wellbeing.

Raaj began his career in residential care in 2013, supporting adults in secure settings with high-needs autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and behaviours that challenge. Working with individuals across a wide range of abilities, he developed a strong understanding of how to support people in integrating into the community—often transitioning from institutional environments—while ensuring each individual remained at the centre of their own care.

His academic background in psychology and neuroscience, with a focus on learning difficulties and complex needs, has been instrumental in shaping his commitment to helping individuals achieve the best possible outcomes.

Raaj became a managing director of Swan Independent Living (our sister company) in 2017, and he has led their team in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to remain happy, healthy, and connected, while building positive relationships and integrating into British society and culture. Recognising that many of these young people have experienced significant trauma, he prioritised creating a supportive environment that promotes recovery and resilience. Under his leadership, the organisation has consistently achieved strong outcomes, with many young people showing notable improvements in confidence and overall wellbeing.

Drawing on his extensive frontline experience, he went on to found Swan Children’s Homes in response to the challenges him and his team had witnessed when supporting individuals with complex and challenging behaviour. Motivated by a desire to improve standards within the children’s care sector, he set out to build an organisation that directly addresses the gaps in provision and delivers more effective, child-centred support.

His vision is to ensure that children with intellectual disabilities are given the best possible opportunities to thrive, with care that is consistent, compassionate, and outcome-focused.

“I strongly believe that every child has the potential to progress to a happy, settled permanence in an appropriate family environment, and eventually reach their own potential for independence in life. Our vision for Swan children’s homes was to create a place where a child can be supported on this journey in a homely, therapeutic and holistic environment. I am committed to evidence-based working in order that we can confidently, and collaboratively help children to achieve positive outcomes that will transform the trajectory of their lives.

I’m incredibly proud of the company we have created, and the amazing team whose experience and passion makes Swan children’s homes truly special. My ultimate aim is for each child to look back fondly on their time here and on their own achievements as the foundation for their long-term quality of life.”

Since beginning her career in Young people’s Services as a Residential Practitioner in 2001, Jo has continued in various provisions with a focus on trauma, neglect and mental health issues leading to complex behavioural and emotional difficulties. In 2014, Jo became a Registered Manager for a local authority and also provides Regulation 44 visits to other providers and supported learning and development within services.

Jo has been part of the team at Swan Children’s Home since the conception of Biggle Corner, working alongside the Directors to create the unique home which opened In July 2020. Jo was the Regsitered manager of Biggle Corner until January 2023 until she stepped into the role of Responsible Individual for Biggle Corner and Aspen house to support the ongoing success of the Swan.

I’m proud that the team at Swan Children’s Homes are so passionate about building an effective therapeutic community and bespoke environment where young people’s individual needs can be met in a holistic way. Our aim is not only for young people to reach their full potential whilst living with us, but also for effective partnership working to ensure that specialist support is maintained for young people and their families in transition from their time here.”