More young people who have faced trauma will be able to access therapeutic residential care after a specialist provider received significant investment in a deal supported by Browne Jacobson. 

The UK and Ireland law firm has advised Endurance Capital on its acquisition of a majority stake in Forge Care Limited, a specialist provider of trauma-informed residential care for young people based in the West Midlands. 

Forge Care delivers high-quality therapeutic residential care for children and young people aged six to 18, providing up to 24 placements supported by integrated therapeutic services, and works in partnership with local authorities across the UK.

The investment provides the business with the capital and strategic support to accelerate its next phase of growth, including the roll out and development of additional homes, while preserving the culture, values and clinical model that underpin the business's exceptional outcomes. 

The Browne Jacobson deal team was led by Private Equity Partner Matt Dorman and supported by Corporate Associates Laura Dunn and Dina Hansotia, Banking Partner Paul Duggan, Banking Associate Lucy Charlesworth, Banking Paralegal Daniel Fowler, Tax Principal Associate James Arnold and Senior Corporate Tax Advisor Jade Williamson. 

Supporting specialist care investment

Matt Dorman commented: “This transaction is a strong signal of investor confidence in the UK's specialist care sector. Endurance Capital's decision to invest into a regulated, outcomes-driven children's care business in the West Midlands reflects the quality of opportunity available in this market and the UK's continued attractiveness to overseas private equity.

“Browne Jacobson has significant experience advising investors navigating the UK regulatory, legal and commercial landscape, and we are proud to have supported Endurance Capital on this transaction."

Robbie Lynn, of Endurance Capital, said: “Forge Care is an exceptional business with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable young people in the country. The team has built something rare – both in terms of physical environment and commitment to delivering therapeutic care at scale. We are excited to support Gavin Miller, Ryan Miller, Adam Wells and the wider team as we write the next chapter of that story.”

The deal team was supported by specialists from Browne Jacobson’s independent health and care team, which includes more than 100 lawyers specialising in corporate transactions, commercial contracts, banking and finance, real estate and construction, regulatory, safeguarding, claims and inquests and HR and immigration. It has extensive experience advising organisations across the children's services sector, including children's homes operators, fostering agencies, education providers and local authorities. 

Recent corporate transactions it has supported in the sector include advising Medina Groups, a leading operator of care homes across the East Midlands, on the disposal of part of its group to dementia and complex care provider Fortava Healthcare; Glenholme Healthcare Group on the disposal of its Glenholme Specialist Care division to STAR Capital; and BCF Equity Partners on the sale of CF Social Work Limited to Keys Group Limited. 

Vicky Tomlinson, Partner and Corporate Health Lead at Browne Jacobson, added: “This transaction demonstrates continued investor confidence in the UK children’s services sector and the opportunities presented by high-quality providers operating in highly regulated and complex environments. Private equity investment enables high-quality providers to expand their services, invest in their people and facilities, and meet growing demand.”

“Our team’s deep understanding of the sector, its regulatory landscape and the complexities involved means we are well placed to support investors as the enter and invest in this sector.”