About Oakley House

Maintaining Safe and Supportive Homes for Our Children

Our Philosophy

At Oakley House we are committed to providing safe and supportive homes for the children in our care. Our mission is to empower each child to reach their full potential by creating an environment that fosters healing, growth, and learning. We believe that every child deserves a loving and nurturing home where they can thrive, and we work tirelessly to make that a reality. Through our trauma-informed approach and personalized care, we strive to build strong foundations for our children’s well-being, helping them develop a deep sense of belonging, trust, and self-belief.

Our philosophy is based on the belief that every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood, and we strive to make this a reality for each child who comes through our doors.

Our Core Values

Compassion

We approach every child with kindness, empathy, and respect, creating a warm and nurturing environment where they feel valued and supported.

Empowerment

We encourage children to be active participants in their care and decision-making, this approach is aimed to help build self-confidence and self-determination in our children.

Responsibility

We take responsibility for every child’s welfare and development by working collaboratively with families, schools, professionals and local authorities to provide the highest standards of care possible.

Ashley Smith

Founder

Ashley’s career began in residential children’s homes, where her passion for helping and supporting Children and Young People grew. She then pursued a professional qualification in social work, laying the foundation for her dedication in this field.

In various roles within Child Protection teams for local authorities, Ashley championed the rights and welfare of children and young people. Her expertise in the area of Child Sexual Exploitation made her the lead social worker in her team, further establishing her knowledge and skills.

As Ashley progressed, she assumed senior positions in looked after children’s teams, overseeing the management of care for service users in residential placements. She later took on a dual management role, leading both leaving care and looked after children’s teams. During this time, Ashley supported action plans for young people who were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), while also gaining experience in staff management.

Ashley’s experience extends beyond local authority roles. She has worked independently as a court expert, conducting Special Guardianship assessments and providing guidance to prospective foster carers throughout their application process. With her wealth of knowledge and expertise, Ashley encompassing career has well-equipped her to support the managers and staff members at Oakley House.