What Children’s Homes Really Need: Rhiannon Hughes on Staffing, Trust and Therapeutic Care

In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Andy Baker continues his discussion with Rhiannon Hughes, exploring how her lived experience in care now shapes the way she recruits staff for children’s homes - and why that matters so much. Rhiannon shares what she looks for beyond a CV, the difference between an adult who simply works in a children’s home and one who genuinely changes a child’s life, and why consistency, emotional steadiness and therapeutic care matter more than ever. This episode will be especially valuable for residential childcare staff, managers, foster carers, social care leaders, and anyone interested in trauma-informed practice, workforce development and improving outcomes for children in care. In this episode, we explore: What good staffing really looks like in children’s homes Why connection matters more than simply covering shifts The traits Rhiannon looks for when recruiting staff Why some adults build trust and others lose it quickly How lived experience can shape better leadership in children’s care Rhiannon’s vision for opening her own children’s homes Three key messages from this episode: Children’s homes need adults who do not take behaviour personally and who can stay emotionally steady when children are pushing them away. Recruitment in residential childcare should not just be about filling vacancies - it should be about finding adults who can build trust, safety and consistency. Real care means helping children build independence, confidence and practical life skills - not just supervising them through the day. Timestamps / Chapters: 24:20 - Part 2 begins: from lived experience to purposeful recruitment 24:20 - What Rhiannon looks for beyond a CV 25:39 - The difference between an adult who works in care and one who changes lives 26:49 - Why children who reject love often need it most 27:16 - Being the eldest sibling and carrying responsibility early 28:00 - Supporting her sister through homelessness and addiction 36:47 - Why Rhiannon wants to open her own children’s homes 42:52 - What she would do differently in children’s residential care 47:18 - Why care leavers should be encouraged back into the sector 47:51 - The one non-negotiable value she would build into her home 48:54 - Her message for young people who feel unwanted or unsafe Why listen to this episode: This episode is a powerful reminder that staffing is never just a numbers issue. In children’s homes, the right adult can change everything. Rhiannon brings a perspective that combines lived experience, care sector insight and a clear vision for doing things better. If you care about therapeutic care, stable teams, trauma-informed practice and building homes where children feel safe, seen and supported, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on. Resources mentioned / useful links: Rhiannon Hughes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-hughes-a85469217?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Residential Recruitment: http://www.residentialrecruitment.co.uk Contact Rhiannon: [email protected] Follow Able / Able to Care: Website: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abletocarepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AbleTraining