September 2026 · Limited Places · Application Only

Children's Homes Investor Mastermind The UK's first specialist 12-month programme for values-led investors

Led by Louis Stedman-Bryce and Carly Houston
12 months · Live online workshops + Bonus in-person day · Application Only · Begins 23 September 2026
Louis Stedman-Bryce and Carly Houston, leaders of the Children's Homes Investor Mastermind.
Built Around

Ethical Investment Principles

Operationally Responsible Growth

Founder-Led Mentorship

Small Curated Cohorts

Long-Term Community & Support

900+

In 2025, Ofsted opened nearly 900 investigations into suspected illegal children's homes in England.

There is a serious shortage of quality, suitable, compliant children's homes.

Responsible capital can be part of the solution, but only when it's built on the right foundations. That is what this programme teaches.

Source: Ofsted, 2025

About the programme

One of the most important, and misunderstood, sectors in UK property

Many delegates arrive here after years in traditional property. Buy-to-let portfolios, HMOs, serviced accommodation, holiday lets: strategies that promised passive income but, for most, meant rising effort, shifting regulation, escalating costs and tightening margins.

This Mastermind was created for investors who want something different: a model built on certainty rather than constant change, and a way to create profit with purpose. When structured correctly, children's residential care is a sector where long-term stability, strong contractual income and real social impact sit side by side. This is not about running care services. It's about understanding how property, regulation, commissioning and ethics intersect, and how to structure long-term passive investments that improve outcomes for children.

Louis Stedman-Bryce and Carly Houston, leaders of the Children's Homes Investor Mastermind.

The Five Principles

The framework we build on. Every deal, every decision and every module of the programme is anchored to these five principles.

1.

Care Comes First

Children's welfare sets the standard. Rigorous care-provider selection and due diligence before anything else.

2.

Verify Demand

Validate the area. Understand commissioning need and how to work with local authorities.

3.

Financial Viability

Confirm the numbers work. Deal analysis, care-cost models and provider affordability.

4.

Regulation & Compliance

Know the regulatory landscape fully: Ofsted, planning and property requirements.

5.

Legal & Lease Structuring

Stable, secure leases structured to protect all parties over the long term.

What we cover across 12 months

A complete route from foundations to a sustainable, scalable position

01

Foundations

Orientation, investment-journey overview and case studies.

02

Strategy & Values Alignment

Building a business aligned with your values and long-term vision.

03

Sector Knowledge

How children's residential care works, care models and commissioning.

04

Care Provider Relationships

Choosing and working with the right care provider, and the due-diligence process.

05

Financial Modelling & Deal Analysis

Financial analysis, care-cost models and provider affordability.

06

Funding Options & Strategies

The full funding landscape, from bridging to private investment.

07

Legals & Lease Structuring

Conveyancing process, lease terms and implementation.

08

Regulation & Compliance

Planning, Ofsted and property-development requirements.

09

Property Sourcing & Acquisition

Finding the right property, deal structuring and seller negotiations.

10

Refurbishment & Delivery

From specification through to handover.

11

Scaling & Long-Term Strategy

A sustainable long-term position, including transitional and step-down models.

12

Applied Learning & Case Studies

Real deals and real decisions, worked through live with the group.

How it works

Live delivery, real mentorship and the tools to act on it

Format

Live monthly Zoom workshops plus mid-monthly mentoring calls.

Cohort

A small group, to allow real discussion and participation.

Community

A private messaging group for support between sessions.

In-Person

A bonus day in Brighton with industry experts.

Check-ins

Built-in goal-setting and review sessions.

Resources

A full library of practical tools and templates.

Supporting tools you'll be given
Due Diligence & Research Financial Modelling Legal & Lease Business Development Compliance & Delivery Strategy & Planning

Meet your programme leads

Two practitioners, equal footing, one standard

Louis Stedman-Bryce

Louis Stedman-Bryce

Investment · Regulation · Public Policy

Louis's background spans property investment, deal structuring and public policy, including time as a Member of the European Parliament. That experience, combined with his personal lived experience of the care system, shapes both his approach to this sector and his drive to make profound change within it. Through Inkfish Group he has spent close to six years structuring and developing children's-home investments, working directly with care providers and local authorities, and now delivers specialist care models through Inkfish Homes. He understands how regulation is written, how it's enforced, and where investors most commonly come unstuck.

"At fifteen, I was placed in what would now be classified as an illegal children's home. Thirty-five years later, children are still being placed in similar settings. This work is personal, and the standards are not negotiable."
Carly Houston

Carly Houston

Ethical Investment · Business Strategy · Mentoring

Carly started her property journey with a simple question: can I create financial security for my family and help people at the same time? Over 15 years she has built a sizeable portfolio, primarily in the supported-housing sector, delivering high-quality, specialist provision. Her experience spans HMOs and flat conversions through to boutique hotel developments. She has worked extensively with private investors, built on strong relationships and long-term structures, and has spent over a decade coaching and mentoring investors to create property businesses that are genuinely aligned with their values.

"Operating in line with your values and having a clear purpose for your business is just as important as having the financial clarity and strategy to make it sustainable."

Investment

Application only, so we can be sure it's the right fit, both ways

Step one · Your Mastermind deposit
£250

Your deposit secures your application and a one-to-one call with Louis or Carly to discuss your goals and confirm whether a place in the cohort is right for you. It's your commitment to the Mastermind, subject to acceptance.

  • Personal review of your application
  • A one-to-one call with Louis or Carly
  • Credited towards the programme once you're accepted
  • Fully refunded if you're not accepted

Non-refundable if you miss your call or withdraw after being offered a place.

The programme
Confirmed on your call

The full 12-month programme investment is discussed with you directly on your call, once we understand your goals and confirm fit. Everything below is included for every investor in the cohort.

  • 11 live Zoom workshops over 12 months
  • Mid-monthly group mentoring calls
  • In-person Brighton day with industry experts
  • Private community between sessions
  • Strategy goal-setting & reviews
  • Full library of tools & templates

Is this for you?

An honest filter, not a sales qualifier

A small cohort only works when everyone in it is the right fit. Read both columns honestly before you apply.

This programme is for you if

  • You're ready to commit to a 12-month journey, not a quick win
  • You value long-term sustainability over speculative, fast returns
  • You want to invest responsibly, with care and compliance built in
  • You're serious about entering this sector with the right structure and partners

It's not for you if

  • You're focused on high-volume speculation or transactional investing
  • You want speed and scale ahead of standards and care
  • You're expecting guaranteed numbers or pressure tactics
  • You want to become a care operator rather than a responsible investor

The questions people ask us first

Why is it application only?

Places are limited and the cohort only works when everyone is the right fit. The application and call let us make sure this is genuinely right for you, and for the group, before anyone commits.

What does the £250 deposit cover?

A full review of your application and a one-to-one call with Louis or Carly to discuss your goals and confirm whether a place is right for you. It's credited towards the programme once you're accepted, and fully refunded if you're not.

What happens after I apply and pay the deposit?

You'll be invited by email to book your one-to-one call with Louis or Carly. On the call we discuss your application, answer your questions, and confirm your place and the programme investment.

Do I need experience in property or care to apply?

No. Many members arrive with little or no exposure to children's homes. What matters is that you're approaching the sector seriously and responsibly.

When does the cohort start?

The first workshop is on 23 September 2026. Places are limited, so apply now to avoid disappointment.

Apply for a place

Three steps to your seat in the cohort

Complete your details and pay your £250 Mastermind deposit securely. We'll then email you a link to book your call with Louis or Carly.

What happens next
  1. Apply & pay your £250 depositComplete your details and pay your deposit securely below.
  2. Book your callWe'll email you a link to schedule your one-to-one with Louis or Carly.
  3. Confirm your placeOn the call we discuss your application, answer your questions and confirm your place in the cohort.
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