Compass Community

Graphite led the secondary buy-out of Compass in December 2017. Across Graphite’s period of ownership, Compass materially increased its fostering and residential capacity, both organically and inorganically, helping Local Authorities care for growing numbers of vulnerable children. Recognising constraints in specialist education, Compass also established an education division which grew rapidly, underpinned by Compass’ therapeutic approach to care. Underlying this expansion was a relentless focus on quality, with Compass maintaining market-leading standards across all three divisions during our ownership.

Graphite worked closely with the incumbent team to develop its commercial function and supported investment in resources to enable Compass to become a leading provider of therapeutically focused care. As an experienced healthcare investor, we recognised the paramount importance of quality, and helped the business develop its market leading reputation, delivering significant social impact across the UK. By the end of Graphite’s ownership, Compass looked after over 1,500 foster children, and had capacity for 270 children in residential care and 400 children in specialist education, nearly tripling the size of the business since the buy-out, making it one of the UK’s leading providers of children’s services.