What Orbis Education and Care does

Revenue is generated exclusively through commissioned placements funded by local authorities, health boards and education authorities across England and Wales, with placements individually priced against assessed need and therapeutic services itemised separately. Customer acquisition runs through a dedicated Referral Line and direct engagement with commissioning teams, supported by documented outcome-based success stories (e.g., attendance improvements from 8% to 90%, reduced support ratios) and strong regulatory credentials including multiple Care Inspectorate Wales "Excellent" ratings and Estyn inspection reports. The business operates as a group of related private limited companies (Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Pembrokeshire Resource Centre Limited, Gower Lodge (Swansea) Limited, Priority Childcare Limited), is led by CEO Andy Cresswell and CFO Dafydd John, and shows no disclosed external venture or private equity funding.

Name

Orbis Education and Care

Legal name

Orbis Education & Care Ltd

Website

https://orbis-group.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Orbis Education and Care is a privately held specialist provider of integrated education, residential care and therapeutic services for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism and learning disability, operating 25 services across South and Mid Wales with 900+ employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialist Autism Care and Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO), Parenting Education for Special Needs & Developmental Differences (EDACALAK)

Keywords

• Specialist autism care
• Residential education services
• Adult learning disability
• Specialist schools
• Therapeutic support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Penryn

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices23 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Placements: Placements are funded by local authorities, health boards, and education authorities. Social care, health and education funding are combined as appropriate to the needs of each placement. Education-only placements are paid by local education authorities, while placements requiring both education and residential support are funded by education and care combined.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Orbis Education & Care provides specialist care and education services for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism, operating 25 services across South & Mid Wales. The integrated model combines residential homes, specialist schools, in-house therapeutic services (Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support) and pioneering day services (Academy Living at The Orb). Placements are commissioned and funded by local authorities, health boards, and education authorities.

Product overview

Orbis Education & Care operates as a unified specialist care and education platform offering integrated services for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism. The portfolio comprises Children's Schools & Homes (specialist schools and residential homes for children aged 5-19), Adult Provisions (residential homes for adults aged 18+), and Academy Living at The Orb (pioneering day services for life and work skills). The platform is enhanced by in-house Therapeutic Services including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Positive Behaviour Support. The company also acquired Priority Childcare in April 2021, expanding into emotional, behavioural and social difficulties services. With 25 services across South & Mid Wales, the integrated model combines education, care, and therapeutic support with a person-centred approach. Named locations include Birchwood School & Oakfield House (Cardiff), Ty Bronllys (Brecon), Dan Y Coed (Swansea), Summergil House (Presteigne), The Old Vicarage (Newport), Coed Parc (Port Talbot), Ty Carreg (Barry), Ty Seren (Swansea), Rosendale (Tenby), Bangeston Hall (Pembrokeshire), Cartref Mynydd (Pontardulais), and various transition homes including West Cross, Cwtch Mawr, Tŷ Enfys, and Ty Nelson.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Priority Childcare: A group of eleven homes for children who have needs associated with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. Part of Orbis Group since April 2021.

Products and services

• Children's Schools & Homes

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% of adult placements were young adults leaving Orbis' children's services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Powys PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Orbis' school liaison officers works closely with Powys police to enhance communication between the police force and Orbis. This includes training on how to approach and communicate with individuals supported by the organisation.
• Local CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrbis engages with local communities through fundraising for local charities, community garden development, and local sport sponsorships across Cardiff and Pembrokeshire.
• Care Inspectorate WalescoreOthersOrbis services are registered and inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales, which provides regulatory oversight and ratings for care services in Wales.
• EstyncoreOthersOrbis schools are inspected by Estyn, the education inspectorate in Wales, which provides regulatory oversight and inspection reports for schools.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Hft (Hft for the Shaw Trust): National charity supporting people with learning disabilities, including autism, through supported living and residential services. Comparable commissioning base with some service overlap in adult autism care.

Direct peers

• Kisimul Group: Provides specialist residential care and education for children and adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs. Smaller but directly comparable operating model focused on multi-disciplinary and lifelong pathways.
• Outcomes First Group: One of the UK's largest specialist education and care providers for children and adults with complex needs including autism. Operates schools, residential homes and therapeutic services across England, Scotland and Wales with a multi-disciplinary model very similar to Orbis.
• Cambian Group: Specialist provider of education and residential care for children and young people with autism, learning disabilities and SEMH needs. Direct competitor for commissioned placements from local authorities across the UK.
• Acorn Care & Education: Operates specialist schools and residential homes for children with autism, learning disabilities and SEMH needs, often acquiring smaller specialist providers. Closely comparable operating model and target commissioner base.

Others

• National Autistic Society: UK charity providing autism-specific schools, residential services and advocacy. Not a direct for-profit competitor but operates adjacent specialist services and influences commissioner thinking.

Broad incumbents

• United Response: Charity providing person-centred support for adults and children with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. Operates supported living and residential services with overlap to Orbis's adult provisions.
• Priory Group: Largest UK independent provider of specialist mental health, education and social care services. Operates residential schools and care homes for autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities, directly competing with Orbis for commissioner referrals at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/orbis_ed_care?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/orbiseducationandcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orbiseducationandcare

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orbis Education and Care