International law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Embrace Group on the sale of 35 residential care homes and a supported living scheme to the housing and care provider, Sanctuary Group.

A provider of residential, educational and supported services within health and social care, Embrace works across children’s and young people’s services as well as adult and elderly care.

The homes, based largely in Scotland and North East England, will complement Sanctuary’s existing offering in the Midlands and the South, and will bring the group’s total number of beds to 5,300.

The Pinsent Masons team was led by Partner Joanne Ellis, supported by Michael Lakin, Tom Eastwood, and Daniel Braithwaite.

Joanne Ellis, Partner and Head of the firm's Healthcare sector, said: "The healthcare team at Pinsent Masons have worked in close partnership with the board of Embrace helping to deliver their strategy for a number of years and are delighted to be part of a team to see the older people's division continue to the next phase of its development."

Commenting on the deal, Trish Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Embrace, said: “We are delighted that these services will continue to deliver high-quality care and support as part of Sanctuary Group. Sanctuary shares our values of treating people with respect and dignity and I’m confident these services will continue to thrive under its stewardship.  I wish all the services the very best for an exciting future.”

Pinsent Masons' Healthcare team was also recently named Legal Advisors of the Year for Transactions in the Private Sector at the Health Investor Awards 2017.