Children's Home run by The Foundation Project Ltd in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 1 Registered provider: The Foundation Project Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children. One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2024. The manager registered at the same time.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This inspection was brought forward to address concerns received in notifications received by Ofsted. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The child was absent during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since the home was registered. The child was supported to move in with a multi-agency approach. The staff and manager have prioritised relationship building with the child. As a result, the child has begun to form positive relationships with the manager and staff. These relationships have supported the child to make progress from their starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers have established good links with other professionals and agencies. There is good support from the allocated police community support officer and sexual health clinicians, who regularly visit the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff capture the child’s views, wishes and feelings. When the child shares their views, these are responded to, and the child is given an outcome. This approach helps to support the child to share their views about the care they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team is diverse and brings a variety of backgrounds and experiences that enrich the home. The child’s specific ethnic, cultural and identity needs are well understood by staff and celebrated. The home promotes diversity through cooking cultural dishes and regular discussions. This approach has supported the child’s understanding of differences in others and helped them to embrace their own unique identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff understand the importance of the child’s family and friendship ties. Staff support the child to spend time with their family and friends. Staff warmly welcome family to the home. They support the child to spend time with friends in the community. Family members are positive about the support provided to the child. These connections support the child’s identity and help them to build social relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been out of formal education for several years. The manager has advocated well to find suitable education arrangements. Staff encourage the child’s attendance and emphasise the importance of attending. Although the child has not yet attended, the staff’s approach shows the child is being encouraged to access education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a high standard throughout. It is furnished and resourced well to meet the needs of the child. The child’s bedroom is decorated to a high standard and represents the child’s personality. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 3

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand the child’s vulnerabilities and the risks they face. Staff work with the child to help them understand the dangers posed by others. Regular key-work sessions take place with the child to support their understanding about their risks. The records of these discussions are detailed.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are trained in the use of physical intervention. On one occasion, physical intervention has been used. This was proportionate and necessary to prevent the child from harm. The child was supported to talk about the events that led to the intervention and provided with aftercare.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Immediate action is taken to keep the child safe when there have been safeguarding concerns about staff practice. Concerns are shared with relevant professionals, and actions and outcomes are agreed. The child and professionals are kept up to date with developments.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child’s missing-from-home protocol is comprehensive. There are good references to places that the child may be when they go missing. Maps and addresses are provided, and known contacts and telephone numbers are recorded. This aids the staff in supporting the child’s safe return.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since moving in, the child has spent long periods away from the home at unknown locations. The manager has taken a multi-agency approach to discourage the child from going missing and support them to remain at the home. The manager collaborates with the local authority missing-from-care coordinator, the police, local authority and youth justice practitioners. Approaches to support the child are regularly discussed with professionals, and areas of further support for the child are implemented.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

On each occasion the child has gone missing from the home, staff have followed the child’s missing-from-care protocol. They search for the child and contact the relevant authorities. Creative attempts to encourage the child to return are used by staff. For example, they encourage the child to invite friends home and explore activities locally for the child to take part in. On occasion, this approach has supported the child to return home more promptly. When the child returns, they are welcomed warmly and encouraged to talk about the reason for the absence. However, there are incidents when the child has been missing that have not been recorded effectively by staff. This does not ensure effective oversight of these incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Professionals said that the frequency and length the child is absent have significantly reduced since moving in. They said that when the child is missing, they remain in communication and meet them in the community. One professional said, ‘I cannot fault the staff, they have gone above and beyond. They offer [name of child] so much, they support and involve all professionals and family. The manager and staff are exceptional; they know how to talk to [name of child] and engage them.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and qualified. She supports a culture of high expectations and aspirations for children. These characteristics are demonstrated in staff practice. The statement of purpose identifies a therapeutic approach to care, and the manager is taking steps to embed this in staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about the manager and the responsible individual. Staff have regular team meetings, which are reflective and support practice development. This provides staff with support for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager oversees the careful recruitment of staff. This includes necessary safer recruitment checks. Staff have well-thought-out inductions that are underpinned by the home’s therapeutic ethos. All staff have completed the home’s mandatory training, and the manager has identified plans with staff to build on their further development and progression.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions. These are child focused and provide opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice, discuss the care of children and review their learning and development needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff understand the child’s needs, their individual plan and their vulnerabilities. The manager and staff are committed to the child and support their progress. Professionals and family members speak highly of the support the manager and staff provide to the child and the effective communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the service well and understands the strengths and areas of development. There are effective reviewing systems in place to ensure that leaders and managers review the quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s records and plans are detailed. However, aspects of the child’s risk assessments contain inaccurate information about free-time arrangements, and some aspects are difficult to follow. This could lead to inconsistencies in how staff respond to the child and does not reflect current arrangements. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that missing-from-care incidents are recorded effectively. 10 July 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that all records are clear and detail the information in a concise and factual way. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Foundation Project Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 15 Link Road, Rayleigh SS6 8AF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anthony McKenzie

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Inspector

Syvanna Matthew, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2807623 7 and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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