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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 1

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to 2 children, who experience social and emotional behavioural difficulties. One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since October 2025. An acting manager has been in post since November 2025 and is not yet registered.

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This monitoring visit

On 15 and 16 July 2026, a full inspection was undertaken at this home. Significant concerns were raised during the inspection. An inadequate judgement was given. This led to compliance notices being issued related to Regulations 12 and 13 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to assess the actions taken by the provider in response to the concerns set out in the compliance notices. Other requirements that were not monitored at this inspection have been restated.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, no children have moved on from the service. No children have moved in. Despite some improvements seen at this monitoring visit, the provider has not taken sufficient action to address the concerns previously identified. The compliance notices have not been met. Consequently, a further compliance notice has been issued related to Regulation 12 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments for children are now clearer and provide detailed information as to what staff should do in certain situations. However, these assessments are not consistently being followed by all staff. Leaders and managers recognised this concern and are addressing this. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 2 Room searches are being completed in line with the child’s plan. Staff now record clear information about the room searches. However, leaders and managers have not consistently identified all actions required to ensure that the child is effectively safeguarded. For example, following a room search, the manager failed to act on indications of a child’s involvement with the police. In addition, leaders and managers have not shown sufficient curiosity or taken sufficient action, when a child appeared to be under the influence of substances.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have created bespoke risk assessments for family members, who are working together. The staff have been spoken to about procedures should they need to make a complaint. Leaders and managers will use an external company to complete investigations where appropriate.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have updated their training matrix. The manager now understands the training matrix. Staff have completed additional training in line with the child’s needs. Staff have been enrolled on relevant qualifications and appropriate action has been taken in response to outstanding qualifications and training.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have increased the managerial presence and structure in the home. This has resulted in managers having better oversight.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are completing recruitment training to support their understanding of safer recruitment. Leaders and managers have changed access to staff files. Staff members no longer have access to other staff members’ files.

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This monitoring visit

The home environment has improved. Leaders and managers have worked hard to make the garden more homely. The child’s bedroom has improved. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/07/2026 Full Inadequate 04/06/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 4

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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, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)) 9 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the staff rota is a true reflection of who is working at the home.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 9 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that all records are clear and that the information is detailed 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

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Foundation Project Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Abby Lynch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2807623 7 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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Inspector

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