Former Southend children's home set to re-open to help avoid £1.2m-a-year bill

The council bought a five-bedroom home in Shoebury in 2021 It has been empty ever since but is now set to provide accommodation for four looked-after children that would otherwise cost the council £1.2million in fees to a private children’s home. Proposals include offering a three-year contract to a private provider to run the home for the council.

So called “spot placements”, placements for individual children as the need occurs, currently costs the council £5,870 per bed per week and if a local place cannot be found, children may sometimes have to be placed outside the borough. Laurie Burton, councillor responsible for children, young people and SEND, said: “Currently too many children are in expensive placements outside the city, which isn’t ideal for their wellbeing. Caulfied Road will accommodate four young people initially.



“This may not seem a lot but it’s better to start small and grow provision from there, and even small numbers can have big savings. As the house was a children’s home previously, fit-out costs will be minimal. I’m really excited to see it reopening and look forward to it welcoming the first cohort.

” The home is expected to open, following successful registration with Ofsted, in the 2025/26 fiscal year. A report to cabinet said: “Currently, we are placing children in residential services on a spot purchase basis. This is not cost effective and makes it difficult to negotiate pricing with providers.

“Establishing this framework for children’s residential services in Southend will bring several benefits aimed at improving the quality of care, safety, and outcomes for children and young people whilst also allowing better financial and contract management of all services contracted under this framework. “If the council did not utilise Caulfield Road, four spot placements for a year could cost more than £1.2 million.

The contract for provision of services to four beds at Caulfield Road, would be over £250k, but is anticipated to be better value than individual spot placements and achieve efficiencies.”.