Essex Fostering Agency Secures Third Consecutive Outstanding Ofsted Rating
By Community Correspondent
A therapeutic fostering agency based in Essex has once again received top marks across all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection, marking its third consecutive set of Outstanding ratings and reinforcing its standing as a leading provider in the sector.
Mosaic Foster Care was rated Outstanding in children’s experiences and progress, safeguarding, and leadership and management following an inspection carried out over a week in January.
The findings, published last month, mirror the agency’s previous inspection results in 2022 and 2019.
Only one other fostering agency in England is thought to have achieved the same level of consistent success.
Inspectors commended the organisation for delivering services that go beyond standard expectations, noting its effectiveness in helping children heal from past trauma and develop secure, long-term family relationships.
The report outlines the significant progress made by children placed with Mosaic foster carers, many of whom had experienced multiple placement disruptions before joining the Southend-on-Sea-based agency.
It also highlights the long-term nature of many placements, with a large number of young people continuing to live with their foster families beyond the age of 18 through “staying put” arrangements. This reflects the strong, lasting relationships built within placements and a clear focus on positive outcomes for children.
A therapeutic model delivering stability
Established by Andre Palmer, Mosaic Foster Care was designed to offer a more supportive, therapeutic approach to fostering, focusing on both children and the families who care for them.
A dedicated in-house therapeutic team, alongside specialist support staff, plays a key role in the agency’s approach. This ensures foster parents can access timely support when challenges arise, rather than facing delays through external services.
Inspectors described this therapeutic framework as “central to the agency’s success”, pointing to the ongoing guidance, reflective practices, and specialist training available to carers.
Andre Palmer said the latest inspection reflects years of work building a culture focused on stability and long-term outcomes for children.
“We started Mosaic because we knew foster parents needed more support if they were going to help children recover from trauma and build stable lives.
This report confirms what we’ve always believed – when foster parents are properly supported, children in their care thrive.”
Foster parents at the heart of success
The report also recognised the strong partnerships between staff and foster parents, with carers consistently stating they feel highly supported in their roles.
Smaller caseloads for supervising social workers allow for closer relationships with families and quicker responses when support is required.
This approach has contributed to an impressive placement stability rate of 95%, significantly higher than the national average of 68%.
“Children experience stability, form trusting relationships and make progress that exceeds expectations,” inspectors wrote in the report.
Real families changing children’s lives
At the core of the agency’s success are the foster parents who provide safe and stable homes for children unable to live with their birth families.
Examples include Bev, a single foster parent supporting a young person who remains with her at age 20 under a staying put arrangement; Alan, who began fostering at 68; Thelma, who fosters alongside her son; Livvy, whose husband left work so they could foster full-time; and Tracey, who has supported eight young people over 15 years.
Their stories reflect the wide range of people who choose to foster and the meaningful impact they have on children’s lives.
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Demand for foster parents remains critical
Despite achievements like those seen at Mosaic Foster Care, there is still a nationwide shortage of foster carers.
The agency is encouraging more people across Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, North Kent and Worcestershire to consider fostering.
Andre Palmer said:
“The reality is that there are many more children who need stable homes than there are families available to provide them.
The incredible work our foster parents do every day shows what’s possible when the right support is in place.”
