Children's Home run by NET PEX LTD in Kent

Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 1 Registered provider: NET PEX Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for one child with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in November 2023 and this is its first inspection. The manager was also registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was an ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities due to safeguarding concerns raised in regard to the care of the child living at the home. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incidents were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 2 Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Since the home opened, two children have lived there. One child stayed at the home for a few months until they moved due to their vulnerabilities and concerns around going missing and criminalisation. The child currently living in the home was not present during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home environment is bare and lacks the feel of a family home. There is significant damage to the property and repairs are under way to return the home to a safe standard. The registered provider has fitted locks to all the kitchen cabinets to prevent these being removed and damaged. This does not create a warm, nurturing environment for a child to live in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not demonstrate that they understand children’s behaviours in the context of trauma. Consequences used are inappropriate and are not recorded in line with the regulations. For example, when the child arrived, they were understandably distressed and alerted members of the public to their concerns. In response, a consequence was imposed on the child where they were not allowed to leave the home for a week. In another example, staff removed a child’s TV and games console in response to the child not following instructions. This led to an incident and resulted in the child being restrained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Neither of the children have engaged in formal education. However, the child living in the home has begun a tutoring programme online and the registered manager has liaised with the child’s local authority and virtual school to get this arrangement in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The staff have registered children with local health services and routine appointments have been made. However, children are not consistently provided with structure and routine and are not supported to have healthy and nutritious meals to ensure a well- balanced diet.

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

The registered provider has failed to take effective action to ensure that allegations and concerns are shared appropriately and without delay with relevant agencies, including Ofsted. In addition, concerns and allegations are not investigated thoroughly. For example, staff called police to the home to support them with a child who was in distress. Records show that, during this visit, the child told the police that staff had hit them on the head, and they were injured. No action was taken by staff or senior leaders to report this incident so that safeguarding processes could be implemented, and they did not check the child for injuries or seek medical attention. Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 4 Additionally, another allegation made by the child was not investigated thoroughly by the registered provider. An investigation determined that the allegation was unfounded. However, this was not supported by evidence and the registered manager was unable to

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

provide a rationale for this decision. The failure to address concerns and investigate allegations thoroughly places children at risk of harm.

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

The registered provider has not ensured that safer recruitment processes are in place. For example, records do not demonstrate that leaders have satisfied themselves that agency staff are suitably vetted. Furthermore, there are no records to show that original Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificates have been seen.

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

One child who lived at the home frequently went missing, despite being subject to a court order that gave staff permission to prevent them leaving the house due to them being at risk. On occasions, staff’s actions facilitated the child going missing. The registered provider took some action to work with staff to address this concern. Senior leaders engaged in regular meetings and worked collaboratively with the child’s local authority, the police and the child’s family.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Senior leaders have failed to ensure that they have effective oversight of children’s care. This has led to serious shortfalls in care practice being missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered provider has failed to ensure that there are sufficient staff who are suitably trained and experienced and have the skills to meet the needs of the children, as set out in the statement of purpose. For example, staffing rotas showed that some staff work shifts of from 24-36 hours at a time without sleep. This is highly likely to render them unfit to manage children, especially a child who has complex behaviours and requires intense periods of focus, reflection and patience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered provider has not ensured that there is a suitably trained first aider on duty at all times.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been complaints from the neighbours due to damage caused to the operation of their business and distress to the community. The registered manager has responded to these complaints and is working on repairing these relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

External professionals raised concerns about the quality of care that the child received. The local authority removed the child from the home as they did not feel that the child was safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Despite the shortfalls found at this inspection, feedback from staff is positive. Staff say that they feel supported by senior leaders and that they have regular supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Due to the serious and widespread concerns found at this inspection, the registered provider was issued with a notice of suspension. This means that they cannot admit any Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 5 children to the home until Ofsted is satisfied that the concerns set out in this report have been addressed. Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 6

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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 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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the steps set out in the notice of suspension: 4 August 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 7  The registered provider must ensure that allegations and concerns are shared appropriately, without delay, with relevant agencies, including Ofsted, and investigated thoroughly. And:  Staff can demonstrate they take effective action when there are concerns for a child’s welfare.  Risk assessments are reviewed to reduce risks for children and help them understand how to be safer.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and 4 August 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 8 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the steps set out in the notice of suspension:  Demonstrate that staff have the skills, competence and capacity to deliver the care to the children as set out in the provider’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

And:  The registered provider must establish an effective system to ensure there is oversight and monitoring of children’s care.  Children receive good care.

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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

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d)) 4 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)) 4 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. (Regulation 19 (1))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to consequences used in relation to children’s behaviours. 4 August 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 9 The registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31 (2)(a)) 4 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). The requirements are that—

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure agency staff have been suitably vetted and original DBS certificates are verified for all staff working in the children’s home. 4 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure children have a healthy, balanced diet. 6 October 2024

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the child; 6 August 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 10 details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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a description of the measure and its duration;

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details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that all consequences used to support a child’s behaviour are recorded in line with the regulation.

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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: 2708482 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Offices rear of 93c, Upper Clapton Road, London E5 9BU

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Inspector

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2708482 12 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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