Children's Home run by Netpex Care Ltd in Lewisham

Inspection report for children's home: 2782452 1 Registered provider: Netpex Care Ltd.

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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 privately run children’s home provides care for up to three children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of inspection.

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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: 25 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2782452 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/02/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2782452 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are passionate and dedicated in their care of children. They have strong relationships with the children and ensure that children have positive experiences. These experiences and memories are captured in weekly reports and shared with people that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Each child receives consistent one-to-one support from staff who know them well and have a good understanding of their individual needs. Staff are skilled at recognising and responding with a range of communication methods, including pictures, signs and gestures used by children who do not communicate verbally. This is a key strength and skill of the staff team. They ensure that children’s views and wishes are listened to and acted on in all aspects of their care, enabling children to be involved in day-to-day decisions that affect them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise that change can be challenging for children. Moves into the home are carefully planned and managed to support children. Before agreeing to a new admission, the registered manager considers the needs of the children already living in the home and completes a thorough assessment of all children’s needs. Key people are involved in the moving-in process to ensure that familiar and comforting items are brought with children when they move in. This thoughtful approach helps children to settle and feel comfortable in their home. Staff also ensure that children feel comfortable outside of the home. One child recently went on holiday with staff, and their holiday bedroom was replicated to match the home environment, providing them with a sense of continuity and reassurance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children are offered a range of activities that promote fun, learning and independence. Activities are carefully planned to reflect each child’s individual needs and interests. For example, children have access to their favourite books, colouring materials and sensory toys to support stimulation and relaxation. They also take part in activities that promote independence, such as cooking, shopping and assisting staff with doing laundry.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in education. Since the last inspection, one child who had begun online learning has progressed to face-to-face tuition. The other child attends school, and teachers praised the commitment of the staff in how they support the child to reach their full potential and make positive progress in education.

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

Staff support children on a one-to-one basis. As a result, there is a high level of supervision of children, which means that staff can safeguard them and others in the home and in the community. Inspection report for children's home: 2782452 4 Staff are alert to children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Children’s risk assessments are effective and include strategies on how to reduce the risk of harm. Behaviour support plans are linked to these risk assessments to help and guide staff on how best to support children.

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

Staff understand children’s complex needs. They are professionally curious, and they explore children’s behaviours and triggers to find the best ways to support them during and after incidents. Incidents in the home are minimal and are managed well. Debriefs with staff and children following incidents are important, as are reflective staff meetings, to share best practice.

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

Staff receive a wide range of training to ensure that they can support children. This includes specialist training in the Picture Exchange Communication System and the use of social stories, as well as essential training in safeguarding, first aid and medication management. As a result, staff are able to provide consistent and safe care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led and managed by a committed registered manager, who knows the children well and is invested in ensuring that high standards of care are maintained. The registered manager leads with warmth and empathy, which positively influences and inspires the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the registered manager. They said that she is supportive and wants them to develop and learn. The registered manager creates an open culture in the home. As a result, staff morale is high, and they enjoy their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Important people in the children’s lives praise managers and staff. They feel that staff want the best for the children and always try their hardest to support them. The children’s social workers said that children have made good progress, have settled in well and are enjoying living in the home. Other professionals and important people to children confirm that leaders and managers advocate for children to ensure that their needs are met and maintain a child-focused approach. They place children at the centre of all communication and decision-making. They also said that leaders and managers keep them informed so that they can work together to support children in the best possible way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from an effective probation process. This allows leaders and managers to monitor performance, ensure good practice and address any shortfalls promptly. Staff supervision further supports reflection and professional development. However, while the home has a comprehensive induction when staff start, it is not consistently completed and does not ensure that staff are fully prepared for their role from the onset. Inspection report for children's home: 2782452 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice and that staff receive sufficient training and support throughout the induction period. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 2782452 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 20 Heathland Road, London N16 5NH

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Inspector

Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2782452 7 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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