Children's Home run by Keys Direct Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 1 SC419429

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Registered provider: Keys Direct Care Limited

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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 owned by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living in the home. Two children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to feel safe and secure at home. Despite an immediate tran- sition taking place for one child, thoughtful and child-centred actions were imple- mented to ensure the child felt comfortable and reassured. An age-appropriate and individualised children’s guide was completed promptly, and the manager remained at home throughout the weekend to provide stability and consistency for both the child and staff team. This approach supported a positive transition, and the child has continued to make progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making progress across all areas of their lives. Children are attending school and participating with education, reflecting improved routines and support. One child has made encouraging progress in their interactions with others and is working towards greater independence. Staff are more consistent in their approach, which is contributing to improved emotional support and increasing confidence for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a reduction in incidents involving children, demonstrating positive outcomes from the care provided. Staff use effective de-escalation strategies and have introduced therapeutic parenting approaches. This has helped children feel contained and supported. There have been no missing incidents, indicating appropri- ate supervision and safeguarding arrangements are in place.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s views and wishes are heard and appropriately documented. However, de- lays were identified in the timely actioning of complaints due to processes not being clearly established. While children were able to raise concerns, responses were not always provided within an appropriate timescale. Since this was identified, a revised complaints process has been introduced, resulting in clearer actions, improved ac- countability, and timely responses to children.

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Findings from the inspection

Care planning for one child requires further development. At the time of the visit, a clear plan for the child moving on was not yet in place, which is contributing to in- creased anxiety. This matter has not been escalated sufficiently, and this is impact- ing the child’s emotional wellbeing due to the uncertainty.

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Findings from the inspection

A small number of medication errors occurred within a short period of time. These were responded to promptly and robustly by the manager. Immediate action was taken to safeguard children, alongside appropriate learning, development, and, where required, further management action. The manager implemented innovative strategies to strengthen practice, which has resulted in no further medication errors.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding arrangements are generally effective. Allegation procedures are robust and clearly understood by staff. The manager has demonstrated appropriate profes- Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 3 sional curiosity and has acted in line with safeguarding procedures, ensuring con- cerns are promptly reported and learning and reflection is completed with the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention has been used with one child. The interventions were minimal and proportionate; however, the recording does not consistently detail the interven- tion used, the de-escalation strategies attempted beforehand or include timely man- agement evaluation. This did not fully meet regulatory recording requirements, and the shortfall was not immediately identified through management oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and stakeholders speak positively about the manager and the changes imple- mented. Communication is described as strong, and support for children is viewed very positively. The manager has a clear vision and ethos, with a strong focus on learning and development. Individual staff strengths and areas for development are recognised and supported. This approach is already filtering through the team, lead- ing to improved experiences and outcomes for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Some progress has been made towards meeting the requirements raised at the previous inspection. Two statutory requirements have been reinstated and will be reviewed at the next inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/07/2024 Full Good 29/02/2024 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 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, 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

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

details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate;

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Requirement Due date

Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)) 17 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 5 In particular, ensuring clear reports completed of the measure and reasons for the use and the registered managers oversight and evaluation completed within timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child's placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

In particular, children have planned and positive experiences of moving out of the home. Children need plans and preparation for moving into adulthood independent to their individual need. 17 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Direct Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC419429 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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