Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 1 SC363422

p.1

Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a large national organisation and provides care for up to 3 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is vacant. A new manager has recently been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. One child was spoken with as part of the inspection.

p.1

Inspection date: 27 January 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 27 January 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: SC363422 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children are making progress with their emotional wellbeing. They are more accepting of support from staff. Children are becoming calmer and more settled over time, indicating increased feelings of safety and stability. Staff have supported children to build secure relationships, and this had a positive impact on children’s ability to manage their feelings.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children remain at the centre of care-planning decisions. Some moves have been planned and others have occurred unexpectedly. Staff have demonstrated thoughtful and child-focused approaches to ensure that children feel supported. This has contributed to successful transitions, with children settling well and beginning to develop trusting and positive relationships.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are explored regularly and are clearly evidenced as being listened to and acted upon. Staff provide children with dedicated one-to-one time and appropriate space to express their emotions and share their experiences. This supports children to feel valued and respected.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention has been used appropriately and proportionately when required, and any challenges have been reviewed with the team and trainer. This has provided additional support, and amendments have been put in place where required. However, recording of interventions has not always been clear. There have been delays in manager evaluations and staff debrief discussions, delaying effective oversight and opportunities for learning.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The consistency of staff practice is improved. Greater attention to how children are spoken about and recorded in written documentation is evident. Despite this progress, some staff continue to find it difficult to manage their own emotions when supporting children’s behaviours. This is not always reflected appropriately and consistently in care records.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Where a child has expressed suicidal ideation, there has not been clear guidance for staff to follow. This has resulted in delayed responses, as planning has not been sufficiently individualised to meet the child’s needs at times of heightened risk.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There has been a clear focus on reflection, learning and development within the staff team. This has been supported through regular team meetings and supervision sessions. The manager has monitored practice effectively, identifying areas for improvement. Training has been prioritised to ensure staff have the skills and confidence to meet children’s individual needs and manage behaviours consistently. This has strengthened staff capability and improved some level of consistency in practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/02/2025 Full Outstanding 05/03/2024 Full Outstanding 14/11/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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;

p.4

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.4

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(vi))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risks to children, particularly regarding self-harm, and the actions staff are to take to minimise the risk are clear and consistent. These should be individualised to each child’s needs. 24 March 2026

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when communicating and recording information about children, staff use language that affirms a child’s identity and dignity and avoid terms that may feel stigmatising. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that all records of restraint are reviewed to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 5 practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care.

p.4

Recommendations

Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and ensure care and records for children are consistently in line with the home’s ethos and statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7