Children's home run by Keys QTC Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2595983 1 Registered provider: Keys QTC Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care for up to six children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 6 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider operates a school on the same site. The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this site

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Inspection date: 25 February 2026

Date of last inspection: 2 September 2025

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Inspection date: 25 February 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 February 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors 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: 2595983 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

When children move into the home, their needs and risks are assessed appropriately. This ensures that staff can meet the needs of the children living together. However, when concerns arose regarding the placing authority’s plans for children’s futures, including the timing of their move on from the home, the manager’s actions to advocate for children were not clearly recorded.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use regular direct work sessions with children to discuss significant events, plan for upcoming changes, reflect on incidents and to support children to understand risks such as drug use and artificial intelligence.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been an increase in work completed with children to support them to explore their culture, heritage and religion. This helps children develop an understanding of their cultural background and to make informed decisions about their faith and beliefs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s support plans and risk assessments are detailed documents which contain all necessary information for staff to provide consistent care to children. These are routinely updated with any changes.

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Findings from the inspection

When children raise complaints or concerns about staff, these are responded to suitably. Children’s welfare is a priority throughout and where appropriate, children are informed of the outcome of their complaint. However, the manager does not consistently update the local authority designated officer (LADO) or Ofsted regarding ongoing safeguarding investigations. In addition to this, on one occasion the provider made a considered decision not to report a concern to the LADO, this limits transparency and external oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

When children have been missing from the home, staff have taken suitable action to search for them and work with relevant professionals to support a safe return home as quickly as possible. Staff complete follow up work with children to explore their views and wishes, and to share the dangers of being away from the home without permission. The manager has oversight of these reports and is reflective of staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

When it has been necessary to hold a child to keep them safe it has been reasonable and proportionate. Children and staff are supported to reflect on the incident and the hold after the incident. The manager has oversight of the incident and the effectiveness of the hold used is evaluated.

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Findings from the inspection

When conflicts arise between children, staff support each child appropriately and reinforce expectations. Risk management plans outline strategies to reduce further Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2595983 3 conflict. However, direct work and children’s meetings do not consistently take place to help children reflect on their behaviour or how to strengthen relationships between children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has introduced systems to support and improve his oversight of the home alongside a new electronic recording system. This enables him to identify shortfalls and drive improvements.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have completed a wide range of training to meet children’s specific and individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is clean and tidy. Children’s bedrooms reflect their individuality and have all the necessary furniture. However, one child’s bedroom has a bright emergency light which they attempted to cover themselves and some bedrooms do not have additional privacy covers where needed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2595983 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/06/2024 Full Good 27/06/2023 Full Good 15/11/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2595983 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that where the placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child’s needs. Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8)  The registered person should ensure that individual children are not subject to bullying from their peers. This means, each child should be provided with proactive direct work sessions that are planned based on children’s presenting needs and feelings. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.12)  The registered person should notify Ofsted and all relevant parties including the

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Recommendations

placing authority and the LADO of any allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. Notifications must be made without delay, and the home must provide timely updates as the situation progresses. Full transparency with the LADO is essential throughout the safeguarding process. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.) and support children’s privacy; however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2595983 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Thomas Cappleman

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Inspectors

Katie Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Samantha Cooper, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2595983 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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