New Key Support Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 1 New Key Support Ltd

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Registered provider: New Key Support Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

A private provider operates this service. It offers accommodation for up to 8 children in self-contained units specifically for the sole use of one child. The service also offers 3 shared or group living homes, which are limited to accommodating looked after children or care leavers, for up to 8 children.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, 11 looked-after children or care leavers, aged 16 and 17, were using the service.

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provider

The registered manager, who is also the nominated individual, registered with Ofsted when the service was registered in July 2024.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a full inspection from 9 to 13 February 2026, in line with the social care common inspection framework. During the inspection, the inspectors identified serious and widespread shortfalls in the leadership and management of the service, children’s support arrangements and the standard of accommodation. Ofsted issued 3 compliance notices as a result of that inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the progress made to meet the actions detailed in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have developed and implemented a new statement of purpose that describes their revised admissions procedures. The procedure requires managers to consider if children are ready to live in supported accommodation. However, the statement of purpose does not clearly describe the characteristics of children who the provider will admit into the premises. Due to no new children Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 2 moving into the premises Ofsted are unable to assess the effectiveness of the revised admissions procedure and will keep this under review.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have carried out an audit of current staff members recruitment records. They have identified gaps in the required checks and retrospectively requested, or sought, the relevant information required to assure themselves that staff are safe to work with children. They have revised their organisational policy to ensure that future employees are recruited safely.

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This monitoring visit

A review of mandatory training has been carried out. Leaders and managers have implemented training in subject areas relevant to the needs of the children living in the service. For example, all staff have completed LGBTQ, exploitation and Prevent training. This helps to ensure that staff understand the needs of children and have the skills to keep children safe and meet their individual needs.

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This monitoring visit

Simillaly, when new staff join the organisation, they now receive induction training in topics such as safeguarding before they carry out any direct work with the children. This allows new staff to learn the skills and knowledge they need to carry out their roles and responsibilities to good effect.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have designed tools to help children think about their goals, aspirations and areas for development. They are currently being trialled with a small number of children to ensure they are both appropriate and effective. The impact of these tools could not be fully assessed during the visit. Ofsted will keep this under review.

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This monitoring visit

Fire risk assessments have been carried out by a suitably skilled and experienced consultant. However, none of the final reports have been received for the manager to review. Weekly health and safety checks carried out by staff members in each premises. This helps leaders and managers to understand where health and safety matters arise and take prompt action to resolve these.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have taken sufficient action to address the actions detailed in the compliance notices. However, some systems and policies are not yet embedded in practice. Ofsted has raised requirements as a result of this inspection. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 3

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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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the ‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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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 supported accommodation undertaking that puts children first and prioritises their wellbeing and development.

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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 supported accommodation undertaking in a way that is consistent with the ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the undertaking's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

implement recruitment practices that ensure staff are suitable to work with children and to keep them safe from harm(1);

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Requirement Due date

ensure that arrangements are in place to manage referrals of children to the supported accommodation undertaking and admissions of children to premises used as supported accommodation, including, where relevant, emergency referrals and admissions;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that arrangements are in place for the supervision, training and development of staff;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the skills necessary to support children to identify, access and receive their entitlements in a way that helps them to learn to identify, access and receive their entitlements independently in the future. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)(e)(f)(g)(i)) 29 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met. 29 May 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 4 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

have their individual needs met. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

The accommodation standard is that children experience a comfortable and secure living environment.

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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

ensure that the premises used as supported accommodation—

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Requirement Due date

comply with all relevant statutory provisions dealing with health and safety or fire safety matters. (Regulation 6 (1) (2)(b)(x)) 29 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The support standard is that children receive individual and tailored support that meets their needs.

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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

ensure that children are encouraged and enabled to take a lead role in determining the support they receive and to participate in and influence how the supported accommodation operates;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that plans for support are based on initial referral information, are meaningful and are created in full consultation with the child, taking account of relevant plans for the child;

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Requirement Due date

keep the child's support under review, taking into consideration the plans for support, and relevant plans, to ensure that the child's needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe. 29 May 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 5 engage and work with the accommodating authority if the registered person has concerns or if the child's support needs to be changed, including where that change may mean that the child requires more intensive support;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that children are supported to access education, training or employment. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(m))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: New Key Support Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 7-8 Upper Norfolk Street, North Shields NE30 1PT

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Charles Shipley

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Inspector

Beth Forster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: New Key Support Ltd 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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