New Key Support Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: 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 supported accommodation service. The service can accommodate up to 5 children in self-contained units specifically for the sole use of one child. The service can also accommodate up to 8 children in 3 shared or group living homes, which are limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, 8 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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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 20 July 2026 and started that day. The inspectors were on site from 22 to 24 July 2026.

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Outcome

Consistently strong service delivery leads to typically positive experiences and progress for children. Where improvements are needed, leaders and managers take timely and effective action. The next inspection will be within approximately 3 years.

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Summary of findings

Children’s needs are thoroughly assessed before their placements are agreed. Their known needs are reflected in their support plans and their risk assessments, and this helps staff to understand how to effectively support children from the day they move into the premises. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: New Key Support Ltd 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children move into the service in a planned way. They are given information about the service and what is on offer before they decide if they would like to live there. In addition, for some children, they can choose the model of support that they would like to receive, for example living in their own home or living with other children in a group home. This demonstrates that children have autonomy over their support arrangements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are encouraged to take a lead role in designing their support. They use a tool to help them think about areas where they need help to learn new skills and how to recognise those areas where their skills are secure. Staff work closely with children to develop these agreed skills during regular direct work sessions. As a result, children learn the skills they require in preparation for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children’s linguistic and cultural needs are met and understood from the day that they move into the premises. The staff ensure that children are aware of the cultural shops and places of worship in the local community. They ensure that children have the resources they need to follow their religion, such as douches, pray mats and religious literature. This helps children to quickly develop a sense of identity in their local community and follow their religion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children live in premises that are now well maintained and carefully designed. For example, in group living homes, children have access to two ovens and two hobs. This ensures that children who have different culinary needs can cook and socialise while maintaining their own individual dietary requirements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children’s records are not always recorded in a style that is sensitive to the children’s needs or experiences. For example, some records reflect a cause and affect style of writing. They are not addressed to the child in a personal or meaningful manner.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff talk confidently about the children’s individual needs, their past experiences and how they impact on children. They can describe the support they provide to children to help them to stay safe and live fulfilling lives. However, children’s plans do not reflect the same level of detail. This may hinder new or temporary staff’s ability to meet children’s needs.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff have solid knowledge around ensuring that children have access to legal advice and services. This is particularly pertinent for children who are seeking asylum. Furthermore, staff are aware and empathetic around the uncertainty and anxiety that this creates for these children. However, the children’s written records do not entirely reflect the emotional intelligence that staff clearly demonstrate.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers have carried out a review of existing staff members’ suitability to work with children. This was following concerns about poor recruitment Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: New Key Support Ltd 3 practice raised in a previous inspection. The registered service manager and his senior staff have identified and addressed gaps and risks in recruitment checks. This demonstrates that the revised recruitment procedures are effective and children are supported by staff who have been assessed as suitable and safe to carry on their roles.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children rarely go missing from their home, but when they do, staff do not always consider the child’s age or personal circumstances. Instead, they report them missing to the police. Children told staff and managers that this frustrates them. In addition, records do not always contain known information about children’s vulnerabilities. This hinders other agency’s ability to understand risks to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Ofsted inspected this service in September 2025, February 2026 and March 2026. Since these inspections, leaders and managers have taken meaningful and sustainable actions to improve the services and address the previous areas of concern.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager now has good oversight of the service through new monitoring systems. He is able to identify areas where changes or developments are required and keep abreast of matters directly relating to children. The introduction of a new recording systems enables the registered service manager to review children’s records and serious incidents. Their oversight generates change that contributes to children having positive experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Systems are now in place to cascade information to all staff. This means that gaps or shortfalls in practice are quickly identified and addressed. The registered service manager is aware that further work and attention are required around recording to ensure that children’s records are consistently reflective of their needs and written in a style that is helpful to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager has introduced a new admissions procedure to enable him to identify children who are ready to live in supported accommodation. The registered service manager demonstrates confidence when carrying out this assessment and works collaboratively with social workers and other agencies to gather information to inform his decision. This means that children who move into the service have the skills they need to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers actively address staff development. Internal workshops and skill building opportunities, such as becoming mentors or ‘buddies’, are utilised well by the register service manager. This is complemented by external training from consultants in areas that reflect the needs of the children living in the service. As a result, staff have the skills to carry out their roles effectively. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: New Key Support Ltd 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 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 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

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. (Regulation 7 (1)(2)(c)) 30 September 2026

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, 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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: New Key Support Ltd 5

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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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Inspectors

Beth Forster, Social Care Inspector Steve Guirey, Social Care Inspector Vikki Thwaites, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: New Key Support Ltd 6 regulates and inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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