Children's Home run by Keys Child Care Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Ltd

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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 is registered to care for 8 children who may have emotional, behavioural or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 4 children living at the home at the time of the inspection. Their views were sought during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 2

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Summary of findings

This is the home’s first full inspection. Four children are living at the home. They are very settled and making good progress in important areas of their lives. Children benefit from a very comfortable and spacious home with access to an exciting range of activities. They enjoy time alone and with their peers. The manager and staff have built positive relationships with the children which is helping them to build trust and accept boundaries. The manager has been busy establishing the home and developing a large staff team. This has adversely impacted on their oversight of some areas of practice. Managers are responding to this following the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Four boys have moved in since registration. They are benefiting from a beautifully furnished and well-maintained home. Detailed planning is undertaken prior to children moving in. As a result, children settle quickly. They enjoy each other’s company through outdoor activities and gaming. Children have good routines and regularly eat together with the staff. Children experience stability which is helping them to thrive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have developed positive relationships with children through consistent kindness and compassion. They help children develop new interests. One child has recently joined a football team. Another is supported with their love of reading. Consequently, children grow in confidence and their self-esteem increases.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress with their education and emotional wellbeing. School attendance is very good, and children are motivated to learn. Bespoke arrangements are in place to maximise their potential. One child has an individual tutor which is helping them with their academic progress. Another child said they have changed their behaviour in school because of the support they have received.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff help children develop independence skills, such as cooking, laundry and self-care They attend appointments and take part in important meetings. This helps them to advocate for themselves and learn how to make age-appropriate decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. They receive timely support with their medical needs. Healthy lifestyles are promoted and children enjoy fresh air, exercise alongside rest and relaxation. One child has given up ‘vaping’ and other children are beginning this journey. Children are encouraged to take pride in their appearance which is having a positive impact.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff keep detailed records of children’s lives. They are sensitively written. However, children are not yet having regular access to these records. This limits Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 3 opportunities for children to contribute to the ongoing documentation should they wish to do so.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The managers and staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities well. There are carefully considered safety plans in place. Children are subject to some imposed restrictions which are managed sensitively yet keep children safe. Children accept these boundaries from the staff with little challenge. Staff promote a calm atmosphere in the home which helps children to feel relaxed.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have raised concerns about staff on 2 occasions. One child has made a recent allegation which is currently being investigated. This had not been reported to the manager prior to the inspection. However, this allegation has been responded to immediately. The delay in reporting has not affected children’s safety. Managers understand the need for closer oversight of children’s daily records to ensure that any concerns are identified in a timely way.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children say they feel safe and have trusted adults to talk to. There are examples where children have shared their worries and vulnerabilities with staff and received good support. The in-house clinical team provide specialist support to children through direct. This is in the early stages and is beginning to have a positive impact. The staff are also supported by the clinical team which informs their day-to-day care of the children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment for children which meets their physical and emotional needs. Children do not go missing from the home, and there is minimal conflict. Children learn to manage their problems constructively. Situations do not escalate when children experience difficult feelings.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are recruited safely through required vetting procedures. This prevents children from being cared for by unsuitable adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and leads the team with confidence. Staff have high aspirations for the children and the home. The manager has positive relationships with the children and nurtures their interests. The home is new, with areas for development. The manager and responsible individual have plans in place to make the required improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have recruited a diverse staff team. There is a mix of new and experienced staff. Overall, they are working together well and there is a positive atmosphere in the home. Managers have recognised some areas for development which are being addressed through training and reflection on practice. When new staff join, they receive a positive induction and learn from their colleagues. Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 4 Managers ensure that staff receive specialist training to meet children’s needs effectively. Staff say that the training is frequent and helpful. The team benefits from regular supervision which they find useful. However, the quality of supervision records is mixed. This has been identified as an area for development to increase consistency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has spent a considerable amount of time developing staff so that children experience good care. This has adversely affected their oversight of other management tasks, such as reviewing children’s records and staff supervision notes. The manager was not aware of the content of some records until the inspection. Managers are taking action to ensure that there are systems in place to address this shortfall.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have established positive working relationships with professionals. They provided excellent feedback about the home saying the team is ‘amazing’ and ‘we cannot fault them’. Children’s families also reported similar views. They provided tangible examples of children’s progress since moving to the home. This is a significant achievement in a short space of time which demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the whole team. Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 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 children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is regular management oversight of records in relation to children’s daily lives and staff supervision sessions. 20 October 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are actively encouraged to read their records and to add further information to them. They should be regularly reminded of their rights to see information kept about them and be given information about how they might be supported to access their records in later life. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6). Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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 Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Child Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Thomas Cappleman

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2873815 8 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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