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

Inspection report children's home: 2720366 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home providing care for up to 4 children. The home aims to support children’s social, emotional and mental well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 4 children living at the home at the time of this inspection, 3 of the children were spoken with. One child has moved in, and 1 child has moved out since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023. They are currently on extended leave. An interim manager has been appointed. She has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 5 November 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2720366 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/11/2025 Full Good 29/05/2024 Full Good 31/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children's home: 2720366 3

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Summary of findings

Staff have developed excellent relationships with children which creates a secure foundation for children that helps them to prepare for the future. The children are safe and happy living at the home. Staff have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures. Leaders and managers are committed to developing staff to provide outstanding care and support for children. Communication between staff, parents and professionals is excellent, this means children receive a bespoke high standard of individualised care and support that helps them to flourish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have exceptionally well-planned moves in and out of the home. Staff create bespoke plans to help children settle into the home and successfully move out of the home. This has greatly contributed to the success of children’s time at the home and prepared children for adult life. One parent said the staff get ‘top marks’ for how they prepared their child to move on, and they could not have asked for more.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff fully understand the importance of routine and structure for children. They strongly advocate for children and promote their education. This has provided children with suitable educational opportunities. Children’s educational attendance significantly increased when they came to live at the home. The staff take an interest in the children’s education. All children have made exceptional progress from their starting points, particularly with their education and independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have responded swiftly to children’s requests. They have sought clubs and experiences that children enjoy. These include football club, rugby clubs, parties, horse riding, local holidays and holidays abroad. For many of the children, these new experiences have helped develop their confidence and self-worth. Staff create memory books for children filled with reminders of special times and achievements at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

For most of the children, this is their first time living in a children’s home. Staff understand children’s past experiences. The staff take their roles in children’s lives very seriously. Staff are unquestionably committed to helping children achieve their potential. Feedback from a parent was exceptionally positive, a parent said, ‘They [the staff] really care about children, every single one of them, I wish every children’s home was like this’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children develop highly trusting relationships with staff. Caring relationships between staff and children provide children with a strong and secure foundation. Feedback from children is overwhelmingly positive, one child said the best thing about living at the home was the staff, ‘because they really care about us.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Where safe and appropriate the staff work hard to ensure that children spend meaningful time with family, allowing them to maintain important family relationships. Inspection report children's home: 2720366 4 This includes family days where children’s families visit the home to spend time with staff and children. These days have been incredibly successful, generating positive feedback from both children and their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have created a warm and welcoming home that provides a family feel. Children enjoy a pleasant home with spacious communal rooms, sensory areas and highly personalised bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to engage with and give back to the community. Staff and children hosted and took part in a charity event that raised money for charity. This helps children to develop a sense of fulfilment.

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

Children feel safe and supported. They are safer because of the care they receive. Staff have completed safeguarding training and have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures and whistleblowing. They know how to follow these procedures if necessary.

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

Professionals and parents are extremely positive about the safeguarding practices at the home. They spoke with enthusiasm about how well the staff know the children and understand their needs which, in turn, contributes to their safety.

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

There has been no missing from home incidents or allegations against staff since the last inspection, this is a significant reduction in incidents which is directly attributable to the positive and secure relationships staff have built with the children.

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

Children know how to complain, when children complain, these complaints are effectively managed and responded to.

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

The staff’s understanding and awareness of children have significantly contributed to there being no need for any physical interventions since the last inspection. Staff have training on appropriate restraint techniques. They are highly skilled in de-escalation strategies to respond to children’s anxieties.

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

Staff and managers support children to understand their behaviour through key-work sessions. The staff have an excellent approach to reinforcing positive behaviour. When incidents occur, staff use positive reinforcement, consequences are rare, however, when they have been issued, they are proportionate and non-punitive.

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

Children benefit from robust, detailed assessments and care plans that provide staff with clear guidance across all areas of need, including daily routines, behaviour management and safeguarding considerations. The plans are regularly reviewed and consistently followed, ensuring that staff have a thorough understanding of each child’s individual triggers, vulnerabilities and aspirations. This enables staff to respond effectively and maintain children’s safety. Staff strike an appropriate balance between protecting children from harm and promoting their development, supporting them to take measured risks that build confidence, resilience and independence. Inspection report children's home: 2720366 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is currently on extended leave. An experienced manager from within the organisation has been appointed and has submitted an application to register with Ofsted. The leadership team is highly effective, knowledgeable and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children. The new manager knows the children exceptionally well, brings a wealth of experience to the role and leads by example in all aspects of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers inspire and motivate staff to strive for excellence. Their high expectations are reflected throughout the home and contribute to the consistently high standard of care provided to children. The staff team shares these ambitions and demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for every child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have established a deeply reflective and learning-focused culture, where practice is regularly evaluated and continuously improved. This approach promotes professional development, strengthens practice and ensures that children receive nurturing, highly individualised care that meets their needs and helps them to thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have an excellent understanding of children’s journeys, along with the support that they need to achieve. As a result, staff feel confident and equipped to perform their roles exceptionally well. Staff speak highly of the management’s commitment and support. Staff benefit from regular purposeful supervision sessions and annual appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff build incredibly positive relationships with external agencies and parents. One social worker said, ‘The manager is fair and a strong advocate for the children in her care.’ An education professional said, ‘The manager and deputy are wonderful and absolutely have the best interests of the young people at heart.’ Another education professional said, ‘The home have been brilliant, I think they are providing an extraordinary service for [Child’s name].

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers use highly effective systems for auditing and monitoring records. When shortfalls are identified, the manager uses this as an opportunity to implement improvements and shares these with the wider team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is innovative, creating opportunities for herself and staff to develop through regular team meetings and additional training. During some staff meetings, workshops take place. These workshops and additional training have developed the staff’s understanding and knowledge and enhances the care they provide to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been raised following this inspection. Inspection report children's home: 2720366 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 children's home: 2720366 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Anver Rose, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2720366 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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