Keys Care for Children provides safe, nurturing residential homes for children and young people who are unable to live with their families. These homes offer stability, warmth and personalised support during important stages of a child’s life.

Keys homes are designed to feel like welcoming family homes, not just places to live. They are warm, safe environments where caring, trained staff build strong relationships with young people and support their day-to-day needs.

Every child is treated as an individual, with their unique experiences, strengths and needs shaping the care they receive. Staff work closely with each young person to create routines, build trust and help them feel secure.

Keys carefully matches each child to the most suitable home, based on a detailed understanding of their needs, experiences and risks. This ensures the environment, staff team and support approach are the right fit from the start.

Keys homes support children with a range of needs, including:

• Social, emotional and mental health needs

• Trauma and attachment difficulties

• Risk of exploitation

• Complex behaviours

• Learning disabilities and autism (in specialist homes)

Trauma-informed care means staff understand how early life experiences can affect a child’s behaviour and emotions. They use compassionate, relationship-based approaches to help children feel safe, build trust and regulate their emotions.

Keys Connect is the organisation’s therapeutic model of care. It helps staff use consistent, relational approaches to support emotional wellbeing, build trust and promote positive development.

Alongside residential staff, young people can access:

• Psychologists, therapists and clinicians

• Specialist Advisors supporting areas like safeguarding, substance misuse and self-injury

• Expert guidance on complex behaviours and risk management

This joined-up approach ensures consistent, well-rounded support.

Keys supports children to engage in learning in ways that suit their needs. This may include:

• Attending local mainstream or specialist schools

• Accessing Keys’ own SEND schools

• Remote learning or alternative provision through Inclusion Pathways

Over 95% of Keys residential homes are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, including several homes with multiple consecutive Outstanding ratings.

Referrals to Keys Care for Children are typically made by local authorities, including social workers and placement teams, who are responsible for finding appropriate care for children and young people. Keys works closely with these professionals to understand each child’s needs and ensure they are matched with the most suitable home and support.