# KEYFORT North East

*Operated by KEYFORT Group Limited.*

KEYFORT North East is a CQC-regulated home-care agency in Gateshead.

## CQC Ratings

| Key question | Rating |
| --- | --- |
| Overall | Good |
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |

Rating published: 18/02/2026

## Practical info

- Postcode: NE11 0HF
- Registered manager: Cox, Sara
- Local authority: Gateshead
- Region: North East
- City: Gateshead
- Last CQC check: 18/Feb/2026 - 00:00

## Inspection findings

### Other

- Finding
  - Evidence: Regular six-monthly surveys and care plan audits supported ongoing quality improvement
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: The service declined work where it could not meet needs to the required standard, reflecting strong values
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: People were supported to access the community, maintain family relationships, and exercise choice in daily life
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust complaints procedure in place with evidence of learning and action taken following complaints
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: The registered manager fostered an ethos of quality and compassion, and was seen as a good leader by staff and service users
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Care plans were clear, concise, and kept up to date with involvement from people, relatives, and external professionals
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: The service developed a rapid response team to maintain continuity of care during staff shortages
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Medicines were managed safely with regular staff competency checks by senior staff
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff were well trained and received training specific to individual people's needs, including specialist professional input
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: People's care was delivered safely and in a way of their choosing, supporting independence and individual wishes
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- **communication_with_families** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: some staff of communication between office based staff and staff working with people could be improved
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- **supervision_appraisal** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: Feedback we received from some staff prior to the inspection was that they were not always receiving regular supervision or appraisal
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff felt motivated and proud to work for the organisation; manager described as approachable
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective multi-agency working with GPs, district nurses, physiotherapists and other community services
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Regular audits (weekly, monthly, quarterly) carried out by the registered manager
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Complaints policy in place with evidence of learning from concerns raised
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Care plans were person-centred, written respectfully and accessible via pictorial aids where needed
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: People were involved in decisions about their care and in recruiting their own support staff
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff received comprehensive induction including the Care Certificate and ongoing specialist training
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Medicines were managed safely with regular staff training and competency assessments
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Risk assessments were regularly reviewed and transferred into care plans
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: Safe recruitment practices followed and staff carried identity badges and were introduced before supporting people
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- Finding
  - Evidence: People felt safe with staff and trusted them; staffing levels were sufficient and deployment effective
  - Published: 2019-05-23
- **supervision_appraisal** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: some staff who provided 24-hour support to some people with complex care needs did not feel as supported by the service. The registered manager told us that this would be addressed.
  - Published: 2019-05-23

## Source

Data published by the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canonical page: https://homecarecompass.co.uk/agency/1-420923659

HomeCare Compass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the CQC.