News Article

Keys Group, which provides care, education, and support for children, young people, and adults with complex needs across England and Wales, has completed its fourth acquisition of the year.

It has acquired CF Group, an established independent tutoring and mentoring organisation. A spokesman for the group said: “This addition strengthens our ability to offer the widest possible range of educational opportunities for children and young people. From specialist school-based learning to flexible, innovative alternative provisions delivered both in person and online, CF Group’s services align closely with our mission to provide the right learning pathway for every child.”

CF Group will join Key’s Children’s and Education divisions. The organisation delivers tutoring and mentoring services, predominantly through face-to-face sessions across East Anglia, and also operates four residential children’s homes in Suffolk. In addition, it provides independent social work assessments.

Keys Group already operates more than 25 specialist schools and 180 residential children’s homes across England and Wales. The tutoring and mentoring services offered by CF Group will enhance Key’s established alternative learning options, which include its hybrid education model ALFA (Alternative Learning For All) and development programmes.

Emma Beech, Chief Operating Officer at Keys Group, said: “For some children, traditional classroom-based learning is simply not an option. That’s why making sure we have the broadest possible range of alternative ways of engaging with learning – including the fantastic tutoring and mentoring offered by CF – is so important. Alternative provisions such as tutoring and mentoring give even more children a chance to learn, and we’re very excited to add these valuable services to our offer.”

Tutoring and mentoring services will initially be available across the East of England—from the North-East to the South-East—with plans to expand nationally over time.

This acquisition follows several recent additions to the Keys Group portfolio. Earlier this year, Keys Group acquired ADHD360, a fast-growing provider of ADHD assessment and treatment services across the UK. A Candesic team led by Senior Partner Michelle Tempest supported Keys Group with that transaction.

Other recent acquisitions include Mable, which delivers virtual speech and language therapy in partnership with schools, multi-academy trusts, local authorities and families, and Embleton View School, a specialist learning environment in County Durham.

Ross Evans, CF Group Managing Director, said: “This is a fantastic step forward for our growing business. Keys Group is a well-established and respected organisation that shares our passion for delivering high-quality outcomes for children and young people. We believe this partnership is an excellent fit, aligning perfectly with our values and vision for the future.”