Children's home run by Ivory Cottage Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2525831 1

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Ivory Cottage Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted on 6 June 2019. It is registered to provide residential care for up to four young people, aged between eight and 17 years old. The home is owned by a private provider and offers medium- and long-term placements to young people who have complex emotional and behavioural needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager recently left the service. He is in the process of applying to Ofsted to voluntarily cancel his registration. An interim manager is managing the home.

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This monitoring visit

A serious incident occurred in the community, which allegedly involved a young person who lives at the home. The purpose of the monitoring inspection was to explore the circumstances surrounding this incident and consider whether the home had taken sufficient action in response to what had happened.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, two young people lived at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found some shortfalls in respect of care planning. For example, the decision to place a second young person was made without full consideration of the potential risks to and from the young person already living at the home. As a result, soon after moving in, the young person had to be cared for away from the home. This did not provide him with the opportunity to properly settle in and with the stability that he needed. In addition, one young person was allowed to spend a significant amount of time in the community without adequate supervision. Given the risks to the young person’s and other people’s safety, the arrangements for this were not fully considered as part of care planning. This left the young person at an increased risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

There have been significant staff changes since the home was registered. This Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2525831 2 includes the departure of the registered manager, responsible individual and some staff. The provider is actively recruiting a new manager and has satisfactory interim management arrangements in place. A new responsible individual is to be appointed imminently. Despite these changes, the home has enough staff to care for two young people. The director is overseeing the management of the home and will not be considering any new referrals until the care plans are clear for the young people who currently live at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Not all staff receive regular supervision. This means that staff do not have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their practice. Since the registered manager left, this situation is improving but these changes need to be embedded. The staff have a good training plan and are provided with suitable knowledge to care for young people. The staff team is new, and this knowledge also needs time to be embedded. Effective supervision, training and management oversight will support the development of staff.

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This monitoring visit

Young people have engaged in positive activities with staff, including going to the gym, bowling and cooking. These opportunities enable young people to build confidence while having fun.

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This monitoring visit

The staff manage incidents of challenging behaviour successfully, using strategies led by young people. This helps young people to manage their feelings and emotions more appropriately when engaging with the staff.

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This monitoring visit

The home is decorated to a high standard and has adequate space and facilities. The staff sleeping-in rooms are located on the ground and top floors. All young people’s bedrooms are on the middle floor and bedroom door alarms are installed, which can be used at night. However, the alarm system means that all bedroom doors are alarmed, regardless of young people’s individual risks, and cannot be isolated. This does not allow for individualised care based on the circumstances of each young person living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager and directors have made effective decisions after the serious incident allegedly involving a young person living at the home. There is an effective specific safety plan. This has enabled them to protect young people and staff. Staff have updated young people’s risk assessments and placement plans to reflect current risks and needs. Managers and staff are working closely with relevant agencies, including the police and placing authority, to manage a difficult situation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

Not applicable Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2525831 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)) 30/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if— the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children; the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(d)) 30/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 34 (4)(d)) 30/09/2019

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of the monitoring inspection was to explore the circumstances surrounding an incident and consider whether the home had taken sufficient action.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tamworth Enterprise Centre, Philip Dix House, Corporation Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7DN

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Jack Cudworth Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2525831 4

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Inspector

Jo Warburton, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2525831 5 to 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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