Children's home run by Ivie Lodge Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2483881 1 Registered provider: Ivie Lodge Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately run and provides care for up to four children with social and/or emotional difficulties and children with learning disabilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 19 October 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2483881 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/10/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/06/2019 Full Good 19/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2483881 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive positive care and support from the staff team. An interim manager has been in post since March 2022. Significant improvements have been made in the quality of care children receive. The manager is committed to ensuring that children feel well supported and have their needs met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from a placing social worker is very positive. They state that the care shown to their child is ‘impressive’ and that the child has positive relationships with the staff. They report that communication is good and say that the child is experiencing lots of new things. This supports children to be happy and settled in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff develop carefully considered plans for children who are moving into the home and for those leaving. Children are welcomed in a planned, sensitive manner. One child who has recently moved in said, ‘Moving in was good. I like the staff, they are really nice.’ This helps children to develop a sense of belonging and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel listened to by the manager and staff. However, there is little evidence of children’s comments and views contributing to the running of the home and decisions about their care. This limits children’s participation in the day-to-day running of the home and the decisions that affect their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff motivate children to learn and encourage them to experience new things. Although the children do not yet have education placements, the manager is taking swift action and is working with involved agencies to identify suitable provisions as soon as possible. The manager understands the importance of children having good- quality education and remains focused on identifying provisions quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well considered and met by the team. Staff are supported by the organisation’s clinical psychologist. They provide regular consultation and advice on how to support children. The clinical psychologist also provides direct support to the children. This further promotes children’s health and emotional well-being.

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

The manager and staff understand children’s vulnerabilities. The staff ensure that children’s risk assessments contain up-to-date information. The staff plan for and respond well to children’s known and potential risks. This supports staff in taking action to keep children safe.

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

The staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Safeguarding training is appropriate for the current needs of the children. External Inspection report children’s home: 2483881 4 agencies attend staff meetings to support and discuss current safeguarding challenges and concerns in the wider community. Reflections and learning on safeguarding matters are also discussed in each staff member’s one-to-one meetings with their manager. This supports continued learning and development for the team.

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

When children go missing, the manager and staff follow the home’s protocols and procedures robustly. Recording of such incidents is detailed and clear. Staff search outside of the local area when a child goes missing. Staff go above and beyond their roles and responsibilities. It is evident they work closely and proactively with relevant agencies and professionals to support keeping children safe.

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

The recruitment of new staff is managed well and designed to safeguard children. Safe recruitment practices and protocols are followed. This means that new staff are only employed subject to clear vetting processes. This reduces the risk of unsuitable adults working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has been without a registered manager since September 2021. Several appointments have been made but have not been successful. However, an interim manager is now in post and has submitted their application to register. The interim manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She has successfully addressed the shortfalls identified at the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Quality assurance and monitoring systems are generally effective. However, monitoring systems have not included the oversight of all records and evidencing children’s views and feedback on the care they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff receive regular practice-based supervision. These sessions are reflective and include individual debriefs following incidents. The interim manager supports and challenges staff, in a thoughtful way, to support their progress and development. This helps staff to progress with their learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager has recruited a diverse team, which enriches the quality of care. Staff are supported by managers in their roles. They receive daily support and guidance. Some members of the team are new. Consequently, the interim manager is working hard to embed the ethos of the home to make sure that care is consistent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager has plans to continue to develop and improve the service further. She speaks with passion about the home and children and demonstrates a genuine commitment. The home needs decoration in some areas, and the garden would benefit from some improvement. Inspection report children’s home: 2483881 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. Children’s homes will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that children are actively encouraged to read their records and to add further information to them. They should be regularly reminded of their rights to see information kept about them and be given information about how they might be supported to access their records in later life. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6)  The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about their care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive

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Recommendations

ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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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: 2483881 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, 9 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3BE

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2483881 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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