Children's Home run by Ivory Cottage Limited in Warwickshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 1 Registered provider: Ivory Cottage Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager is vacant.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the assurance inspection on 22 March 2023, serious concerns were identified in relation to the care or protection of children at the home. As a result, Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard).

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

The care of children

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. The children are settled and have developed positive relationships with the staff. During the inspection, the inspector observed warm interactions between the children and the staff. One child told the inspector that they like living at the home.

p.2

The care of children

Since the last inspection, one child has had a planned move out of the home. Staff worked hard to make this a positive experience for the child. The staff have remained in contact with the child to ensure that they have continued support.

p.2

The care of children

The home is spacious and well maintained. Since the last inspection, some areas of the home have been decorated. During the inspection, one child was excited about redecorating her bedroom.

p.2

The care of children

All children are registered with health services for their routine health requirements. The staff team has now received the required training to support one child with a complex health need. This ensures that the child receives care in line with her needs.

p.2

The safety of children

Leaders and managers have created safety and behaviour management plans for the children. These plans provide staff with clear information to ensure that risks to the children are reduced. Managers provide effective oversight of the plans.

p.2

The safety of children

When children have gone missing from the home, staff have worked effectively with other professionals, such as the police, to ensure that the children are returned home safely. On their return, staff speak to the children about their experiences of being away from home. Children can also speak with an independent person, and information gathered from these discussions is used to prevent further incidents.

p.2

The safety of children

One child is at risk of self-harming. Staff are effective at managing such behaviours as they know the child well and can identify changes in the child’s behaviour which may indicate that there is an increased risk of self-harm. This is helping to reduce self-harming behaviours.

p.2

The safety of children

On one occasion, when a child made a complaint, the manager did not write to the child to inform them of the outcome of their complaint. This is not in line with the home’s complaints policy and does not provide a clear outcome to the child following their complaint. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 3

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has not had a registered manager since March 2022. A manager was appointed and had applied to Ofsted to register. However, they have withdrawn their application and resigned from their post. The provider appointed a replacement manager; however, they have left the role. A new manager has been appointed. He is yet to submit his application to register with Ofsted.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, staff have completed a wide range of training. Training is now specific to children’s needs. This means that the staff team has developed the relevant knowledge and skills to be able to meet children’s needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Team meetings have taken place with the staff team. Leaders and managers have used the meetings to provide additional support and training for staff around safeguarding. This has helped to further equip staff to meet the children’s needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have worked hard to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. They and the staff team are committed to improving the quality of care and protection children receive. As a result, progress has been made and the compliance notices have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 5

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff encourage children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support and without fear that this will result in an adverse consequence. The registered person should ensure that there is a complaints procedure and children must be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.13) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ivory Cottage Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ivory Cottage Limited, Skytax, 37th Floor, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AA

p.6

Inspector

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586067 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7