Children's home run by Ivie Lodge Limited

Inspection report for 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 is a privately run home that can care for up to 3 children with social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, the same 3 children remain living at the home. The inspector spoke with 2 of the 3 children during the inspection.

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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: 10 September 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2024 Full Outstanding 04/07/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Good 19/10/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2483881 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children receive very individualised care, and the staff have a good understanding of their needs. However, children’s experiences of living in the home vary. One child reported feeling happy and enjoying trusting, meaningful relationships with staff, while another child does not feel well cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to pursue their individual hobbies and interests, including activities such as badminton and guitar lessons. They also take part in holidays with staff to destinations abroad and at home. These opportunities broaden children’s experiences and help to develop their confidence and self ‑ esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff meet children’s health needs well. The manager and staff are strong advocates and ensure that children receive the necessary health assessments and treatments. For example, one child requires surgery to reduce health risks, and the manager has been instrumental in securing a date for the procedure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children make positive progress in their education, considering their individual starting points. For example, one child has achieved well in English and mathematics examinations and continues to make steady progress across other subjects. Staff adopt creative and flexible approaches to supporting home learning. For one child who is currently out of education, they are being encouraged to complete work from home and will engage with this on occasion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with those who are important to them. Where family dynamics have been fragile, staff have supported children to rebuild and strengthen their relationships. For some children, this has meant increased time with family and improved relationships.

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

Staff take effective action to keep children safe. Risk management plans are reviewed regularly and in collaboration with key professionals, including social workers. Staff use the least restrictive measures to reduce risks and promote children’s welfare.

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

Staff respond well when children go missing from the home. They actively search for children and provide effective support on their return. Staff maintain good communication with relevant professionals, including the police and social workers. They work to understand the reasons behind each incident so they can tailor support and reduce risks. For one child, this approach has led to the child no longer going missing from the home.

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

Children know how to complain. Children’s concerns and allegations are taken seriously. Relevant agencies are informed, such as the local authority designated officer and Inspection report for children’s home: 2483881 4 Ofsted. Investigations are undertaken where necessary and children receive a written response from the manager, helping them to feel heard and valued.

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

Staff respond promptly and effectively when children are in distress. They hold regular, purposeful discussions with children to help them understand how to keep themselves safe. Staff also support children to recognise and manage their feelings, helping them to develop strategies for coping with strong emotions. For one child, this has contributed to a reduction in self-injurious behaviour.

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

There are systems in place to ensure staff are safe to work at the home. However, not all checks are undertaken robustly. For example, there are unexplained employment gaps for one member of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a strong advocate for children. She has high aspirations for children and appropriately challenges agencies to secure the right support. Staff feel well supported by her and they admire her leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training to meet children’s individual needs, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The home’s counsellor contributes to team meetings, further strengthening staff skills. However, not all staff are up to date with core training. For example, 6 members of staff are not up to date with the home’s safeguarding training, and several have not achieved the required qualification within regulatory timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A stable staff team provides children with consistent and reliable care. Staff demonstrate resilience and have sustained children’s placements through significant challenges. For children who have experienced multiple previous moves, the home has offered their first experience of genuine stability and enduring relationships, which positively enhances their life chances. However, some records about children contain institutional language, which does not reflect the individualised, child ‑ centred practice expected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has positive relationships with other professionals, such as social workers and the police. She communicates well and works effectively in collaboration with others. Feedback from stakeholders, children and staff is routinely gathered and used to inform service development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has strong oversight of the home. Effective quality assurance and monitoring systems are in place. Internal and external audits are routinely completed. Any shortfalls are quickly addressed, and learning is used to improve the service. The manager sets high expectations for staff, and any areas of poor practice are promptly addressed. However, the home’s statement of purpose is out of date as it does not reflect the current management structure. Inspection report for children’s home: 2483881 5

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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, The 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

For the purposes of paragraph 3(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (‘the Level 3 Diploma’); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to ensuring that all staff are completing the relevant training to work in residential care. 30 June 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that information about the child is recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2483881 6  The registered person should ensure that they develop and keep under review a ‘Statement of Purpose’ (regulation 16 and schedule 1). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained and

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Recommendations

refreshed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)

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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 for children’s home: 2483881 7

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2483881 8 inspects 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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