Ivy Cottage
Ivy Cottage is a residential care home in Ashford, Kent (TN26 3RJ). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Ivy Cottage
We at Ivy Cottage are proud to offer a welcoming residential care home in Ashford, Kent, providing specialist support for adults living with learning disabilities and autism. Our home is designed to feel exactly that, a home, where every resident is valued, understood, and encouraged to live life on their own terms. Nestled within the TN postcode area of Ashford, our setting offers a calm and familiar environment in the heart of the South East. The local surroundings provide a comfortable backdrop for daily living, with the wider Kent community close at hand for outings, appointments, and family visits. Inside, we aim to create spaces that feel homely and reassuring, where residents can relax, socialise, or enjoy quiet time in surroundings that respect their individual preferences and routines. Our specialism in residential care for adults with learning disabilities and autism shapes everything we do. We understand that no two people are the same, and we take great care to get to know each resident as an individual, learning their communication styles, sensory needs, interests, and aspirations. In practice, this means person centred support plans, structured routines where helpful, and the flexibility to adapt as needs evolve. We work closely with families, advocates, and healthcare professionals to ensure that each resident receives consistent, respectful, and meaningful support, whether that involves help with daily living, encouragement to develop new skills, or simply the reassurance of a steady, familiar team. For families, this approach offers something invaluable: peace of mind. Knowing that your loved one is in a setting where their identity, dignity, and wellbeing come first allows you to focus on enjoying time together rather than worrying about the practicalities of care. We aim to be a true partner to relatives, keeping communication open, welcoming visits, and involving families in decisions that matter. Our most recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and social care in England, awarded Ivy Cottage an overall rating of Good. We were rated Good across the Safe, Effective, Caring, and Responsive domains, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing kind, capable, and thoughtful support. The Well led domain was rated as Requires Improvement, and we take that feedback seriously, viewing it as a valuable opportunity to strengthen our leadership and governance so that the quality of care our residents experience is matched by the quality of our management behind the scenes. Continuous improvement is part of how we work, and we remain committed to listening, learning, and developing. If you are exploring residential care options in Ashford for a family member with a learning disability or autism, we warmly invite you to get in touch. Choosing the right home is one of the most important decisions a family can make, and we understand the questions, hopes, and concerns that come with it. We would be delighted to talk with you, answer your queries, and help you consider whether Ivy Cottage could be the right place for your loved one to feel safe, supported, and truly at home.
Care provided at Ivy Cottage
- Learning disability and autism support
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 14 July 2018
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
What the inspectors found
A plain English summary of the Care Quality Commission inspection behind the current rating of Ivy Cottage. Report published 14 July 2018.
- 16 and 17 May 2018. The visit was unannounced.
- 5 places, 4 people were using the service at the time
Safe
Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse and that there were enough trained staff to meet their needs. Risk assessments gave staff the information they needed to manage risks while respecting people's freedom and independence. People received their medicines safely, the service was clean, and staff recruitment followed safe procedures.
Effective
Inspectors found that people's needs and choices were assessed and reviewed regularly. Support plans gave staff clear guidelines. People were supported to eat and drink to keep a balanced diet, and they went to routine and specialist health appointments.
Caring
Inspectors found that staff knew people well and treated them with kindness and dignity. People were happy and relaxed with staff, and there was a clear sense of mutual respect. People were supported to express their views.
Responsive
Inspectors found that people's individual needs were met through the design of the building. People were encouraged to raise issues formally and informally.
Well-led
Inspectors found that the service had not remained well-led since the last inspection. The registered manager had been absent for several months and a deputy manager with limited management experience had taken their place. Support for staff had weakened, especially supervision and appraisal, and key management tasks and recommendations from the provider's own audits had not been completed. Inspectors recommended that the provider support the deputy manager to deal with the outstanding actions.
Since the last inspection
Rated Good in July 2018, the same overall rating as before (Good).
Well-led moved from Good to Requires improvement; Safe is still Good; Effective is still Good; Caring is still Good; Responsive is still Good.
- 14 July 2018: Routine inspection, rated Good. This inspection gave the current rating.
- 1 June 2016: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 30 March 2015: Routine inspection, rated Requires improvement
- 10 December 2013: Inspection looking at part of the service
- 11 September 2013: Routine inspection
- 12 January 2013: Routine inspection
Read the full report on the CQC website
Source: Care Quality Commission inspection report, summarised by CareAssura. Contains CQC data used under the Open Government Licence.
How Ivy Cottage compares in Ashford
Measured against the 43 care homes registered in Ashford. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 5 places. Smaller than 33 of the 43 homes. The local average is 26 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 39 of the 43 homes (91%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 73%.
- Latest report
- 14 July 2018. 34 of the 43 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- December 2010. 24 of the 43 homes registered more recently.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes in Ashford.
The local picture: Ashford
What the numbers say about care for older people in Ashford, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 15,000. Rising to 17,600 by 2035, up 18%
- People aged 85 and over: 3,700. Rising to 6,000 by 2035, up 61%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 1,900. Rising to 2,500 by 2035, up 30%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 58%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 60. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 0 closed. 2 changed owner, covering 29 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Ivy Cottage
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 30 December 2010, so 15 years.
- Run by
- Canterbury Oast Trust, which runs 9 adult social care services in England. 7 of the 9 that have a rating are rated Good or Outstanding.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Ivy Cottage
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, 7 miles away
It is about 7 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
- Woodchurch Surgery, 0.8 miles away
- Hamstreet Surgery, 2.9 miles away
- Kingsnorth Medical Practice, 4.3 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Hamstreet Dental Clinic, 2.7 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Easy Smile (the Cellars), 4.6 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Woodbury Dental and Laser Clinic, 4.9 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Boots, 4.6 miles away
- Tesco Instore Pharmacy, 4.6 miles away
- Paydens Pharmacy, 4.7 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Ham Street Station, 2.6 miles away
- Appledore (Kent) Station, 3 miles away
- Ashford International Station, 6 miles away
Around Ivy Cottage
- H: Ivy Cottage
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Ivy Cottage
Where is Ivy Cottage located?
Ivy Cottage is a residential care home in Ashford, Kent, TN26 3RJ. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Ivy Cottage provide?
Ivy Cottage is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Learning disability and autism support, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Ivy Cottage's CQC rating?
Ivy Cottage is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 14 July 2018. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Ivy Cottage offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Ivy Cottage offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Ivy Cottage
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Ivy Cottage is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Ivy Cottage is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. Ivy Cottage offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.
Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?
Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.
Can she bring her cat or dog?
Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.
Can a couple stay together?
Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.
Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?
Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.
Do they take younger adults as well as older people?
Ask the home. The register does not say which age groups the home supports. Ask the home.
Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?
Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.
Typical weekly fees in the South East
Ivy Cottage has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Ivy Cottage. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Ashford
- The Autistic Trust - 118 Beaver Lane — CQC Outstanding
- Anderida — CQC Good
- Ashlea House — CQC Good
- Belmont — CQC Good
- Birch House — CQC Good
- Boldshaves Oast — CQC Good
Browse all care homes in Ashford.