The information you were given relates to the later Zetec engine that was fitted to most MK6 Escorts. It had a plastic inlet with the plastic inlet piping. On those, the ISCV is mounted to the underside of the inlet, between the engine and manifold itself.

You're quite lucky to be honest, as it's much easier to remove the one on the cast alloy inlet that you have.

If cleaning the ISCV makes things better, just replace it. Once it's gone, cleaning it is only a short term solution in my experience.