Ofsted warned ‘children at risk of leaving unnoticed and unknown …

There "is a risk of children leaving the setting unnoticed or unknown adults entering the premises" at a provision for children in Tunbridge Wells ^[1], said Ofsted ^[2]. It said "children's safety is compromised" at the early years Hubbub Out of School Club in Sherwood ^[3], in its report published today. (August 7)

Ofsted took immediate enforcement action against the school club after the inspection five weeks ago and issued what is called a 'welfare requirements notice'. The inspector said security arrangements at the club were not "robust".

The report said: "Children's safety is compromised. Staff who transport children from school to the club do not have up-to-date First Aid training as required. Security arrangements at the club are not robust."

"There is a risk of children leaving the setting unnoticed, or unknown adults entering the premises. In addition, risk assessments are not effective and hazardous items, such as medicine, are sometimes left within children's reach."

Hubbub Out of School Club's website states it collects children to attend its club, based at at Temple Grove Academy, and its other site at Skinners' Kent Primary School which is not subject to this Ofsted report, from Temple Grove Academy, St John's, St Matthews, St James, St Peter's, Broadwater Down, St Mark's, St Paul's and Skinners' Kent Academy.

Explaining more about the security risk, the Ofsted report later said: "Staff do not ensure the front door is locked after use. This means that children could leave the premises without an adult."

"Although the school premises are secure there are unknown adults arriving and leaving to collect children from the adjoining provision. This means that there is a risk of unknown adults entering the building. This does not ensure the children's safety."

The inspector said children enjoyed a snack before playing with their friends. They formed small groups and made up games with each other, taking turns to be "imaginative characters". They also had a choice of resources.

'Want to be at home'

However, there were "limited planned activities" for children to engage in and "not all children are happy at the club". The report said: "Some children say they 'want to be at home'."

The club has access to the academy's playing field and playground while the garden area is having construction works, and the children enjoy running around the large field and climbing trees, said the inspector. But the staff do not focus children's attention on "meaningful activities" and the youngsters become "disengaged and at times misbehave" they said.

Hubbub Out of School Club had 55 children on roll aged three to 13 at the time of the inspection by the education watchdog. It opened in 2019 at Temple Grove Academy and was re-registered in 2021.

It has eight staff and opens from 7 to 9am, and 3 to 6pm each weekday during term time, and all day during school holidays. Although it is based at the academy, it is not run by the school, and is registered in Tunbridge Wells as a limited company.

Staff who used their own vehicles to transport children on their own did not hold valid First Aid certificates, said Ofsted. The report said: "This means staff who accompany children on outings are not adequately trained to respond to an accident or injury."

"In addition, the manager and deputy were unable to demonstrate that staff have the correct car insurance to be able to transport children safely."

Children attend the club at the age of three years and the report said at the time of the inspection, "there were no qualified staff present". This did not meet the requirement to have a Level 3 qualified member of staff working with any children who are younger than those in the reception class age range, said the inspector.

The report also said not all staff understood the safeguarding procedures or had safeguarding training. And not all staff knew who the designated safeguarding lead was, which is the person who takes responsibility for safeguarding and child protection.

Staff were "not clear" where the safeguarding policy was kept, so they could refer to it when needed. "In addition, staff are able to use their own personal mobile phones while working with children.

This does not ensure children's safety," said the report. The manager and deputy were unable to demonstrate staff had undergone robust recruitment checks to be left in sole charge of children.

'Staff knew the needs of SEN children'

The inspector said this was a "breach to requirements and does not demonstrate how children are being safeguarded". But there were some good points at the club raised by the report, including that staff knew the needs of the children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Although the co-ordinator for these was not always based at the club, they spoke to the schools about the progress of the children and staff gave feedback on those children at SEND group meetings. And the inspector said this about parents using the club: "Parents are happy with the club. They feel informed about what their children have to eat."

"Parents use the club's website for any additional information and feel they can raise any concerns they may have." But staff did not "promote children's safety well enough" when carrying out risk assessments, said the report.

The nine demands of the welfare requirements notice, which Hubbub Out of School club had to comply with by July 19, included staff understanding their role and responsibilities in safeguarding the children; staff knowing what to do if an allegation is made against a member of staff; the club demonstrating staff have undergone "robust" recruitment checks to be left in sole charge of children; and to take "all necessary steps" to prevent unauthorised people entering the premises.

Hubbub Out of School Club said on its website that during term time, its after school club cared for children from nine schools within the Tunbridge Wells area. You can read the full Ofsted report here ^[5].

What is Ofsted?

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. It inspects services providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

It also inspects and regulates services which care for children and young people. It "aims to improve lives" by raising standards in education and children’s social care.

Ofsted inspects and regulates thousands of organisations and individuals providing education, training and care – from childminders to training providers, and schools to local authorities – and it shares what it finds.

It reports directly to Parliament, parents, carers and commissioners. You can find out more about Ofsted here ^[6].

References

^{^} Tunbridge Wells (www.kentlive.news)
^{^} Ofsted (www.kentlive.news)
^{^} Sherwood (www.kentlive.news)
^{^} Kent's best primary schools rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in Maidstone, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells and more (www.kentlive.news)
^{^} full Ofsted report here (reports.ofsted.gov.uk)
^{^} You can find out more about Ofsted here (www.gov.uk)