Madina-tul-Uloom Al Islamic College

Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 1 Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiyah

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Madinatul Uloom Al-Islamiya, Butts Lane, Stone, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 4BH Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this boarding school

The school is an independent boarding and day school for Muslim boys and young men aged between 11 and 24. Pupils attend from all areas of the country, and a number from overseas. There are currently no pupils with education, health and care plans, or statements of special educational needs.

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Information about this boarding school

The boarding provision for all pupils is in the school grounds, with different age ranges in each boarding house.

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Information about this boarding school

This inspection concentrated on pupils under the age of 18.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures in the boarding provision at the school, which mean that children and young people who live there are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 6 February 2018 Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 2

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inadequate

This was an aligned inspection that took place at the same time as an education inspection. Some young people are making some good progress. However, this is undermined by serious failings of leaders and managers to promote young people’s ongoing safety in the boarding provision. For example, there has been a failure by managers to take swift action to ensure that fire safety concerns are addressed appropriately.

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inadequate

Although there is a rolling programme of repair and upkeep, shortfalls remain in the boarding environment. The bathrooms in ‘new block’ are not maintained to an adequate standard. For example, one toilet had been temporarily repaired using duct tape. Furthermore, some curtains do not fit the windows and there is a need for general redecoration and repair. Some young people have also identified that they are not happy with the living environment. In a survey carried out in May 2019, 28 young people stated that the condition in boarding was either poor or very poor. This compromises young people’s dignity and the right to enjoy an adequate living environment.

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inadequate

Young people do make some good progress but how managers and staff evidence and track this requires development. For example, young people do not set targets for their own development during their time in residence that are then reviewed. This makes it difficult to fully celebrate any progress that is made or to identify those young people who may need further support to reach their full potential.

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inadequate

Inspectors had limited time to gather the views of all the young people who board at the school during the three-day inspection. All young people spoken to during the inspection visit appeared positive about their time at the boarding provision. They enjoyed spending time with their friends. They stated that staff were kind and that they were helped to settle into residency.

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inadequate

Young people feel that their views are heard through the student council. This forum has had a positive impact on their stays. For example, young people now state that they are enjoying a wider range of activities and use of the technology facilities at the weekend.

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inadequate

There are a range of activities available for young people living in the boarding accommodation during the evenings and at weekends. These include archery and litter-picking in the local community and the young people enjoy the benefits that the large spacious grounds have to offer. Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 3

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

Leaders and managers fail to prioritise fire safety. Some fire doors do not close as they should. There is a risk assessment in place that relies, in part, on young people taking certain actions to keep themselves safe. In addition, necessary safety work is not scheduled to take place for a number of weeks. This is inappropriate and unsafe. Due to concerns raised during the inspection, inspectors made a referral to the local fire service. The fire service visited the boarding provision and found that urgent action was required to keep young people safe. The fire service will continue to monitor the situation, as will inspectors.

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

The boarding provision does not have an up-to-date record of which pupils sleep in which boarding accommodation. Furthermore, staff were not able to tell inspectors which young people sleep in which rooms. This could further impact on young people’s safety generally and in the event of a fire.

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

There is no clear rationale for why certain young people share a room and how any risks will be minimised. This does not promote young people’s safety and welfare. Furthermore, risk assessments are generic and set out ways to manage risks that are not available in all of the boarding provision, such as the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV). In addition, the head teacher was not able to demonstrate that the school holds the necessary registration for the use of CCTV to show that they are compliant with the law.

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

On one occasion, leaders and managers did not implement their safeguarding procedures and duties. For example, there has been a delay in reporting an alleged serious safeguarding incident. This has compromised young people’s safety. Policies have been updated and training has taken place since this event.

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

Overall, young people’s behaviour is very good. There has been no need for physical intervention to protect young people. Incidents of challenging behaviour are rare and staff and young people are clear about what expectations are in place surrounding most behaviour management.

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

There was no evidence that young people go missing from the provision, and there were no concerns identified regarding the misuse of alcohol or substances. Staff receive training to help them to understand the actions they need to take to ensure that young people are kept safe in this regard.

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

Work has been undertaken surrounding bullying. Young people spoken to at the inspection said that they are clear who to report this to and how this would be tackled. Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The oversight by leaders and managers is inadequate. This has compromised young people’s safety and has led to some breaches of the national minimum standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not demonstrated that they are that they are fully aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and have not recognised the need for swift improvement to the boarding provision to enhance young people’s safety and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers failed to supply inspectors with information during the inspection, such as Annex A. This is a document that captures information about the provision. This shows a lack of organisation from the senior management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff say that they are well supported and receive supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is a good medical team to meet the medical needs of the young people, which promotes their health and well-being. Parents spoken to were complementary about the provision and the positive communication from staff. Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 5

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schools

The school does not meet the following national minimum standards for boarding schools:

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schools

 5.1 Suitable sleeping accommodation is provided for boarders. It is well organised and managed with risk assessments undertaken and findings acted upon to reduce risk for all boarders. Where boarders are aged 8 years or over, sleeping accommodation for boys is separate from sleeping accommodation for girls.  5.4 Boarding houses and other accommodation provided for boarders is appropriately lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide adequate accessible accommodation for any boarders with restricted mobility.  7.1 The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  11.1 The school ensures that: arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  13.4 The school’s leadership and management consistently fulfil their

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schools

responsibilities effectively so that the standards are met.

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Recommendations

 Ensure that a tool is developed that enables tracking of young people’s progress.  Ensure that registration takes place with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in relation to the use of CCTV and steps are taken to comply with data protection legislation. Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 6

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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 Children Act 1989 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 national minimum standards. Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 7

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Boarding school details

Social care unique reference number: SC043039

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Boarding school details

Email address: headteacher@madinatul-uloom.org

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Inspectors

Louise Battersby, social care inspector (lead) Andrew Hewston, social care inspector Ricky D’Arcy, social care inspector Inspection report for boarding school: Madinatul-Uloom Al Islamic College 8 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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