Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah

Progress monitoring inspection boarding report

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Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah Willows Lane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4HF

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Context of the inspection

This was a monitoring inspection of the residential provision. This unannounced visit was carried out to check on the progress in meeting the unmet national minimum standards, which were identified at the previous Ofsted inspection from 13 to 15 June 2023.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

School leaders have begun work on improving the boarding accommodation. They have improved the number of workable showers and toilets and have begun painting some of the walls. While there are improvements, the boarding accommodation for children is not yet of a good quality throughout. Leaders are aware that the refurbishment of accommodation is a long-term project, and they are planning accordingly.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Trustees have recently appointed a governing body to improve the oversight and development of the school. While this is a positive move, it is early days, and their impact on making the necessary improvements cannot yet be fully evidenced.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The appointment of a new safeguarding team, including a designated safeguarding lead, is positive. However, the team members require sufficient time and support to embed their practice and ensure that their oversight is effective.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Fire safety is not in place. Some fire doors were locked during the visit, and the exit routes to assembly areas are not lit for after dark evacuation. The structure and personnel in place are insufficient to promote compliance with fire safety law.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The risks associated with under- and over-18-year olds mixing together are still in evidence. However, there is an action plan for assessing and managing children’s areas of risk from their contact with adult students. This is a positive start on improving children’s safety, although this continues to be a work in progress. Inspection Report for Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah, 20/09/2023 Page 2 of 6 There are no organised systems in place to manage and support children’s health needs. Childrens medical records are stored across three rooms, and they are not archived for safety and confidentiality.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Some staff have completed e-learning training on a variety of subjects, including safeguarding, safer recruitment and ‘Prevent’ duty awareness. Although it is positive that training has taken place, there continue to be a number of key vacancies. These are for posts such as head of boarding, medical officer and those responsible for areas such as fire safety and health and safety. Governors report that until staffing is agreed, and individual roles and competencies have been assessed, there are currently no staff designated for specific duties and responsibilities.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

At the previous inspections, staffing levels were insufficient, particularly in relation to overnight staffing. Although plans are in place to increase boarding staff numbers, at the time of this visit, these staff had not been recruited.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

A telephone that was broken in the boarding accommodation has now been repaired. Inspectors had sight of the children’s telephone rota and observed that some of the times given were in the middle of the day when parents may be working or unavailable. This limits children’s opportunities to call home and have contact with their families.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Three of the recommendations, which relate to children contributing their views to the operation of boarding provision, safer recruitment and job descriptions, were not considered at this visit.

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schools:

 2.1 The school’s governing body and/or proprietor monitors the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the boarding and welfare provision in the school, and takes appropriate action where necessary.  2.6 Senior boarding staff are knowledgeable and experienced and have undertaken appropriate training in the management and practice of boarding. They use this to ensure that boarders’ welfare is safeguarded and promoted.  4.1 Good quality sleeping accommodation is provided for boarders. It is well organised and managed with ongoing assessments of risk (which should be documented) and findings acted upon to reduce risk for all boarders. Accommodation gives boarders appropriate privacy, taking into account sex, age and any special requirements. Where children share a bedroom, they are able to express a preference about whom they share with.  4.2 Good quality living accommodation and equipment, including appropriate internet

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schools:

access, is provided for boarders for the purposes of organised and private study outside school hours and for social purposes.  4.3 Sufficient toilet and washing facilities with good quality fixtures and fittings and access to hot water are provided for boarders, are readily accessible from the sleeping accommodation and take into account sex, age and any special requirements.  5.3 Good protection is provided for boarders’ personal possessions and for any boarders’ money or valuables looked after by the school. Inspection Report for Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah, 20/09/2023 Page 3 of 6  6.2 Good quality facilities are provided for the hygienic preparation, serving and consumption of boarders’ main meals. These may be situated in the main school building provided it is adjacent to or reasonably accessible from the boarding accommodation.  7.1 The school has, and implements effectively, appropriate policies for the care of

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schools:

boarders who have medical conditions and/or are unwell, ensures that the physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing of boarders are promoted and prompt action is taken when health concerns are identified. The policies include first aid, care of those with chronic conditions and disabilities, dealing with medical emergencies and the use of both prescription and non-prescription medication (including controlled drugs). Policies for administration of medication should reflect, where appropriate, guidance provided by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal College of Nursing.  7.6 All medication is stored safely and securely and accurate records are kept of its administration. Staff are properly trained to provide the support that pupils need when administrating medicines. Prescribed medicines are given only to the boarders to whom they are prescribed. Boarders allowed to self-medicate are assessed as being

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schools:

sufficiently responsible to do so. Where applicable, schools have regard to government guidance.  8.1 The school should ensure 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.  8.2 The school should ensure that all staff are aware that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility throughout the school and the boarding facilities.  9.1 The school ensures compliance with relevant health and safety laws by drawing up and effectively implementing a written health and safety policy. Staff undertake sufficient training to ensure the policy is followed in practice.  9.2 The school premises, accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured, and they are provided a safe environment in

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schools:

which they can live and learn.  10.2 The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and ensures alerting systems are accessible and there are clear evacuation plans for all children subject to their needs.  12.1 Schools facilitate arrangements so boarders can contact their parents/carers and families in private, at a time that is suitable for both parties, considering relevant time zones for international pupils. Schools should operate proportionate systems to monitor and control the use of electronic communications in order to detect abuse, bullying or unsafe practice by boarders. Schools are sensitive and comply with individual children’s circumstances such as restricted contact with families.  13.1 Boarders are actively encouraged to contribute their views to the operation of boarding provision. There should be clear and easily accessible systems for boarders to provide their views and raise concerns. Boarders’ views are considered in decisions

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schools:

about the running of the school and boarding provision and boarders are provided with feedback about their expressed views. Boarders are not penalised for raising a concern in good faith. Inspection Report for Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah, 20/09/2023 Page 4 of 6  19.1 Schools operate safer recruitment and adopt recruitment procedures in line with the regulatory requirements and having regard to relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  20.1 Any staff member or volunteer employed or volunteering in a position working with boarders has a job description reflecting their duties, receives induction training in boarding when newly appointed, and receives regular reviews of their boarding practice, with opportunities for training and continual professional development in boarding.  20.3 The staff supervising boarders outside teaching time are sufficient in number, training and experience for the age, number and individual needs of boarders, and the

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schools:

locations and activities involved. Inspection Report for Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah, 20/09/2023 Page 5 of 6

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Inspection team

Dave Carrigan Lead Social Care Inspector Denise Jolly Social Care Inspector

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Information about this school

This is an independent Muslim school that is registered with the Department for Education for 297 boys aged between 11 and 25 years. It is a large, detached property standing in its own private grounds and situated in a town within walking distance of local amenities. The school currently offers boarding education to 144 students, some of whom are continuing in their Islamic studies. The school is maintained by a board of trustees, which meets every week to review the boarding provision. Individual members also make unannounced visits to the school to check on boarders’ welfare. The school’s mission statement is ‘to encourage the development of independent, well balanced and well educated young men’. Inspection Report for Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah, 20/09/2023 Page 6 of 6

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School details

Unique reference number 130285 Social care unique reference number SC009423 DfE registration number 350/6017

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School details

This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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School details

Type of school Other Independent School Number of boarders on roll 149 Gender of boarders Boys Age range of boarders 11 to 25 Headteacher Post vacant Date of previous boarding inspection 13/06/2023 Telephone number 01204 62622 Email address headteacher@boltondarululoom.org.uk Inspection Report for Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah, 20/09/2023 Page 7 of 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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School details

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School details

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School details

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