The health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester’s children is at risk as Ofsted reveals that 42% of children’s homes and nurseries are failing after recent inspections.
Of the 125 nurseries and children’s homes inspected 52 failed, with 34 requiring improvement and 18 deemed inadequate for service this November.
Kidz Zone, a Central Manchester nursery, was reported to have inadequately safeguarded children and significantly compromised their welfare.
On the day of inspection the nursery door was found unlocked and the inspector gained unauthorised access into the nursery, which could allow any ‘unsuitable’ person access to the children.
The child minder also administered medicine to children without gaining written permission from parents and did not keep a written record each time medicine was administered.
Wendy Meikle, Stockport Councillor for Children and Young People, said: “It is absolutely shocking how many have failed. It does concern me a great deal.
“Sometimes those who run the private ones run them as just businesses. It is not acceptable for any to be found inadequate.”
A home in Stockport, run by the Together Trust, dealing with children with special education and behavioural needs was found to inadequately provide a safe environment for the youngsters in its care.
According to Ofsted, staff were not vetted properly and some had begun work without clarifying the reason they left their previous employment.
It was also found that the home did not adequately implement risk strategies, which led to a significant incident between two young people and placed them both and a staff member at significant risk of harm.
A spokesperson for the Together Trust said: “Following inspection on October 2 at one of our homes, Ofsted set out a number of requirements that we quickly addressed.
“In fact, Ofsted carried out a follow-up inspection at the home in question on November 26 and we were awarded good and adequate ratings across the inspectorate’s grading areas.
“As a charity that has been providing care in the North West since 1870, clearly we were very disappointed with the initial findings and took them extremely seriously.”
Oswald Road Child Care Club LTD, on central Manchester’s Longford Road, was found inadequate as children’s safety was put at risk due to poor leadership and management.
Children’s learning was deemed to be compromised, as was their safety and welfare, at the Broadway Day Nursery, in Oldham, which also received an inadequate rating.
Last month Ofsted reported that 25% of child minders across the North West had failed their tests between July and August this year.
Kidz Zone declined to comment.
Image courtesy of Fraser Speirs, with thanks.
