Ofsted - Anyone know if they inspect and report in cleaning?

[Stephen courtney]

Hey everyone,

Some of you may have read my last thread about a client overstepping the client contractor boundaries.

Most of what he says revolves around Ofsted inspections.

Do any of you know whether Ofsted actually mark on cleaning, I'm fully confident my service will and has passed if so because the property in question recently had one (report not online) and if there were any issues this client would 100% have raised the issue with me.

However other than his word I simply don't know, I've contacted Ofsted by email to ask what they check but as of yet have no reply.

I've also downloaded over 40 available Ofsted reports from similar premesis and not one has mentioned cleanliness or cleaning.

A few have mentioned issues like broken washroom fixtures and fittings but not actual cleanliness and cleaning, think broken showers, no hot water e.t.c

Mainly these reports are about learning,.staff structure, management abilities and the wellness and happiness of the residents and the progression the staff encourage for the residents.

I've also done some digging and know that they do inspect bathrooms and can mark down but usually for personal hygiene issues, no soap, no toilet roll, no way to wash your hands e.t.c

I'd love to hear from any of you who have any insight so I can go into my meeting armed with as much information as possible for two reasons really.

1) It would actually be great to know for both this and potential future Ofsted inspected clients.

2) To let him know I'm onto his bullshit and it's not going to wash with me.

Because right now with what I've researched and read online and in actual Ofsted reports I fully believe it's a fabricated excuse to gain a little control because he can't handle the fact that as a contractor he really doesn't have much say over what my company does as long as the contract terms are fulfilled.

Another question, if you were in this position and Ofsted replied saying it's not an inspection point and your client has basically point blank knowingly lied to get his own way and claw back a bit of power and control, would that be an instant contract breaker and would you end the contract with said client?

Many thanks in advance,

Ste

 

[Jamie Biles]

Slightly off topic,who wrote your contract and how long is it. Yourself or them. I'd be inclined more to use the 'meeting' as a method for him to raise all of his concerns/requirements. Then politely go away and assess if they have all been met,in the words of the written contract,and then have a final meeting to go over together. Or I feel you may say or do the wrong thing in the heat of the meeting. From the amount time/effort put into this topic I feel you already suspect the outcome. look after number 1. Best of luck.

 

[Ken Wainwright]

I feel your frustration Stephen so perhaps it's time to step back and take a deep breath. You know from your past experiences that this person is an interfering busy body (that's the polite version)

I've had school contracts and they always wanted everything to be spic and span before scheduled inspections. As with most commercial facilities, management, staff, visitors and inspectors tend not to notice if everywhere is nice and clean, but if anything looks dirty or soiled, then this suggests it's unhygienic so yes, this would be of concern to Ofsted Inspectors. They are there to ensure that all standards are of an acceptably high level for the benefit and welfare of both students and staff alike. As previously discussed, work to your own high standards as per your contract and everything should be fine

 

[Stephen courtney]

Slightly off topic,who wrote your contract and how long is it. Yourself or them. I'd be inclined more to use the 'meeting' as a method for him to raise all of his concerns/requirements. Then politely go away and assess if they have all been met,in the words of the written contract,and then have a final meeting to go over together. Or I feel you may say or do the wrong thing in the heat of the meeting. From the amount time/effort put into this topic I feel you already suspect the outcome. look after number 1. Best of luck.

My contract is written by a solicitor specialising in commercial contracts. It's a 7 page contract with 47 points and clauses.

I've been working at the business in question for a year in about a month's time. Never once has my work been questioned and if he had any cause for concern he would have.

I know I shouldn't have but for the past few months the home in general has had a rough time with staffing issues and the day to day staff who are brilliant and I have a lot of respect and admiration for have been under immense pressure.

So to ease their burden (he the manager is oblivious to this) I've gone above and beyond simply because for me it's just a little extra work, no big deal and I can fit it in sometimes, but to the staff it makes a massive difference.

I've thought about this for a while now and will be very calm because none of the issues I'm raising can be disputed even if I didn't have a contract.

Two recent ones, a supervisor called one of my staff to ask about something, my staff left a mop bucket, mop and a trigger spray bottle unattended for maybe 1 minute.

He walked past and noticed and then proceeded to berate my staff member in front of his staff.

He said what if a child would have drank the chemicals (none of which contain bleach or harmful chemicals anyway because they are not allowed.

Luckily my employee wasn't one of the meek ones. And was able to raise a very valid point to him because right next to the trigger spray was an alcohol gel bottle that is there 24/7 by the main entrance for covid reasons and the children have shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and deodorant sprays in their bathrooms permenantly.

I have three problems that I'll calmly point out for this one other than the fact that cleaning products are kept as close to the cleaner at all times.

1) he went straight to the arguement without finding out why it was unattended, there are plenty of times where it could be a safeguarding issue and the operative has had to urgently complete a task that could put a child in immediate danger which are always high priority, he had no idea if this was one such incident.

2) if he has a problem with a member of my staff, he should calmly request them to join him in the office and discuss it and/or call me if it's serious. Berating someone Infront of other people not involved is unacceptable and creates a very awkward situation for both my staff and any of his present.

3) The nature of this home means that all child residents are required to have either a 1 to 1 or a 2 to 1 carer to child ratio at all times. Wherever that child goes one or two carers should follow them religiously. So should a child have even approached the bucket the carer/s should have been there to stop them getting near it.

If they weren't then his staffing and safeguarding system has failed.

He also said I need to do a morning inspection and report any issues regarding cleaning and mess already in rooms to his team leader/supervisor.

If the issue isn't solved then I am to chase them up and tell them again.

For this one I have a little description basically saying my job is to simply clean, what he is suggesting should be the other way around, his staff should do the walkaround and tell me any priorities to focus on first.

I also explain that what he is essentially doing is having me supervise his supervisors which is not my place. If there are failing issues with his supervisors it's his job to put processes in place to make sure it doesn't happen not mine.

Plus the fact that me (even though I'm actually on great terms with all staff) an outside agent, and not a colleague in the true sense of the world telling them they are failing their job is rude and condescending and actually awkward for me personally.

So I'm pretty calm and have well thought out points, descriptions and answers that are actually pretty much impossible for him to argue against because they are true.

His only real course of action is to acknowledge them and either work on a solution or find a different service provider.

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it.

Ste

 

[Stephen courtney]

I feel your frustration Stephen so perhaps it's time to step back and take a deep breath. You know from your past experiences that this person is an interfering busy body (that's the polite version)

I've had school contracts and they always wanted everything to be spic and span before scheduled inspections. As with most commercial facilities, management, staff, visitors and inspectors tend not to notice if everywhere is nice and clean, but if anything looks dirty or soiled, then this suggests it's unhygienic so yes, this would be of concern to Ofsted Inspectors. They are there to ensure that all standards are of an acceptably high level for the benefit and welfare of both students and staff alike. As previously discussed, work to your own high standards as per your contract and everything should be fine

Thanks Ken,

This is what I expect the answer if any from Ofsted to be.

I have a feeling that if I get a reply it will be something like "if we arrive and can see that the house looks clean to an acceptable standard we wouldn't really consider making or inspecting it in any great detail.

If however we arrive and it's immediately evident that it's filthy with clearly unsanitary living conditions we would have to look into it in more detail and document our findings"

If that did happen (which it never would because I take pride in my work) I would actually and rightly take full blame and responsibility with the inspection agent.

But again, if that was the case I know the client would have ended the contract well before now or even raised concerns.

But it's always clean, we have daily tasks which are done no matter what, all floors brushed and mopped, window ledges and shelves/work surfaces wiped and all bathrooms cleaned and mopped.

Then weekly items, skirting, windows, door frames, window frames all cleaned.

Then we have a rotational weekly deep clean of each room/area.

Every surface except ceilings are steam cleaned, walls, skirting, wet room, furniture, windows, window sills, doors, floors, sinks, taps everywhere.

This is why I suspect it's a control or power issue.

 

[Trevor Ives]

Personally, I would give then a months notice and let them get on with it.

 

[Mark Sutcliffe]

I used to be a teacher, I know ofsted and how they work....

If it looks clean they're happy, it doesn't feature massively in reports

 

[Stephen courtney]

Personally, I would give then a months notice and let them get on with it.

I'm seriously debating it Trevor, but I would like to raise these issues before I go because it might help him (not likely) realise and change a little for the next company and potentially his own staff.

 

[Stephen courtney]

I used to be a teacher, I know ofsted and how they work....

If it looks clean they're happy, it doesn't feature massively in reports

Thanks Mark,

That's exactly what I expected because I can't see them wasting time looking all over a very clean house for something they won't find.

The only thing that has me doubting everything I've read is that this is an actual residence and I'm wondering whether it's a bit different than a school.

 

[Mark Sutcliffe]

Thanks Mark,

That's exactly what I expected because I can't see them wasting time looking all over a very clean house for something they won't find.

The only thing that has me doubting everything I've read is that this is an actual residence and I'm wondering whether it's a bit different than a school.

How I detail do you want me to go..

Leadership/management
Wellbeing
Learning /development
Safeguarding

Now the only thing that a mess might come under is management as it can be seen as poor management of its a mess, but that's easy to explain as you have done above.. I worked in some outstanding schools that really needed a good clean before I packed in teaching.

It might be different if uts residential but to me, but in my own experience, if management wanted something doing they used ofsted as the reason..