Kicks and Tricks Rushmere, Ipswich, under fire from Ofsted

Kicks and Tricks Rushmere, a club offering sports coaching at Rushmere Sports Club in The Street, has been told it 'needs attention' by Ofsted.

Concerns were raised over staff not noticing potential risks to children while they were also given a deadline to ensure fresh drinking water is always available and accessible to the children.

The sports club was inspected on February 19 with the report published on Wednesday.

Ofsted ruled that the club met the expected standard for behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines as well as inclusion including offering activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The club were told they must provide access to fresh drinking water (Image: Lucy Taylor)

However, the education watchdog ruled that children's welfare and wellbeing as well as leadership and governance 'needed attention'.

Ofsted defines their 'needs attention' ruling as 'the expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements'.

"Overall, children's safety is promoted well. However, on occasion staff do not notice some potential risks to children's welfare at the club." Ofsted said.

"These hazards are immediately removed by leaders once brought to their attention.

"There is not sufficient supervision of staff and monitoring of staff practice so that leaders can identify areas of improvement.

"For example, leaders do not ensure that managers and staff are noticing potential risks, such as children kneeling on chairs to reach resources."

In order to meet the expected requirements of Ofsted, the club were given three areas to improve.

These involved ensuring fresh drinking water is always available and accessible to children.

Strengthening staff supervision and monitoring systems to ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities and implement the setting's policies and procedures consistently.

As well as ensuring staff remain vigilant, recognise potential risks, and take prompt action to reduce or remove hazards, to keep all children safe.

The club were ruled to have met safeguarding standards.

A Kicks and Tricks spokesperson said: "Following on from our inspection at Rushmere, all points raised were acted on immediately and we continue to ensure our provision meets the needs of all children.

"A couple of issues, such as no water in one room, were unique to the day but were quite rightly noted by the inspector, as a result we have put further control measures in place across all sites to ensure they do not happen on any occasion. 

"We were delighted with the strengths identified, particularly inclusion and we continue to be proud to provide a holiday club that children love attending and welcome further inspections at our other venues across Suffolk."