Hartpury College

Hartpury College Inspection report for further education college

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SC046577 Unique reference number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Wendy Anderson Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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Hartpury College Address Hartpury House Hartpury GLOUCESTER GL19 3BE 01452 700283 Telephone number

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Head / Principal

29 January 2007 Date of last inspection .

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Head / Principal

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Head / Principal

You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 8 Inspection Report: Hartpury College, 10 March 2008

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Brief description of the service

Hartpury College is a land-based college providing Further and Higher Education. It is situated on a 360 hectare site in the heart of Gloucestershire. The nearest large town is Gloucester, which is about five miles away. It has land-based, equine, animal, sport and outdoor education courses. The college has expanded substantially in the last 10 years increasing student numbers and creating a range of new facilities including specialist teaching facilities and residential accommodation. At the time of inspection there were approximately 310 residential students aged 16 to 18 on site. The college has total capacity for 798 residential students on campus and additional off site accommodation available only for students over 18. Both Further and Higher Education courses are available to non-resident students. All accommodation used by students under 18 is purpose built; most accommodation has been built in the last five years

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Brief description of the service

and provides single rooms with en-suite shower rooms. The Catsbury accommodation, with space for approximately 79 students and used by students under 18 at the time of the inspection, is approximately 30 years old and does not have en-suite facilities. Rooms on the second floor are designated as shared rooms although at the time of inspection not all of these rooms were occupied by two students. For the last two years, at the beginning of the academic year the college has used temporary ‘portacabin’ accommodation, although by the time of the inspection spaces had become available in other accommodation and they had been removed. The Rudgeley Halls have been specifically designed for under 18 year olds and are set out in units each with 20 rooms. Each of the units for under 18s usually has a resident student warden. Students under the age of 18 are not permitted by the college to self cater. They have their meals in the

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Brief description of the service

large refectory or other eating areas around the campus. Kitchens are situated in each accommodation block and equipped with a fridge, kettle and toaster. It was reported that all kitchens should also have a microwave although at the time of inspection this was not the case for all accommodation blocks. All students must take responsibility for all their own laundry and the laundry room had recently been refurbished. On campus there is access to a separate common room for under 18s, counselling services, a part time college nurse, and sports facilities including an outdoor heated pool, a shop and plenty of space.

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Summary

This inspection was an interim visit to Hartpury College to follow up on the recommendation made at the last inspection which took place on 29, 30 and 31 January 2007. This visit took place on 10 March 2008. The College has reviewed its child protection policy and selection and vetting procedure so that these now meet the Standards. There has been an increase in the number of staff employed at the College and an increase in the activities provided for the students. The College now provides more individual support for students with systems covering the majority of the day and weekends. The staff at the College have undergone first aid training and this is on a rolling cycle. There is a system in place for the monitoring of ill students. There is a clear system in place for fire drills. The quality rating for this service was made on the evidence gathered at this interim visit and the previous inspection report.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

See the above summary and the body of the report. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: Hartpury College, 10 March 2008

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Upon admission each student is given Health Pack detailing all the health services available at the College and in the surrounding area. The College has a nurse on site for all Further Education students. All the house keepers and wardens (24 wardens in total – 12 staff and 12 student wardens) are first aid trained as well other members of the College staff team. This training is frequently updated and new staff become trained. The last session of first aid training took place in September 2007. The College nurse sees young people by appointment. All accidents are reported to the College's Health and Safety officer and information is sent from them to the College nurse. The College Health and Safety officer investigates these accidents and provides a monthly report on these. The College was visited by the Learning and Skills Council and they were pleased with this system. The College automatically informs parents if a young

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Helping children to be healthy

person is taken to hospital. However, they follow the NHS guidance on patient confidentiality. If a young person is ill they usually return home. If they do remain in College the house keepers and the wardens have a system in place to check the young person regularly. The College ensures that there is a microwave in each hostel at the beginning of each year.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All staff undertake three day child protection training at the beginning of each academic year. In September 2007 all staff with hostel duties undertook child protection, working with challenging behaviour, mental health and counselling training. This involved approximately 60 staff. The College has reviewed and updated its child protection policy. This contains all the required information. The College has a summary log of all complaints made. These are discussed at Senior Management Meetings and with the College Executive monthly. Any identified improvements the College needs to make are implemented. The College carries out termly fire drill including night time drills. The College has reviewed its selection, vetting and recruitment process. This includes verbal verification of references and a code of conduct for staff's spouses who live on site but are not employed by the College. All students undergo an induction. This

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

includes information on the College's policies and procedures including the issue of bullying and discipline. At this induction there is a register which students sign to say they have understood the information covered. The house keepers and wardens have responsibility for the hostels and they liaise closely with the young people and other staff at the College. The hostels have regular meetings and there is also a student council.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The College has recently appointed a Student Welfare Officer who provides support to the students and will come and see students when asked. There is a new counselling service at the College. This has two councillors who between them provide full time cover up to 20:00. Student 5 of 8 Inspection Report: Hartpury College, 10 March 2008 support also covers one evening per week. The College provides a wide range of activities for the young people. All wardens run individual clubs. There is also a new common room and the College is working with the young people to see what the best use of this space would be.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The College has increased its staffing levels. This includes increasing the warden’s team by 50% over the last five years, employing two counsellors and the appointment of a Student Welfare Officer. The College keeps its staffing levels under review as the College is expanding. The College has reviewed and updated the information for students. This now provides the students with ‘bite size’ pieces of information about life at the College and the College's policies and procedures.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 6 of 8 Inspection Report: Hartpury College, 10 March 2008

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• under-age drinking, substance abuse and possession of obscene material by students are appropriately countered (NMS 6) • students receive first aid and health care as necessary (NMS 14) • students are adequately supervised when ill (NMS 15) • students are supported in relation to any health or personal problems (NMS 16) • students receive good quality catering provision (NMS 22) • students have access to food and drinking water in addition to main meals (NMS 23) • students are suitably accommodated when ill (NMS 43) Ofsted considers 14 and 16 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• students are protected from bullying and harassment (NMS 2) • students are protected from abuse (NMS 3) • use of discipline with students is fair and appropriate (NMS 4) • students’ complaints are adequately responded to (NMS 5) • students are protected from the risk of fire (NMS 24) • the welfare of any young people accommodated by the college other than its own students is safeguarded and promoted (NMS 26) • students’ safety and welfare are protected during high risk activities (NMS 27) • students’ personal privacy is respected (NMS 33) • there is careful selection and vetting of all staff and volunteers working with residential students (NMS 34) • students are protected from unsupervised contact with adults who have not been, subject to the college’s complete recruitment checking procedures (NMS 35) • students have their own living accommodation, secure from public intrusion (NMS 37) • any security or surveillance measures provide security to protect students without

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

compromising their privacy (NMS 38) • students are given reasonable protection from safety hazards (NMS 42) Ofsted considers 2, 3, 4, 5, 24, 33, 34, 35, 37 and 42 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• students have access to a range and choice of activities (NMS 11) • students receive personal support from staff (NMS 13) • students do not experience inappropriate discrimination (NMS 17) • student welfare is not compromised by unusual or onerous demands (NMS 25) • students have access to a range of recreational areas (NMS 41) 7 of 8 Inspection Report: Hartpury College, 10 March 2008

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Annex A

Ofsted considers 13 and 17 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• students are enabled to contribute to the operation of residential provision in the college (NMS 12) • students can maintain private contact with their parents and families (NMS 18) • students receive guidance, both on arrival at the college and in preparing to leave the college (NMS 20) • there are sound relationships between staff and students (NMS 32) Ofsted considers 12 and 18 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the college’s organisation of residential provision safeguards students’ welfare (NMS 10) • students’ personal possessions and money are protected (NMS 19) • students are provided with satisfactory living accommodation (NMS 36) • students have satisfactory sleeping accommodation (NMS 39) • students have adequate and adequately private toilet and washing facilities (NMS 40) • there are arrangements to ensure that students’ clothing and bedding are adequately laundered (NMS 44) • students can buy food and personal requisites while accommodated at college (NMS 45) • the welfare of students placed in lodgings by the college is safeguarded and promoted (NMS 46) • the welfare of students is safeguarded and promoted when accommodated away from the college site on a short-stay basis (NMS 47) Ofsted considers 46 and 47 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• a clear statement of the principles of residential provision and student support at the college is available to those needing this information (NMS 1) • the safeguarding and promotion of students’ health and welfare are supported by appropriate records (NMS 7) • there is clear leadership of residential provision in the college (NMS 8) • crises affecting students’ welfare are managed effectively (NMS 9) • risk assessment and college record keeping contribute to students’ welfare (NMS 21) • students are appropriately supervised during free time (NMS 28) • students are adequately supervised by staff (NMS 29) • staff responsible for residential students have specific residential and welfare duties, with adequate induction and continued training (NMS 30) • students are looked after by staff following clear residential and welfare policies and practice (NMS 31) Ofsted considers 1, 21, 29 and 30 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

8 of 8 Inspection Report: Hartpury College, 10 March 2008

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