Bridge College

Published date February 2014 Inspection Number 439253 Unique reference number: 134143

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Name of lead inspector: Charlie Henry HMI

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Address:

Openshaw Campus Whitworth Street Manchester M11 2GR

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Address:

Telephone number: 0161 487 4293 Bridge College

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Monitoring visit report

Monitoring visit Bridge College, 17 January 2014 1 of 4

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Context and focus of visit

This was an unannounced monitoring inspection, which focused on the college’s safeguarding procedures following concerns that had been brought to Ofsted’s attention. The inspection was carried out by two of Her Majesty’s Inspectors.

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Context and focus of visit

The last full inspection of Bridge College took place in September 2013 when inspectors judged the college’s overall effectiveness to be good. This inspection judged that the college met its statutory requirements to safeguard learners and that their health and safety were promoted well.

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Safeguarding

Inspectors did not find any cause for concern for learners’ safeguarding.

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Safeguarding

The college management team works hard to ensure that procedures and practices for safeguarding learners are consistently and rigorously applied. There is a clear line of decision making that is known by staff should any concerns be raised. Start- and end-of-day briefings alert staff about any relevant issues regarding their learners. The briefing information is subsequently left on the two staff noticeboards to inform anyone who misses a briefing. One of these noticeboards is, however, not kept up to date; similarly, not all staff have easy access to emailed information. The single central register fulfils statutory requirements.

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Safeguarding

The inspectors met with two groups of learners from the college’s student council and also with a further two learners who asked to meet them separately. All of these learners were very positive about the college and enjoy their time there. They knew who to speak with if they had any worries or if they saw others who were upset. They were confident that any concerns would be sorted out by staff.

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Safeguarding

Independent advocates have been used occasionally to ensure a learner’s views are represented. This valuable method of independently gathering students’ views is not used routinely.

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Safeguarding

Information available around the college informs learners of what they should do if they have any concerns. This information does not, however, fully take into account the wide range of learners’ communication and literacy skills.

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Safeguarding

Two new members of staff were also interviewed. They were very clear of the actions that they must take if they have any concerns. They feel well supported, although, where appropriate, occasionally would value further guidance on aspects of students’ personal care that are not covered by existing training. AI-14 monitoring visit report

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PROTECT – INSPECTION

Monitoring visit Bridge College, 17 January 2014 2 of 4

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

New staff receive initial training about vulnerable adults and the protection of children as soon as they take up their posts. This introduction is extended by attendance at the next college safeguarding course. All staff receive annually updated safeguarding training. The college’s records show that a very small number who were absent at the time of their allocated update course did not then attend the next training opportunity. The college has plans to ensure feedback on this training requirement is routinely included in senior management meetings. The designated person responsible for safeguarding vulnerable adults and child protection has undertaken additional training. This training is regularly updated. 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

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’. Ofsted

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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