Kingston Maurward College

Further education college residential provision inspection report Date published: 18 May 2016 Inspection Number: 10010602 URN: SC026929

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Further education college residential provision

Overall effectiveness This inspection: Good

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Further education college residential provision

Previous inspection: Requires improvement

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Further education college residential provision

Effectiveness of leadership and management Good

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This college is good because:

 Residential learners are positive about their experiences at the college. Learners spoke about the college and the residential experience being ‘valued and giving a realistic insight into their chosen careers’.  The introduction of electronic recording systems has improved access to information learners and college staff. Information exchange ensures that learners are continuing to progress. Access to additional services which promote academic achievement are readily available. Residential learners commonly share their thoughts and concerns and seek help from course tutors or wardens. Alongside these services, learners can access specialist services to support both their physical and emotional well-being.  Residential learners feel safe. Accommodation is protected against intruders and belongings are kept secure Learners appreciate opportunities to consider how to keep themselves safe. Common themes for additional learning include

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This college is good because:

presentations and discussions around bullying, fundamentalism, extremism and core British values.  Continuous progress has been made since the previous inspection and subsequent monitoring visit. Leaders’ and managers’ attention to action and development plans demonstrate a commitment to continuous development. The residential provision is a valued part of the college facilities. Residential learners are included in the student council and as student ambassadors. They describe being listened to and having an impact on the services provided. Further education college residential provision inspection report Date published: 18 May 2016 Inspection Number: 10010602 URN: SC026929

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This is not yet an outstanding college because:

 While refurbishment is ongoing, not all residential learners benefit from an exceptionally high standard of accommodation.  The range and frequency of extra-curricular activities for residential learners is not exceptional.  One CCTV monitor installed in a communal area intrudes on learners’ privacy.  Monitoring of risk by leaders and managers has not identified inaccuracy in the fire risk assessment records.  Employment references for staff are not consistently verified.

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What does the college need to do to improve further?

 Improve risk assessments to make sure that they are accurate and up to date. This particularly applies to the fire risk assessment.  Ensure that all employment references are verified.  Remove or decommission the CCTV device that covers the interior of a communal kitchen/lounge area.  Increase the range and choice of recreational activities available to residential learners.  Consider the provision of formal individual supervision sessions for residential wardens.  Continue with the refurbishment of the residential accommodation.

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Inspection judgements

 Residential learners are provided with support and opportunities to make positive progress at the college. They enjoy spending time with one another and have the chance to join in and spend time alongside those studying other courses. This allows them to gain additional skills and understanding of other disciplines.  Learners feel a genuine sense of responsibility to one another. The college promotes understanding of difference and tolerance in line with core British values. The college is fully integrated into the local community and used frequently by community groups and for special events. This provides employment and work experience opportunities for learners.  Involvement in raising money for charity gives learners a real sense of pride, building self-esteem and confidence. Learners feature frequently in local press stories about their achievements. Events include involvement in a muckspreading event to raise money for the local air ambulance crew, planting

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Inspection judgements

a community woodland and installing horticultural displays and creating lawns and road verges as part of the UK’s first life-size outdoor safety village for children.  The majority of residential learners are spending time away from parents and carers for the first time. They are learning independent social and practical skills, such as cooking and budgeting, alongside studying vocational courses. Residential learners are optimistic about the future and have clear career aspirations.  Healthcare arrangements encourage learners to stay fit and healthy. They can access local medical services and are provided with the information and facilities that they need to make informed choices about such things as diet, exercise and sexual health. Specialist support is provided to promote emotional well-being. Counsellors are available on-site to provide a confidential service. . They also offer a service to those waiting for appointments with specialist support

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Inspection judgements

agencies such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. A local chaplain also visits the site, helping learners to understand about different faiths and religions.  The range of activities has improved since the previous inspection. However, the small number of residents makes it difficult to fund a wide and varied programme. Engagement is often poor and learners frequently prefer to spend time socialising or relaxing after a busy day. Leaders and managers have plans to increase the activities available and there is some evidence of a greater range of activities being provided in future months.

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Inspection judgements

Quality of service Good  The college provides good resources to learners, allowing them to develop academic and social skills. A full-time residential manager and four part-time wardens provide additional support and care for residential learners. Learners say that wardens are caring and easy to talk to. They commented positively about the help and guidance proved by a domestic assistant who they describe as a ‘second mum’.  Food provision is good. Groceries are locally sourced and fresh meals are cooked each day. Special dietary needs are catered for and there is a good variety and choice to provide for a healthy balanced diet. Caterers will deliver hot food to those doing duty work around the college and learners can also order takeaway meals to microwave at their convenience. Ample storage facilities are available for learners bringing food from home.  Since the previous inspection, there has been substantial investment in

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Inspection judgements

improving the residential accommodation. All residential buildings have been decorated inside and outside. In the annex, used by female learners, new flooring has been fitted in communal areas, comfortable furniture installed and the showers now offer privacy and sufficient hot water. All white goods are in working order and laundry facilities have improved. Refurbishment is ongoing and due to be extended to the accommodation used by male learners. Some additional fittings were installed during the inspection to provide a more homely environment.  Learners are able to contact parents and friends. Most have mobile phones or can ask to use a phone. Wi-Fi access across the college supports the use of computer and internet systems for residential learners to keep in touch with others.  The individual and personal support available to learners improves their academic performance as well as catering for personal and emotional needs.

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Inspection judgements

There are several methods available to indicate that support is needed, including an electronic reporting system for learners. Most learners said that they would go to a tutor or one of the wardens for help. A similar range of options are available for learners to express concerns or make a complaint.  Introductions to the college and inductions for learners support their understanding of what facilities are on offer and what is expected of them. The induction is repeated, giving learners another opportunity to take in all the information.

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Inspection judgements

Safeguarding Good  Residential learners say that they are ‘safe in the college and in the accommodation’. They can describe several methods of accessing support and feel that they are offered a personalised service.. Learners gave an account of the attention to health and safety in the college. They are fully aware that the land-based industries that they have chosen to work in are amongst the most dangerous occupations.  Learners appreciated opportunities to consider and be alert to issues of extremism. . An atmosphere of comradery between learners is evident. Following some work around bullying, learners were able to consider how innocent banter or throw-away comments can be hurtful or misinterpreted.  Staff understand how to deal with any safeguarding issues or concerns about learners. Protecting learners’ welfare is an essential part of induction training for staff. Learners know how to raise any concerns and are assured of being

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Inspection judgements

listened to and are confident that staff will take effective action. The approach to dealing with complaints is pragmatic. Complainants are consulted throughout the process and further feedback is sought from them following a resolution.  Support plans are in place to ensure the safety, welfare and progress of those with additional needs. The introduction of and improved access to electronic recording systems have significantly enhanced sharing of information between staff. Those who have specific responsibility for the welfare of residential learners are alerted to providing for any additional support needs.  The designated lead person for safeguarding works in close partnership with other agencies. This allows the college to keep up to date with current practice and informed of any issues which may affect learners’ safety. The local safeguarding board and police are amongst those offering guidance.

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Inspection judgements

 The small number of residential learners allows for wardens to keep track of their whereabouts. Learners take responsibility for letting wardens know if they go off the college site and regular checks are made to make sure that they are safe. Systems are in place to respond effectively should residential learners go missing from the college. Staff responses are effective in quickly determining where learners may be. Parents and other stakeholders are kept informed of any unauthorised absence and wardens are clear about when to involve the police if assistance is needed to secure the safe return of a learner.  Exits and entrances to residential accommodation are secure. Residential learners have entrance keys. Bedroom doors lock and there are several options for the safe storage of personal belongings.  CCTV operates around areas of the site. Cameras are mainly focused on exits to and from the residential buildings. One camera sited in the kitchen/ lounge area

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Inspection judgements

of the annex accommodation compromises the privacy of residents without adding any safeguarding benefits.  Risk assessments which are regularly reviewed support the safety and welfare of learners. The fire risk assessment record is unclear. However, learners are protected against the risks of fire. This shortfall constitutes a records issue, rather than a safety issue.  Restriction of liberty is not a feature of this college. Learners are clear about the positive behaviour expected of them. The atmosphere around the college is positive and friendly and the majority of learners live up to the high expectations that staff have of them.  Monitoring of the college computers allows for staff to deal quickly with access to any inappropriate sites. The college finds imaginative ways to keep learners thinking about keeping themselves safe online. Vetting of staff has improved since the previous inspection. All adults employed by the college and their family

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Inspection judgements

members who live on the site now have Disclosure and Barring Service checks in place. It was not possible to evidence reference verification checks for a small number of staff to ensure a robust recruitment system.

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Inspection judgements

The effectiveness of leadership and management Good

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Inspection judgements

 Leaders and managers were quick in providing an effective response to the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. There is an enthusiasm and ongoing commitment to continue with developments and provide the very best services for learners. Self-assessment of the college performance is clear and accurate. Planning for improvements involves consultation with learners who are represented on the student council and also as student ambassadors.  Policies to support staff practice are in place and readily available. A warden’s handbook provides additional guidance to these staff who complete an induction programme and essential training as part of preparation in understanding their roles and responsibilities. Regular meetings between warden staff and managers provide for group supervision and opportunities to address any concerns or issues.  Governors play an active role in the life of the college. They provide oversight

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Inspection judgements

and monitoring of the college facilities alongside making informed decisions about expenditure and development planning. The deputy principal described the chair of governors as ‘a critical friend’. Each governor has a particular area of responsibility which includes a person with an interest in the residential provision. Residential learners are included in regular meetings with members of the governing body and managers and leaders of the college.  Residential learners feel that they are listened to and that they contribute to the developments made. Food portion sizes were recently increased following a request from residential learners. They also commented on a new fence erected around residential houses, following a suggestion by the governing body saying that ‘it feels safer and makes the place more private’.  The quality of support and care offered to residential learners allows for the college to accommodate those with additional needs and/or disabilities. Support

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Inspection judgements

plans are in place where needed, records are stored electronically and shared on a need-to-know basis. COLLEGE DETAILS

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Inspection judgements

Type of college Further education college residential provision

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Inspection judgements

Approximate number of learners in residence 7 + 8 staying overnight for duty roles

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Inspection judgements

Principal/CEO Ms Clare Davison Date of previous inspection 2 March 2015 Website address www.kmw.ac.uk

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Purpose and Scope of 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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Purpose and Scope of inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the inspection framework and the evaluation schedule for the inspection of accommodation in further education colleges.

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Contextual information

Kingston Maurward College is set in a 300 hectare (750 acre) estate, two miles from the county town of Dorchester. The college offers a vast range of full- and part-time, work-based further education courses and apprenticeships. As an associate college of Bournemouth University, it is also able to provide higher education courses including foundation degrees. A range of study options are also available to school pupils between 14 and 16 years. The college provides a limited range of residential accommodation on-site, which consists predominantly of single study bedrooms with groups of eight to 10 students to a house. A minority of students living in college accommodation are aged under 18 years. In addition, a small number of under 18-year-olds may live in college accommodation when they are required to be on early morning and evening agricultural and equine duties.

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Information about this inspection

Two social care regulatory inspectors (SCRIs) carried out the inspection with short notice. Inspectors took account of the provider's most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. Inspectors also used data on learners' achievements over the last three years to help them make judgements. Inspectors used group and individual interviews, telephone calls and online questionnaires to gather the views of learners and employers. These views are reflected throughout the report.

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Grade Judgement

Detailed grade characteristics can be viewed in the ‘Evaluation schedule for inspection of residential provision in further education colleges 2014’.

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Grade Judgement

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/evaluation-schedule-for-inspection-of-residential- provision-further-education-colleges

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Grade Judgement

guidance 'Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/ofsted If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 , or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . 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 Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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.

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Grade Judgement

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