Derby College (Broomfield)

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield) Derby College (Broomfield) Derby College, Broomfield Hall, Broomfield Estate, Morley, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE76DN

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Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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residential accommodation

Broomfield Hall is one of the four campuses of Derby College. It is situated in Morley, near to Derby. The college was last inspected in October 2014.

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outstanding

How well young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The college provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the college contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for young people.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 16 October 2014 Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield)

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Key findings from this inspection

 The highly effective leadership team provides clear direction, has a good understanding of the provision’s strengths and weaknesses, and continually strives to develop the service.  Service developments are led by research. Strong links with other colleges and external agencies ensure that leaders are well informed.  Young people enjoy their time in the residential provision. They benefit greatly from being part of a small residential community with access to the excellent resources that a large college offers.  Health and safety systems are strong. These systems, combined with excellent safeguarding practice, ensure that young people are safe.  The residential team, manager, wardens, catering staff and cleaners are much appreciated by the young people. Young people say that this is a friendly college and that they would recommended it to their friends.  Residential staff are very well supported and receive a high standard of training. This

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Key findings from this inspection

enables them to meet the diverse needs of the young people. Staff see themselves in the role of a good parent. As a result, young people feel valued and cared for.  Raising mental health awareness has been a focus for this college. This means that the emotional and mental well-being of young people is a high priority.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Vetting procedures are strong. However, conversations with referees are not currently recorded when verifying references.

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Point for Improvement:

Consider recording conversations with referees when verifying references. (Linked to NMS 34) Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield)

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: Outstanding

Young people are positive about student and residential life. They say that they ‘love the wardens’. They report feeling safe in residence and well cared for. They know how to contact a warden if they need help and are happy to talk to the wardens about any concerns they may have. Young people are generally well behaved and have respect for each other, staff and the college. Young people benefit from a highly effective induction into residence. The induction has recently been reviewed and updated to reflect current research about what makes an effective student induction. Subsequently, young people quickly settle into residential life and make friends. Transitions from the college are very well supported. This helps young people into higher education, training, apprenticeships or employment. Young people make good academic progress. Support from the wardens helps with this. Access to learning and study resources are excellent. College leaders have a range of

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: Outstanding

means to track academic progress. Progress is reviewed at weekly manager’s meetings. Young people not making the expected progress are provided with further individual support to get them back on track. Young people have access to excellent individual support. For example, a young person is being supported to attend a golf tournament in Scotland while, at the same time, completing an exam. A nearby college has been contacted to host the exam. This will enable the young person to do both. This shows that staff go out of their way to help and support individual young people. Young people with additional learning and support needs get the help that they need to fully participate in college life. For example, young people are provided with specialist equipment to help them with their studies if this is an identified need. Staff are sensitive towards young people who have mental health conditions or issues

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: Outstanding

relating to their emotional well-being. There are a range of measures to support these young people, including a specialist intervention team. The specialist intervention team tailor specific packages of care and support to young people’s needs. Young people also benefit from student coaching sessions and student welfare group meetings. Individual sessions are provided for young people who struggle in group situations. Young people are very well consulted about residential and college life. Leaders respect and take note of the student voice. Young people feel listened to and respected. Young people enjoy a wide range of activities that help to develop their independence skills, social development and confidence. Activities include movie nights, shopping, cinema, bowling, sports and baking. Young people have also enjoyed dressing up for Halloween this year. Residential accommodation is appropriate and has been improved. Young people have

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: Outstanding

single study bedrooms. These are clean, tidy and well maintained. The under-18 Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield) residential provision is split by gender. Each building has its own small communal area. This provides a kitchen, dining area and lounge. Young people say that their rooms and communal areas are comfortable and generally meet their needs. They feel that it would be beneficial for them to have a cooker and freezer as well as the microwave, fridge and toaster that they already have. However, the young people are fully catered for and so do not need to cook meals. The residential manager says she will be opening up a college kitchen to enable young people to practise their cooking skills. Residential accommodation is secure. Young people are issued with their own electronic fob. This only allows them access to their own building. The fobs also act as a signing in

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: Outstanding

and out system, which helps wardens to know who is in the buildings. Furthermore, wardens check young people every few hours until they are all back in their rooms. There is also 24-hour security and CCTV.

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How well young people are helped and protected: Outstanding

Safeguarding young people is taken seriously and concerns are acted on promptly. There is excellent interagency working, which means that staff have access to up-to-date information and practice. This helps to keep young people safe. The college’s excellent safeguarding practice is shared with other colleges, schools and agencies. Safeguarding young people is central to college life. British values and the Prevent agenda are high priorities for the college. This is evident through the training of staff and the development of key relationships with other agencies. Subsequently, staff have a good awareness of young people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. Wardens take quick and effective action if they believe a young person may be at risk of harm. For example, when they were concerned that a young person was at risk of going missing, they quickly consulted the young person’s parent as well as trying to contact

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How well young people are helped and protected: Outstanding

the young person. This resulted in the young person safely returning to the college. Young people do not report bullying as an issue. They say that they all get on really well together. There are no issues about taking illegal substances or underage drinking. Incidents are few and far between and managed well. Managers learn from incidents and put in effective measures to help prevent a similar occurrence. Vetting procedures are strong and help to protect young people from unsuitable adults. However, these could be further strengthened by recording conversations when verifying references.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

Strategic and operational management has been strengthened following a recent restructure. This led to the appointment of a residential manager who works alongside the student services manager. There is also a designated link governor for the residential provision. This means that there is very good oversight of the residential provision. The college leadership team is positive, responsive and ambitious. The team members Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield) achieve continuous improvement. The appointment of the residential manager has been exceptionally positive. She is highly motivated, committed and passionate. She has already implemented a number of improvements to the residential student experience. She has many more ideas and feels very well supported to implement these. Wardens have access to an exceedingly good standard of training and support. They

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

know the young people very well. They act as good parents, providing young people with good-quality care and support. The college have been proactive in promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma associated with mental health. It also works with a national children’s charity dedicated to providing training and support in child mental health. This work began when leaders recognised an increase in the number of concerns about young people’s mental health. Comprehensive policies and procedures are updated annually and are fully available to staff to guide their residential practice. Policies are inclusive and are young person friendly. For example, the transgender policy was put together in consultation with a student who is transgender.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of young people. They watched how professional staff work with young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the college knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield)

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details

Social care unique reference number: SC060178 Principal/CEO: Mandie Stravino

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Inspector(s)

Joanne Vyas, social care inspector Phillip Morris, social care inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Derby College (Broomfield) 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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