Lewtay Training Limited

Lewtay Training Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Sambit Sen, Her Majesty's Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Unit 9 Forder Way Hampton Peterborough PE7 8GX Monitoring visit: Lewtay Training Limited, 12–13 June 2019

p.1

Context and focus of visit

From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by ESFA and/or the apprenticeship levy. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the Further education and skills inspection handbook, especially the sections entitled ‘Providers newly directly funded to deliver apprenticeship training provision’ and ‘Monitoring visits’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Lewtay Training Limited is a private training provider established in 2013. It started delivering directly funded apprenticeship provision in May 2017. Currently, 84 apprentices are on apprenticeship programmes. Most of these apprentices are on the children and young people workforce – residential childcare framework level 3. A few of the apprentices are on the level 3 team leader standard and level 5 leadership and management framework. Lewtay does not subcontract any aspects of its apprenticeship provision. Lewtay is a subcontractor for another prime contractor, but these apprentices are out of scope for this inspection.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers use their knowledge of the residential childcare sector to carefully design apprenticeship programmes. They ensure that the content meets the individual needs of apprentices and their employers. Leaders and managers work closely with their employers to recruit apprentices. They take appropriate steps to ensure that they recruit them fairly and with integrity. For example, all recent recruits complete their six-month employment probation before they enrol on an apprenticeship programme. This ensures that they are on the most appropriate level apprenticeship for the job roles they perform and will learn new skills and knowledge as a result.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers recruit staff with appropriate qualifications and experience of the sector to support apprentices with their learning. Leaders and managers know and understand what an effective apprenticeship programme should be. They have ensured that they have a clear oversight of apprentices’ ongoing progress. This ensures that should an apprentice fall behind with their programme, managers put the appropriate measures in place to help them catch up with their work.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have not ensured that apprentices and employers are aware of the requirements for their final assessments. While they have provided effective training to their assessors, too many apprentices and employers are unclear about Monitoring visit: Lewtay Training Limited, 12–13 June 2019 what apprentices need to do to achieve high grades and pass their final assessments.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have strong internal quality assurance measures. They have used their experience as a subcontractor to effectively develop measures that give them a good understanding about the quality of learning. However, governance arrangements are relatively new, and it is too soon to judge any impact.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that apprentices receive appropriate careers advice and guidance. Staff ensure that apprentices are well informed about their choices and potential next steps in the care sector. As a result, many apprentices gain promotion within their organisation.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop and improve their knowledge, skills and behaviour relevant to their work settings. They use their new knowledge to ensure that they support their clients sensitively and appropriately. For example, apprentices apply their understanding of attachment theory to help residents recognise and manage feelings of separation from their loved ones when they first settle into a new care home.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Employers are very supportive of the apprenticeship programme. They work collaboratively with assessors to ensure that the training they give apprentices in the workplace relates appropriately to the care needs of their cleints. Apprentices are keen to learn, and to improve the standard of care that they deliver, so that they make a positive contribution to their employers’ businesses. For example, apprentices working with children and young people in residential settings use their new understanding about children’s development to manage the often-challenging behaviour of the children in their care more effectively.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Most assessors provide effective feedback that enables apprentices to improve the quality of their work. Apprentices produce good standards of work and most receive good advice on the skills they need to develop before their assessor’s next visit.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Most assessors monitor apprentices’ progress effectively. They support apprentices to catch up when they fall behind by arranging extra and more frequent sessions.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Assessors do not ensure that apprentices make good progress in developing their English and mathematical skills. Apprentices rely heavily on self-study and online learning materials to cover the content of their English and mathematics qualifications. While managers have recently appointed specialist staff, it is too soon to judge any impact. Monitoring visit: Lewtay Training Limited, 12–13 June 2019

p.3

Reasonable progress

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. Leaders and managers place a high priority on safeguarding their apprentices and have established effective safeguarding policies and procedures to keep them safe. Leaders ensure that they carry out appropriate checks on all staff prior to their employment.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Staff understand their responsibilities relating to safeguarding. They have received appropriate training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. Employers also provide highly effective training for apprentices in these areas. As a result, apprentices have a good understanding of the risks in the sector in which they work. For example, apprentices apply their knowledge of the ‘Prevent’ duty to the family circumstances surrounding young people in their care, especially those at risk of radicalisation.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Assessors ensure that apprentices follow safe working practices. Staff complete highly detailed reviews of employers’ premises with employers. They ensure the physical safety of apprentices in the workplace. Monitoring visit: Lewtay Training Limited, 12–13 June 2019 the guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-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 . Learner View Learner View is a website where learners can tell Ofsted what they think about their college or provider. They can also see what other learners think about them too. To find out more go to www.learnerview.ofsted.gov.uk .

p.4

Reasonable progress

Employer View Employer View is a website where employers can tell Ofsted what they think about their employees' college or provider. They can also see what other employers think about them too. To find out more go to www.employerview.ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

regulates and inspects to 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. 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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to

p.5

Reasonable progress

the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5