Careshield Limited

CareShield Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector:

Gerard McGrath, Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) Inspection date(s): 10 to 11 July 2019

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Name of lead inspector:

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Bank House Primett Rd Stevenage SG1 3EE Monitoring visit: CareShield Limited, 10 to 11 July 2019

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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.

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Context and focus of visit

CareShield Limited received a direct contract to be a provider of apprenticeships in April 2018. It offers a blended learning programme with a combination of online learning modules and individual coaching to apprentices across England. At the time of inspection, CareShield had 145 apprentices, with around half funded through the employer levy. All apprentices are adults on level 2 adult care worker and level 3 lead adult care worker apprenticeship standards programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear rationale for the development and delivery of apprenticeships within the care sector. They understand clearly what the requirements of good-quality apprenticeship training are. Leaders and managers have planned effectively for the introduction and provision of standards-based apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that apprentices have appropriate learning resources to support high-quality training. Tutor/assessors are specialists in their subjects. They hold relevant vocational qualifications and have significant experience of working in the care sector. CareShield provides a wide range of high-quality online resources for off-the-job training.

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Reasonable progress

Employers and managers advise apprentices effectively about careers within care. As a result, apprentices often progress to more senior roles and take on additional responsibilities in their work places. Apprentices’ career aspirations are discussed throughout their training. However, the provider offers insufficient advice and guidance about progression routes to higher education.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders’ and managers’ evaluation of the quality of their provision is accurate and drives improvement in the quality of learning. For example, senior managers have successfully addressed the underperformance of tutor/assessors who provided Monitoring visit: CareShield Limited, 10 to 11 July 2019 ineffective support and challenge to apprentices. This has strengthened provision and ensured that apprentices who previously made slow progress now make better progress in their learning. Leaders and managers recognised that information about apprentices’ progress was inaccurate and have already taken actions to improve the collection and analysis of relevant data.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that all employers and apprentices are informed about the requirements of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme. Tutor/assessors monitor the attendance at off-the-job training during learning reviews with apprentices. Apprentices enjoy the flexibility to complete the online training modules at times that suit them and this helps them to progress in their learning. A few work place supervisors do not fully understand the requirements of the apprenticeship programme.

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Reasonable progress

Governance is appropriate. Senior officers and directors have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in the provision that enables them to effectively support and challenge managers.

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Reasonable progress

Tutor/assessors work closely with apprentices and employers to ensure that apprentices develop new knowledge and skills. As a result, apprentices are very effectively prepared for working with their vulnerable service users. Tutor/assessors schedule assessments and review visits to fit in with apprentices’ work patterns, including during night shifts. They provide effective support and encouragement that help apprentices to progress well in their learning. As a result, almost all apprentices remain on their programme. Employers report that turnover rates are lower among apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices make good progress from their individual starting points. They develop appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours. For example, one learner has undertaken responsibility for staff rostering and another has taken the lead in carrying out manual-handling assessments in their work place. Tutor/assessors have formed effective, collaborative relationships with employers who are routinely involved in monitoring and supporting apprentices’ progress. Apprentices are valued by their employers and make a positive contribution in their workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Tutor/assessors accurately assess apprentices’ starting points in English and mathematics. They use the results of initial assessments to plan effective support that helps apprentices develop their English and mathematics skills well. Apprentices understand the relevance of these skills in their work roles, for instance when completing care plans and recording clinical observations. Monitoring visit: CareShield Limited, 10 to 11 July 2019 Apprentices produce written work of an appropriate standard to their level of study. They apply their knowledge appropriately and provide useful examples of their practice with the vulnerable service users in their care. Tutor/assessors provide useful feedback on apprentices’ written work, including how to make further improvements. Apprentices with previous experience of care work develop a better understanding of the legislation and principles of care that underpin their daily

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a basic understanding of British values and of equality and diversity. They recognise the relevance of these issues to their workplace and how this helps them to give good support to the diverse groups of children and vulnerable adults in their care.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed a good culture of safeguarding. They ensure the safe recruitment of staff. All staff who work with apprentices are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks. A suitably trained and experienced designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is in post. Apprentices feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe in their workplaces and online.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers are taking reasonable steps to meet the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty. Apprentices have an adequate understanding of the general risks associated with radicalisation and extremism. However, few have a sufficient appreciation of the relevance of these topics to their work. Monitoring visit: CareShield Limited, 10 to 11 July 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 .

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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 .

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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 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 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

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Reasonable progress

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

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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