Vogal Group Limited

Vogal Group Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Rebecca Perry, Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Helpston Road Ailsworth Peterborough PE5 7AE Monitoring visit: Vogal Group Limited, 24 July 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 follow- up safeguarding monitoring visit has been carried out consequent to the provider being found to be making insufficient progress with respect to safeguarding at their previous monitoring visit. It follows the arrangements outlined in the Further education and skills inspection handbook.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

The focus of this visit is only on the safeguarding theme below.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Vogal Training is part of the larger Vogal Group Limited. It provides apprenticeship training in engineering. Vogal Training began delivering apprenticeships through its own contract in 2017. At the time of the monitoring visit, 18 apprentices were in learning. Apprentices are all on frameworks, studying at either intermediate or advanced level.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Senior leaders responded swiftly to the previous monitoring visit findings. They appointed a new centre manager with good knowledge and experience of safeguarding requirements. The manager is also the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). Leaders and managers have also appointed a safeguarding officer. They have ensured that all staff have completed relevant training in safeguarding, the ‘Prevent’ duty and wider issues such as female genital mutilation, forced and arranged marriage and up-skirting. As a result, staff have a good awareness of safeguarding and are fully aware of their responsibilities to protect learners.

p.2

Reasonable progress

The managing director for the wider Vogal Group takes overall responsibility for safeguarding apprentices and effectively monitors arrangements. He, the DSL and the safeguarding officer have completed advanced training. Leaders have ensured that policies and procedures are up to date, fit for purpose and contain useful information for staff and apprentices. They have also ensured that, should a disclosure occur, processes in place for referring concerns are robust and effective.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Staff with safeguarding responsibilities meet regularly to review arrangements for safeguarding. As a result, leaders and managers have responded quickly to identified areas for improvement. For example, safer recruitment practices are now followed. Leaders complete relevant checks on all staff, including updated Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Monitoring visit: Vogal Group Limited, 24 July 2019 Apprentices have completed online training in safeguarding, radicalisation awareness, understanding how to report concerns, and staying safe online. As a result, apprentices now have a sound understanding of these aspects. Leaders recognise that an area for improvement remains in developing and ensuring an ongoing culture of safeguarding at the provider.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Employers’ understanding of safeguarding is underdeveloped. Employers are aware of the recent training that apprentices have undertaken. However, leaders have not yet ensured that employers understand fully the now effective arrangements for safeguarding within the provider. Monitoring visit: Vogal Group Limited, 24 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 .

p.3

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.4

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.4

Reasonable progress

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

p.4

Reasonable progress

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

p.4

Reasonable progress

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

p.4