EQV (UK) Limited

Name of lead inspector: Julie Gibson, Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Dock 116 75 Exploration Drive Pioneer Park Leicester LE4 5NU Monitoring visit: EQV (UK) Ltd, 14 August 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 theme set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

EQV (UK) Ltd (EQV), established in 1992, is based in Leicester. The company specialises in information technology and management training. EQV has offered directly delivered levy-funded apprenticeships since July 2017. It has 105 apprentices funded through the employer levy. Of these, 83 follow standards-based programmes for managers at level 3 and 23 at level 5. Apprentices are employed in a range of businesses in the public and private sectors.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have taken prompt action to rectify concerns raised at the previous monitoring visit. They fully understand their safeguarding duty. Leaders and managers now place a high priority on safeguarding apprentices and have implemented appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures.

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Reasonable progress

Staff are trained effectively in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. They understand their responsibilities to protect apprentices including from the dangers of extremism and radicalisation. For example, apprentices now have progress reviews concentrating on welfare and safeguarding. Leaders and managers monitor responses and identify trends. Where necessary, they take action to ensure that apprentices are safe.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices understand how to stay safe, how to make a disclosure and what would happen if they did. They understand appropriately the dangers of radicalisation and extremism but are not sufficiently made aware of any specific local risks.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders now carry out thorough checks on staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with apprentices. They check staff have the right to work in the United Kingdom. Workplace references are routinely collected prior to employment. Monitoring visit: EQV (UK) Ltd, 14 August 2019 Leaders and managers have implemented fully new systems to ensure that apprentices work in a safe environment. Employers and apprentices understand appropriately their health and safety responsibilities. For example, managers complete a health and safety check with employers at the workplace before the apprentice starts their programme. Trainers carefully monitor this and discuss any potential threats with apprentices during progress reviews. As a consequence, apprentices know how to stay safe in the workplace and what to do if they have concerns. Monitoring visit: EQV (UK) Ltd, 14 August 2019 the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s

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Reasonable progress

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 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

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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

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

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