Avensys UK Training Limited

Avensys UK Training Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector:

William Baidoe-Ansah, Her Majesty’s Inspector Inspection dates: 25–26 September 2019

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Name of lead inspector:

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Frederick Road Hoo Farm Industrial Estate Kidderminster Worcestershire DY11 7RA Monitoring visit: Avensys UK Training Ltd, 25–26 September 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 the Education and Skills Funding Agency (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 ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

In January 2018 Avensys UK Training Ltd became a prime contract holder. In March 2018 they expanded their offer to include healthcare science and clinical engineering apprenticeships. Currently, 29 apprentices are enrolled on level 2 and level 4 healthcare science apprenticeships and level 3 medical engineering apprenticeships. All apprentices are levy funded with just over half undertaking standards-based apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear strategic direction and purpose. They offer hospitals across the country a specialised apprenticeship in bio-medical engineering. This meets the needs of the NHS and provides apprentices with a career path within the health service.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have developed a curriculum with good routes for progression. These range from level 2 apprenticeships to degree-level qualifications. A few apprentices have undertaken useful additional qualifications. Nearly all apprentices who started the course are still on it.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices benefit from their entitlement of off-the-job training. This is often a combination of off-site courses, in-house product technical training and workplace visits. Managers monitor this effectively.

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Reasonable progress

Currently, a senior management meeting fulfils the functions of governance for the training. Senior leaders receive regular reports on how well the programme is meeting its statutory requirements, including safeguarding. The report has a strong focus on recruitment and compliance. Managers are aware of the need to enhance Monitoring visit: Avensys UK Training Ltd, 25–26 September 2019 current arrangements to provide a greater focus on the educational performance of apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have been slow to support the transition from frameworks to standards- based apprenticeships. Managers have recently improved the teaching of wider skills, such as leadership, in the standards-based curriculum. They have also begun to provide the same focus on the development of behaviours as on knowledge and skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have quality improvement arrangements in place. The self- assessment report and observation of training focus too much on the requirements of examination boards. They do not focus enough on the quality of education.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors have specialist knowledge and expertise which they update regularly. As a result, apprentices receive high-quality specialist off-the-job technical training. This enables them to link and apply their engineering learning to the human body.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices and employers benefit from the new skills and knowledge they are acquiring. Apprentices have improved their clinical knowledge and can describe confidently how to use specialist equipment. In one context, apprentices were able to carry out repairs and maintenance more thoroughly and work on a wider range of equipment.

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Reasonable progress

Employers support apprentices well. They provide appropriately qualified and experienced mentors for them. Apprentices have at least one full day each week for their training. This is flexible and meets employers’ and apprentices’ needs.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have frequent email and telephone contact with assessors. Assessors provide useful guidance. The feedback they give helps apprentices improve and encourages them to proofread their work. This helps them communicate accurately at work and produce better-quality reports. However, a few assessors do not provide developmental feedback quickly. This hinders the progress of a minority of apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices receive useful guidance about the medical engineering sector. They are also informed about wider careers opportunities available to them.

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Reasonable progress

A few trainers do not order the course in a way that makes it easier for apprentices to build their knowledge. For instance, they do not cover engineering fundamentals before teaching more complex topics. Monitoring visit: Avensys UK Training Ltd, 25–26 September 2019 A few employers are not involved in the planning of apprentices’ programmes or the review of their progress. As a result, they are not able to support apprentices to ensure that the programme meets the needs of the business.

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Reasonable progress

Progress reviews do not support sufficiently the evaluation of apprentices’ progress across their whole programme. Staff do not focus enough on the development of new behaviours, or wider knowledge and skills. Too few apprentices understand the broader elements of their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures, including for the ‘Prevent’ duty. All staff receive appropriate annual training.

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Reasonable progress

A designated safeguarding officer has links with local safeguarding bodies. They keep a record of incidents. To date no incidents have occurred. Senior leaders receive a report on safeguarding at their monthly meetings. Leaders carry out appropriate pre- employment checks on applicants to ensure that they can work safely with apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices cover safeguarding, the ‘Prevent’ duty and fundamental British values at induction. Most apprentices have high levels of safeguarding training at their place of work. As a result, most apprentices know how to keep themselves and others safe. Monitoring visit: Avensys UK Training Ltd, 25–26 September 2019 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.

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Reasonable progress

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 .

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Reasonable progress

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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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