Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd

Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Nigel Bragg, Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Trent Business Centre Thoroton Road West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 5FT Monitoring visit: Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd, 22–23 October 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 ‘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

Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd (NCS) is based in Nottingham. It started to deliver apprenticeship training in June 2018. NCS delivers standards-based apprenticeships through the employer levy. Currently, there are 18 butcher apprentices studying at level 2 or 3. In addition, nine apprentices are working towards team leader/supervisor apprenticeships at level 3. NCS does not subcontract any of the apprenticeship provision.

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Reasonable progress

Managers make good use of their knowledge and experience to design training programmes that address workplace skills shortages. Tutors deliver training on employers’ premises that is carefully aligned to commercial processes and requirements. Managers collaborate effectively with employers to recruit only those individuals who will benefit from developing new vocational knowledge, skills and behaviours.

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Reasonable progress

Managers plan programmes that meet the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship. They review training programmes systematically to ensure that they meet apprentices’ and employers’ needs. Managers check carefully that all apprentices receive their full entitlement to off-the-job training. In most cases, they receive far in excess of that demanded by the apprenticeship. Consequently, apprentices make the expected or better progress.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have implemented an appropriate English and mathematics skills- development strategy. This ensures that apprentices receive the relevant help from tutors to gain the level of English and mathematics required by their programme. Apprentices’ English and mathematics pass rates at first sittings are high. Monitoring visit: Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd, 22–23 October 2019 Managers have a sound understanding of the provision’s strengths and weaknesses. They deal quickly with areas for improvement to enhance apprentices’ learning experiences. For example, managers use observation of training to inform improvement actions that lead to tutors raised professional standards.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have established suitable end-point assessment (EPA) arrangements. They have implemented comprehensive actions to increase apprentices’ awareness of, and preparedness for, testing. However, in a few cases tutors have yet to provide butcher apprentices with enough help so they are confident to perform all practical tasks.

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Reasonable progress

Managers recognise that not all tutors record routinely butcher apprentices’ development in enough detail during progress reviews. As a result, a few apprentices do not have a full record to refer to that aids their progress. It is too early to judge the effect of initiatives to raise the standard of record-keeping.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive high-quality on- and off-the-job training. This ensures that they develop rapidly and become more competent in their work roles. For example, team leader/supervisor apprentices describe how they can apply their new knowledge and skills to solve complex project and performance-management problems. Employers value greatly apprentices’ improved effectiveness and contribution to business-objective attainment.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors and workplace supervisors work closely to ensure that they sequence training so that apprentices gain the relevant knowledge and skills swiftly. For example, butcher apprentices at level 2 develop a good standard of knife skills, de-boning the chump end of meat prior to attempting more demanding cuts. However, this planning is less developed and successful for all butcher apprentices at level 3.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive good personal support from tutors and workplace supervisors that improves their self-assurance and self-esteem significantly. These enhancements allow apprentices to deal confidently with the demands of their programme as well as their job role. All apprentices aspire to gain high grades at the EPA and are on track to achieve by the planned end date.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors monitor satisfactorily apprentices’ progress and check their awareness of the learning programme. Most apprentices receive assessments that are frequent and effective in promoting their rapid progress. Tutors generally give feedback that allows apprentices to improve their theoretical and practical understanding. Monitoring visit: Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd, 22–23 October 2019 Apprentices receive good support to complete English and mathematics functional skills qualifications. Tutors encourage apprentices successfully to achieve accreditation above the level needed to complete their programme. Mathematics is fully integrated into the programme and ensures that apprentices can apply their learning to a range of scenarios. However, tutors do not correct routinely all apprentices’ spelling and grammatical errors. Consequently, these apprentices repeat mistakes and fail to learn how to improve their written work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have established safeguarding arrangements that are fit for purpose. They are used effectively to protect apprentices. All staff have been subject to appropriate vetting prior to starting their duties.

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Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding officer (DSO) is appropriately knowledgeable, skilled and experienced. Staff have received suitable training that includes how to implement the government’s ‘Prevent’ duty. In addition, staff have completed appropriate training on the dangers associated with radicalisation and extremism. Staff and apprentices usually have a good awareness of how to keep safe from extremist ideologies.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices know how to raise a safeguarding concern and are confident managers will deal with it in an appropriate manner. The DSO has dealt effectively with the few safeguarding issues that have arisen. Apprentices have an adequate awareness of how to protect themselves when working online. They generally exhibit an appropriate understanding of British values. Monitoring visit: Nebula Consultancy Services Ltd, 22–23 October 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

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Reasonable progress

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

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