Gower College Swansea

Gower College Swansea Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Bob Cowdrey, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Tycoch Road Sketty Swansea SA2 9EB Monitoring visit: Gower College Swansea, 26 November 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 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 its previous monitoring visit. It follows the arrangements outlined in the Further education and skills inspection handbook.

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Context and focus of visit

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

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Context and focus of visit

Gower College Swansea started to deliver apprenticeships in England in October 2017. Currently, there are 57 levy-funded apprentices. All apprentices are over 19 years of age. Twenty-five apprentices are on apprenticeship frameworks at level 2. Eighteen of these are on improving operational performance and seven are on facilities management. Thirty-one apprentices are studying at level 3. Six of these are on the management standard and 18 are on the facilities management standard. Seven apprentices are on the employment-related services framework. One apprentice is on the management standard at level 5. A subcontractor delivers approximately half of the apprenticeship programmes. At this visit, 33 apprentices had successfully completed their apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers began improving their safeguarding arrangements immediately after the monitoring visit in August 2019. Leaders have strengthened the management of safeguarding by appointing a governor who oversees safeguarding in work-based learning and reports directly to the corporation. Leaders have also appointed a college learning services and quality coordinator as a designated safeguarding lead. As a result, senior managers have significantly increased their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. Apprentices interviewed during this visit demonstrated a very good understanding of online safety, radicalisation, extremism and British values. They confidently explained how it related to their work and personal lives.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have improved the ‘Prevent’ duty action-planning process and reporting arrangements. Actions are clear and managers monitor them thoroughly. Managers have strengthened recruitment processes, ensuring that they carry out rigorous Monitoring visit: Gower College Swansea, 26 November 2019 safeguarding checks for all staff, including those working in the subcontractor’s provision. They maintain a comprehensive single central register which they monitor thoroughly.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe in the workplace. As a result of the safeguarding training they have completed, apprentices and staff are much more knowledgeable and confident in exploring and discussing safeguarding. Most employers have also undertaken the training and are right to value it highly.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have developed their partnerships with safeguarding boards and regional networks. Consequently, partners provide college managers and staff with information about local, regional and national risks on a regular basis. They then incorporate these risks into the ‘Prevent’ duty action plan. As a result, apprentices are much more aware of the safeguarding concerns in the areas in which they live and work. Monitoring visit: Gower College Swansea, 26 November 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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