Zenith People Limited

Zenith People Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Pat Hornsby, Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

201 Business Works Henry Robson Way South Shields NE33 1RF Monitoring visit: Zenith People Limited, 20–21 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 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

Zenith People Limited has offices in Hebburn and South Shields in South Tyneside. It began delivering apprenticeships for levy-paying employers in January 2018. Most apprentices are on business administration and sales programmes. The company also offers apprenticeships in customer service, team leading and operational/departmental management. Programmes range from level 2 to level 5, and include both apprenticeship frameworks and standards. Apprentices are employed in the manufacturing and service industries in the north east of England. Currently, 63 apprentices are on programmes, of whom a quarter are aged 16 to 18.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders use local and regional labour market information, and their links with external stakeholders, to develop programmes that meet local and regional needs. They work closely with employers to recruit apprentices who are suited well to their job roles and to place them on the right programme.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that the principles and requirements of apprenticeships are met. They plan the curriculum effectively so that apprentices develop significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours required for their roles. They ensure that apprentices receive sufficient time for off-the-job learning.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers use accurate information on apprentices’ progress to monitor them closely, and to take action if apprentices are falling behind with their studies. In such instances, assessors increase the frequency of their support visits.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have taken effective action, since the first year of delivery when retention was low, to reduce the number of apprentices who leave their programmes early. They have ceased to work with a few employers that were not sufficiently supportive. Monitoring visit: Zenith People Limited, 20–21 November 2019 Leaders and managers ensure that sufficient staff resources are allocated to deliver the programmes. Assessors visit apprentices in the workplace at least once each month to provide coaching and support. Assessors complete training to keep up to date with their subjects and the qualification requirements. However, they have not completed any recent training to develop and refresh their teaching skills.

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Reasonable progress

Suitable quality assurance arrangements are in place, including observations of training, audits of apprentices’ evidence portfolios and annual self-assessment. A governing board is in place to provide external scrutiny and support. Leaders and managers have an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and are implementing an improvement plan. They have rightly identified the need to provide training for staff in mathematics, so that they are better able to support apprentices who are completing functional skills qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices make the progress expected of them and develop knowledge and skills that are of significant benefit to their employers, such as greater success in price negotiations and sales campaigns. They contribute fully in their work roles and grow in confidence. For example, apprentices are able to take on more responsibility at work to cover for absences among more senior colleagues.

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Reasonable progress

Staff liaise closely with employers to keep them informed of apprentices’ progress and make effective connections between all parts of the programme. Employers are involved in selecting the optional units that apprentices complete, ensuring that programmes link well to workplace learning opportunities.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors use a wide range of assessment methods that allow apprentices to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. For example, tutors use observations, recorded discussions and witness testimonies, as well as written assignments. Most tutors ask probing and challenging questions that require apprentices to demonstrate their understanding clearly and fully.

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Reasonable progress

All apprentices receive sufficient time during working hours to complete off-the-job studies. They log the hours spent and tutors check that they have recorded the time accurately during monthly visits. Tutors monitor off-the-job learning hours to check that apprentices receive their entitlement in a timely manner.

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Reasonable progress

A small number of apprentices are making slower than expected progress. Where apprentices fall behind, tutors increase the frequency of their workplace visits. However, they do not set apprentices sufficiently challenging deadlines. As a result, too few apprentices catch up quickly enough while receiving intensive support. Monitoring visit: Zenith People Limited, 20–21 November 2019 Tutors focus primarily on apprentices completing tasks and meeting assessment criteria. Apprentices are motivated by targets to complete their qualifications, which they do while developing vocational and personal skills.

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Reasonable progress

Managers implement a range of policies to safeguard apprentices. They conduct thorough background checks on new staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with apprentices. They have completed a risk assessment and action plan to reduce the risk of radicalisation and extremism.

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Reasonable progress

All staff have completed training in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty and, as a result, know how to refer safeguarding concerns. The designated safeguarding lead has completed specialist training for the role and responds appropriately to concerns raised.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have good links with external agencies, including the local council’s safeguarding adults board. They share the latest information and training opportunities with staff to develop their knowledge and keep them up to date.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe and know how to raise safeguarding concerns. However, their understanding of the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism in the region, such as those posed by far-right groups, is insufficient. Monitoring visit: Zenith People Limited, 20–21 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 children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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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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