SSG Services (Est 2003) Limited

SSG Services (Est. 2003) Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Gerard McGrath, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Address:

Alexander Sport Centre Sidney Road Bedford MK40 2BQ Monitoring visit: SSG Services (Est. 2003) Ltd, 4 February 2020

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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 themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

SSG Training is an independent learning provider based in Bedford. It is part of a larger limited company, SSG Services (Est. 2003) Ltd. The provider delivers study programmes, traineeships and adult learning programmes through subcontracting arrangements with other organisations. SSG Training joined the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers in 2017. At the time of this monitoring visit, it had three apprentices in learning working towards standards-based apprenticeships in customer service at level 2. SSG Training has centres across Bedfordshire, Bedford and Hertfordshire.

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Context and focus of visit

SSG Training received a monitoring visit in July 2019, when it was judged to have made insufficient progress against two of the three identified themes. Safeguarding was judged to be effective. The focus of this visit was to examine the progress the provider has made against the three themes below.

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Reasonable progress

Senior managers and trainers have worked well to plan training so that apprentices develop their skills, knowledge and behaviour steadily over time. As a result, apprentices describe the range of new work-related skills and knowledge they have acquired, such as improving the professional business language they use when communicating with clients.

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Reasonable progress

Directors and managers ensure that trainers meet with employers regularly. They review the progress made by apprentices and plan appropriate workplace activities. As a result, apprentices become more effective and skilled in their work. For example, apprentices improve their time management and meet challenging work deadlines.

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Reasonable progress

Directors and managers have successfully improved their management of apprentices’ off-the-job training. Managers ensure that all apprentices complete the requisite amount of off-the-job training. This ensures that apprentices have enough time to practise and refine their skills. Monitoring visit: SSG Services (Est. 2003) Ltd, 4 February 2020 Directors have ensured that staff are trained to provide adequate apprenticeship training. Apprentices and their employers now clearly understand the timing and arrangements for end-point assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Managers carry out regular observations of coaching and support sessions. The feedback they provide to staff includes judgements about learning and identifies accurately areas for staff to improve. Managers use the outcomes from observations to plan appropriate staff training and development.

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Reasonable progress

Directors have implemented a new management information system. They use the information to manage the performance of their staff effectively.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop high levels of confidence. This enables them to communicate effectively with a wide range of customers and groups, whether talking to children at work, or in professional meetings with colleagues and external stakeholders.

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Reasonable progress

Employers value the contribution apprentices make. Workplace supervision is helpful and effective. As a result, apprentices develop a good understanding of high-quality customer service.

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Reasonable progress

Staff assess apprentices’ starting points well. Trainers use this information effectively to ensure that apprentices are on the right programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use their good qualifications and vocational experience usefully. They adapt training to meet individual apprentices’ needs. Trainers ensure that apprentices are effectively prepared for their final assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Training targets set by trainers for completing the main qualification are effective. However, trainers need to place greater emphasis on apprentices developing their work-related skills.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have recently received impartial careers advice. They understand what their next steps in learning and employment could be.

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Reasonable progress

Directors ensure that detailed and effective safeguarding processes are in place. They are well informed of all safeguarding issues. Monitoring visit: SSG Services (Est. 2003) Ltd, 4 February 2020 Apprentices feel safe and know how to report safeguarding incidents and concerns if they need to. They attend their individual employers’ regular training to ensure that their knowledge is current and up to date. Monitoring visit: SSG Services (Est. 2003) Ltd, 4 February 2020 the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s 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

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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

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 the Information Policy Team,

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Reasonable progress

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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