Aspect Training Ltd

Aspect Training Ltd Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Malcolm Fraser, HMI

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit V4 Staniforth Estates Main Street Sheffield S12 4LB Interim visit: Aspect Training Ltd, 17–18 November 2020

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Context and focus of visit

On 17 March 2020, all routine inspections were suspended due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As part of our phased return to routine inspections, we are carrying out ‘ interim visits ’ to further education and skills providers. Interim visits are to help learners, parents, employers and government understand how providers are meeting the needs of learners in this period, including those with high needs and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Context and focus of visit

We intend to return to routine inspection in January 2021 but will keep the exact timing under review.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below and the findings are based on discussions with leaders, managers, staff and learners.

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Context and focus of visit

Following changes to government guidance and the imposition of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, we made this visit remotely to reduce pressure on the provider.

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Information about the provider

Aspect Training Ltd is a small independent learning provider based in Sheffield. It provides adult learning programmes funded through advanced learner loans for adults working in the adult care sector. Three members of staff cover all of the leadership, management and teaching roles. At the time of the visit, 36 learners were on the level 3 diploma in health and social care, 17 on the level 4 diploma in adult care, and 11 on the level 5 diploma in leadership and management for adult care. Aspect Training Ltd does not use any subcontractors.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders consider that they responded appropriately to the significant challenges faced by the adult care sector because of COVID-19, quickly adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of learners, stakeholders and employers. Many care homes needed to recruit and train new staff and provide COVID-19-specific additional training for existing staff. Leaders provided staff with the guidance, support and the equipment that they needed to adapt their methods of delivery to allow for this. Leaders supported tutors to provide a small element of face-to-face training, under strict controls, while moving most of their delivery to remote and online methods.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders explained how they continually evaluate feedback from employers and learners and use this to ensure that the curriculum meets their needs. They recognise that the move to more remote and flexible learning for learners who are Interim visit: Aspect Training Ltd, 17–18 November 2020 juggling work and family responsibilities has enabled a few to make improved progress. Leaders plan to continue with this flexible approach to learning post- pandemic.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders consider that, since March 2020, they have built on existing relationships with partners, and that this has contributed to the further development of the curriculum that they provide. Leaders advise a wide range of organisations and employers, such as local authorities, schools, and NHS trusts, about COVID-19- specific hygiene and safety procedures as well as providing health and safety training for staff in these organisations.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders identify a few ongoing challenges to the delivery of a suitable curriculum. Learners often have to self-isolate due to actual or potential exposure to COVID-19. Their ability to engage in learning can be affected by long working hours, family commitments, and fears for their own welfare and that of their families and clients. Nevertheless, leaders and employers consider that, because of the changes they have made and the support that they provide, most learners are showing resilience and a commitment to continue to study.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Leaders put in place a teaching contingency plan prior to the introduction of the national COVID-19 restrictions. Tutors worked with learners to overcome barriers, such as learning remotely. They have provided additional pastoral support to ensure that learners stay on their programmes and continue to learn through the pandemic. Learners report that the continuation of their learning and the socially distanced interactions with their tutor have enabled them to continue to develop their knowledge of the care sector and their professional skills.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Tutors modified their teaching methods and adapted the content of their courses to maintain learners’ interest and engagement. They introduced new content to their curriculum related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included training in infection control measures for learners working in care homes.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Tutors have revised their approach to assessing the skills and knowledge that learners gain by using remote activities such as video conferencing, professional discussions and witness testimonies. Employers now participate more in the assessment of learners’ skill development. Employers and tutors ensure that the adapted arrangements, including video recording of assessment, are sensitive to the need for care home residents to be treated with respect and dignity.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Staff work with learners to identify any gaps in the development of learners’ knowledge and skills resulting from the COVID-19 restrictions. Tutors provide opportunities for learners to catch up with their learning by adopting a flexible approach to their visits to learners. They are available in the evenings and at Interim visit: Aspect Training Ltd, 17–18 November 2020 weekends to provide the support that learners need. They help learners who fall behind to catch up.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Learners continue to receive careers advice and guidance about their potential career options and progression routes. Leaders explained how they have revised their enrolment process so that it has a greater focus on the career aspirations of learners.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders have identified a range of additional safeguarding risks arising from COVID- 19 that they take account of when providing information for learners and employers and when interacting with them. Staff are sensitive to the impact of the pandemic on learners’ mental health and well-being, often amplified by the circumstances of working in adult care.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Throughout the pandemic, leaders have continued to receive care sector briefings and to work closely with local authority safeguarding teams to ensure that they are up to date about safeguarding issues. They are aware that they cannot provide professional advice about all of the additional safeguarding risks, so they use their knowledge about specialist support services to guide learners who need it to seek help.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Learners with whom we spoke said that they receive guidance and support about how to stay safe when learning online and using the internet and social media. Interim visit: Aspect Training Ltd, 17–18 November 2020 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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potential risks, including from online sources?

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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

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