Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Lynda Brown, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Visit date(s): 28 to 29 October 2020 Type of provider: Employer

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Address: 350 Euston Road Regent’s Place London NW1 3AX Interim visit: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, 28 to 29 October 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 students and apprentices in this period, including learners 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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Information about the provider

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) provides healthcare services for people with a range of physical and healthcare needs. They provide services at around 150 sites across north and central London and surrounding areas. Since September 2017, the organisation has been delivering levy-funded apprenticeships to its own employees. At the time of the interim visit, 16 apprentices are on a level 3 team leading apprenticeship and 12 apprentices are on a level 3 business administration apprenticeship.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

At the start of the pandemic, leaders swiftly stopped face-to-face teaching. Following a short break in learning, they moved to an online training model. They continue to deliver all training online in preparation for a second wave of COVID-19. Leaders provided support to apprentices so that they could learn online. For example, they introduced a scheme to loan laptops to apprentices who required them.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders prioritised the well-being of apprentices during the pandemic. All apprentices received risk assessments to assess their individual needs and were provided with support to continue with their programmes.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders are aware of the increased workload pressures that many apprentices, particularly those who work directly with patients, experience during the pandemic. Many apprentices’ job roles changed due to the pandemic and apprentices were given the opportunity to postpone their apprenticeship. All apprentices elected to continue with their studies. Interim visit: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, 28 to 29 October 2020 Leaders provide additional time for apprentices to complete their qualifications. They have sought, in collaboration with awarding bodies, alternative methods of assessment. For example, they use discussions with apprentices about their practice, where they are unable to assess their competencies through observations on hospital wards.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders provided training for staff to manage remote working. For example, staff were taught how to use online conferencing facilities to communicate with each other and to provide training for apprentices. Leaders work closely with external groups such as Health Education England, to provide a broad range of resources about COVID-19 to employees, including apprentices. Leaders keep apprentices up to date with frequent emails, well-being seminars and a COVID-19 section on the intranet.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Trainers and assessors acknowledge that the pandemic has given them time to reflect on their programmes and consider the sequence in which they teach topics. They focus on more topics at the beginning of the apprenticeship that build apprentices’ basic knowledge and skills. For example, in team leading, trainers teach apprentices about the operational elements of leadership before moving on to the strategic aspects.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Trainers feel confident using the online tools to teach their lessons. Leaders provided support at the start of the pandemic, when there was a pause in learning, to help trainers to use the online platform and plan their teaching. Trainers have now developed more interactive resources for apprentices. Apprentices speak positively about the materials available to them and the support they receive. Trainers provide apprentices with additional resources if they find topics challenging. Apprentices can study additional topics, such as minute taking and influencing skills.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Leaders use standardisation meetings to check the quality of teaching and monitor apprentices’ progress. Trainers recognised that they had to adapt their teaching style to online teaching. They report that some activities, such as group work and discussions, are challenging to do online. As a result, they have put in place more quizzes, and one-to-one discussions, to assess apprentices’ gaps in knowledge. If apprentices fall behind, trainers arrange additional sessions or provide recorded lessons so that they can catch up.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Apprentices are very positive about their learning experience. Many report that they prefer learning online because they do not have to travel, and it is easier for them to attend.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Managers identify that the apprenticeships form part of a career pathway for employees. They provide apprentices with information about careers, available in the Interim visit: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, 28 to 29 October 2020 trust and the wider health service, as a part of their course. Around a third of apprentices have been promoted.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

The safety of apprentices has remined a priority for leaders during the pandemic. Many apprentices work in roles where they have contact with patients and, as a consequence, keeping safe during the pandemic has been of utmost importance.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders have provided apprentices with safeguarding training and regular updates during the pandemic. Apprentices are aware of the safety guidance associated with their working practices.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Staff recognise the impact of the pandemic on apprentices’ well-being. Trainers have increased contact with apprentices so that well-being concerns are dealt with swiftly. Apprentices feel safe within their working environment and appreciate the support that they receive from their trainers.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

With the increased requirement to work and study online, apprentices benefit from training on how to keep themselves safe while working remotely. They are aware of the importance of keeping passwords safe and working securely. Apprentices know how to report any concerns that they might have. Interim visit: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, 28 to 29 October 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

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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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