Alpha Care Agency Limited

Alpha Care Agency Limited Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Saher Nijabat HMI

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Address:

Tottenham Town Hall Town Hall Approach Tottenham N15 4RY Interim visit: Alpha Care Agency Limited, 28-29 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 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

Alpha Care Agency Limited (ACA Ltd), trading as Alpha Gateway College, is an independent learning provider based in Haringey. ACA Ltd offers courses for 409 adult learners in East, North and South London, all of whom are already in employment. Around 350 learners are apprentices and study level 2 to level 5 programmes in health and social care, childcare, leadership and management and business studies. Another 58 learners are in receipt of advanced learner loans and study level 3 diploma courses in childcare and adult care.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders and managers describe that they made a smooth transition to online learning when national restrictions were introduced. They checked that all staff and learners had access to the necessary technologies to complete work online. Assessors received tablets and work phones so they could work from home. They also received training on using online technology to teach.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders have changed the way assessors teach the curriculum to adapt to changed circumstances. Assessors make greater use of recorded professional discussions and witness testimonies where they are unable to carry out workplace observations. Leaders have also started to offer a course in information technology in response to employers identifying skills gaps in this area. Employers and learners report that the current curriculum offer meets their needs. Interim visit: Alpha Care Agency Limited, 28-29 October 2020 Learners and employers in the care sector have experienced increased demands at work due to the pandemic. Some learners found it difficult at the start of the pandemic to engage with online learning. However, over time their participation in online learning has improved. Leaders and staff contact learners via phone and use video conferencing to discuss issues affecting their well-being. Although they

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

retained all learners in training, leaders report that their learner enrolments have halved compared to this time last year.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders report that many learners could not complete their training due to national restrictions. They did not hold examinations in mathematics and English as their learners did not have sufficient time to prepare. Leaders have now partially opened centres so that learners can take examinations and final assessments on site. Leaders continue to explore ways that learners can take these online. Assessors prepare learners through one-to-one tutorials and professional discussions online. They plan to develop tutorial videos and an online resource bank to support learners’ progress.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Leaders and managers have taken steps to ensure learners continue to make progress. For example, learners submit their work online. They use information from the video links shared by their assessors to develop their knowledge. Leaders recognise that moving online has reduced travel, which allows assessors more time to directly support learners. Learners say that during online lessons assessors check their knowledge and understanding regularly to ensure that they have grasped key concepts. As a result, learners report that they are getting the support and help they need to stay on track.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Assessors describe their leaders as supportive. Managers frequently observe online teaching sessions, check the resources assessors use and look at learners’ work. They provide feedback to assessors on their practice and technical skills. For example, managers feed back on different ways to draw information from learners. Managers report that assessors are becoming more creative in their teaching by using videos and visual aids to communicate ideas. Consequently, this has led to better learner engagement in lessons.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Assessors identify that the training they have received has helped them to support apprentices better in making progress. For example, they have developed a more in- depth understanding of the requirements of final assessments. As a result, they say they have put in place improved strategies to support apprentices to prepare for these, such as more frequent professional discussions and tests of apprentices’ knowledge.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Staff provide careers advice and guidance to learners which is focused on their next job or the right university course for them. For example, learners receive advice on Interim visit: Alpha Care Agency Limited, 28-29 October 2020 which courses to do if they want to go from being a carer to becoming a team leader. Leaders report that every year more learners are promoted at work, go on to a higher-level course or go to university.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders and staff report that due to more contact with learners during the pandemic, they have developed a better understanding of learners’ personal circumstances. They recognise the high risks that their learners face at work, such as infection transmission, loss of clients and redundancy.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Staff provide information, advice and guidance to learners based on their individual circumstances. For example, they have referred learners to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau to get help with financial problems.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders keep everyone informed of the safety measures in place for learning online and at their centres. Those who attend in person receive safety kits, including disinfectant spray and their own stationary. Leaders have trained staff on the safe use of online tools for teaching. Assessors share information about the risks of working online with their learners regularly. They discuss the dangers of visiting inappropriate websites. Learners report that they feel safe and looked after. Interim visit: Alpha Care Agency Limited, 28-29 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

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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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