Bock Consultancy & Personnel Development

BOCK Consultancy & Personnel Development Limited

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit 42, Eurolink Business Centre 49 Effra Road London SW2 1BZ Interim visit: BOCK Consultancy & Personnel Development Limited, 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

BOCK Consultancy & Personnel Development Limited provides learning programmes at sites across London. Ten staff including three directors and seven tutors/assessors make up the team. At the time of the visit, there were 90 adult learners studying level 3 courses. Most learners are studying gas engineering and nursing courses, with a few learners taking health and social care courses. Adult learners use the advanced learning loan to fund their programme. Programmes are aimed at learners who are disadvantaged.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders and managers describe some disruption to learners’ courses in March 2020. Staff and learners were unfamiliar with teaching and learning online. For example, learners initially struggled to log on to the online learning platform and, as a result, their engagement in learning declined. Training for staff and learners on the new online learning platform has helped improve the attendance and participation of learners in their lessons.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders and managers support tutors to adapt their teaching. In March this year, tutors lacked confidence in teaching their lessons online. Leaders put in place basic training for tutors on how to use the online platform such as how to admit learners to classes and use the hand raising function. Over time, managers have supported Interim visit: BOCK Consultancy & Personnel Development Limited, 17-18 November 2020 tutors to build their expertise and confidence to teach online. For example, tutors are now beginning to use breakout rooms for small groupwork tasks.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders and managers have made changes to the way the curriculum is taught because of the pandemic. For example, learners studying gas engineering receive half of the training online and half in class. Practical skills are taught and assessed in class. Those on health and social care courses are now all taught online. Managers have introduced training for learners on how to conduct themselves whilst online. For example, tutors teach learners online etiquette such as being on time for classes and meetings and dressing appropriately.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders and managers ensure that learners have the support they need to overcome any barriers they have that will prevent them completing their studies. Those learners that do not have access to up-to-date computers or laptops receive the equipment they need so that they can learn remotely. Leaders and managers have also paid for childcare places where learners’ caring responsibilities stop them attending online classes.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

During the pandemic, tutors have established a range of strategies that they use online to check that learners retain what they have learnt. For example, health and social care learners complete a mock exam online under exam conditions. In access to nursing, tutors set research tasks for the learners to feed back to the rest of the group about specific topics. This helps tutors identify gaps in learning and inform the content of future classes. Tutors hold question and answer sessions at the end of online lessons to check learners’ understanding. Tutors find this useful as learners who lack confidence to answer questions verbally can type their answers.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

In discussion with awarding bodies, managers have adapted how tutors assess learners in light of the pandemic. For example, some art and design learners have their ceramic work photographed and uploaded to the awarding body portal, while others submit a portfolio of their work. Gas engineering learners who would usually be observed installing a boiler in a customer’s home are assessed using witness testimony via video from qualified gas engineers.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Most learners find online learning a positive experience. They enjoy using the online resources to read about topics and complete assignments. Learners find the quick responses to their queries via apps and email useful. Learners report that learning online saves them time and travel costs and helps some who are parents manage their childcare responsibilities. They told inspectors that tutors have increased their confidence in using online software to engage them with learning.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Learners receive advice and guidance on their next steps from tutors and staff. Those nearing the end of their course receive information about relevant job Interim visit: BOCK Consultancy & Personnel Development Limited, 17-18 November 2020 vacancies and guidance on self-employment. Those on access to nursing courses receive support to write their application to university early on in their course.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders have taken steps to ensure that those learners attending classes can do so safely. They have reduced the size of classes to ensure that learners practise social distancing. Masks and visors are available for learners at centres. Temperature checks take place for everyone attending. Learners know who to contact if they have any concerns about their safety or well-being.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Tutors have received additional training to strengthen their ability to keep learners safe. This included how to spot signs that might indicate a learner was experiencing abuse. In response to reported rises in poor mental health and domestic violence in the country, managers provide additional information to learners on what to do should they experience domestic violence or need support for their mental health.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders and managers identify that a dip in learners’ attendance or engagement in classes can indicate a problem with their training or in their personal lives. As a result, managers are vigilant when a learner’s attendance declines and follow up any concerns with individual learners. Interim visit: BOCK Consultancy & Personnel Development Limited, 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

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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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