The College of West Anglia

College of West Anglia Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Jules Steele, Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: General further education college

p.1

Address: Tennyson Avenue King’s Lynn Norfolk PE30 2QW Monitoring visit: College of West Anglia, 23 November 2020

p.1

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 monitoring visits to providers in certain circumstances. This monitoring visit focused on the safeguarding arrangements at subcontractor partners. It follows a serious safeguarding concern that was raised with Ofsted about a college subcontractor.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

This visit was undertaken as outlined in the interim phase operational note for further education and skills and with reference to the further education and skills handbook.

p.2

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

Senior leaders have established a strong culture to ensure that learners are safe. Staff at every level understand their role in safeguarding learners. Learners are clear about how to report any concerns they may have. Senior leaders take appropriate steps at the strategic level to ensure that learners at subcontracted partners are safe. However, they do not challenge sufficiently the actions that partners take on safeguarding referrals.

p.2

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

Managers’ ongoing scrutiny of partners is frequent and comprehensive. Managers hold partners accountable for a range of contract and quality-related issues. The safeguarding of learners is a standing item for discussion. Partner staff feel able to disclose the challenges their learners’ experience. However, college staff are not curious enough when discussing safeguarding referrals with partners. They are too ready to accept that the actions partners have taken are the correct ones. Managers are careful to check that partners’ staff are suitably trained. Staff frequently scrutinise the updating of partners’ staff safeguarding records. They deal swiftly with any omissions. Managers and staff at the college share their safeguarding resources and expertise with partners. Each year, managers choose a specific theme to focus on for staff and learners, for example the dangers posed by county lines gang activity.

p.2

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

Partner and college staff are jointly trained to identify and respond to incidents appropriately.

p.2

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

Senior leaders’ reporting of safeguarding to governors does not include subcontractor partners. Managers use safeguarding software to accurately record and analyse safeguarding referrals at college. They share this information with governors. However, they do not use this approach for partners’ referrals. Managers do not ensure that partners’ learners receive a sufficiently broad and rich tutorial programme, and they do not scrutinise or report on the quality or content of this provision. Managers do not Monitoring visit: College of West Anglia, 23 November 2020 check that partners teach important safeguarding topics. Consequently, the range and depth of learners’ understanding varies from good to limited. Monitoring visit: College of West Anglia, 23 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

p.2

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

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.

p.4

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

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 .

p.4

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

and well-being of their subcontracted learners?

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

p.4