Acacia Training and Development Ltd

Acacia Training and Development Limited Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Tracey Zimmerman, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: The Training Centre 10 Sawrey Street Milbay Plymouth PL1 3LA Interim visit: Acacia Training and Development Limited, 8 to 9 December 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 and apprentices 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

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

Acacia Training and Development Limited (Acacia) became part of BCE Group Ltd in October 2020. BCE Group Ltd recently installed a new management team. Acacia has 492 learners across the south-west, mostly located in Devon and Somerset. The large majority of apprentices work in health and social care, or childcare. At the time of the visit, there were 53 apprentices between 16 and 18 years of age and 150 apprentices over 19 years of age. Acacia subcontracts a small proportion of its apprenticeship provision in refrigeration and childcare courses. Most apprentices study level 2 or level 3 courses, with a smaller number studying at level 4 and 5.

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Information about the provider

Acacia mostly provides short courses for 288 adults in Plymouth, in subjects such as business, and health and social care. Acacia also offers courses to help people who are unemployed to gain skills and find work.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

At the start of the pandemic, staff used a range of methods to keep in contact with learners and apprentices. This included tutorials by telephone and posting work to learners. The majority of learners studying on employability courses and 30 apprentices had their training paused during the first lockdown.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

The main priority for managers reopening after the first lockdown was to help their vulnerable learners, such as those on employability courses, to return to learning. Managers also prioritised the return of apprentices who needed their assessors to undertake observations of their performance and prepare them for their final assessments.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

The new management team took over just before the second lockdown. Their main priority was supporting learners’ and staff welfare. They also introduced digital teaching, Interim visit: Acacia Training and Development Limited, 8 to 9 December 2020 learning and assessment systems and platforms, to provide a more consistent approach to remote learning.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

The new leaders are keen to focus on delivering learning in sectors in which they have expertise, such as health and social care and early years education. They are restructuring their programmes to teach small groups of learners online, with just a few learners attending in person.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders report that recruitment for employability courses and apprenticeships declined during the spring term. It is now improving for health and childcare apprenticeships. Staff regularly contact learners waiting to start courses to discuss their options.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders are aware of the need to communicate more regularly with employers about the progress their apprentices are making. They state that they need to monitor subcontractors more closely.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Staff tell us that new leaders have swiftly implemented changes to the organisation; they feel positive about these changes and the level of support which leaders provide.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Teachers taught very few courses online during the first lockdown. This was due to Acacia not having the technological infrastructure and teachers not having the skills to teach remotely. New leaders have now arranged training for staff in using online platforms to teach and assess learning.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Many learners are behind in their studies. Some childcare learners were furloughed at the start of the pandemic and employability learners did not feel confident using public transport to get to training centres. Staff are working with these learners to help them catch up with learning and stay motivated to complete their qualifications.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Managers recognise that some learners may need face-to-face training in digital skills before they can access learning online. Leaders are working with employers and local charities to make sure that learners have access to information technology to learn remotely.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Managers are working with staff to understand what progress learners are making. They told us that the new progress monitoring systems, when fully populated, will give them an accurate picture of the progress made by all learners . Currently, managers discuss learners’ progress at monthly caseload review meetings, putting together action plans to help learners achieve their qualifications, if necessary. Learners’ attendance declined during the first lockdown but is now improving. Learners who miss face-to-face sessions are offered additional online sessions to help them catch up with their work. Managers recognise that too many learners are not completing their courses within the expected timeframes. Interim visit: Acacia Training and Development Limited, 8 to 9 December 2020 All the learners we spoke to enjoy their courses with Acacia. Apprentices said they learn skills in the order they need for work. Staff tell us that in health and social care

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the reasonable needs of learners?

apprentices are much more confident and resilient due to their work during the pandemic. Assessors and tutors provide careers advice informally in sessions, but leaders are developing a more formal system.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Managers assessed all learners attending classes in Plymouth and put plans in place to mitigate their risks from COVID-19 (coronavirus). Through lockdown, tutors regularly contacted vulnerable learners to check on their welfare and support them back into learning.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Staff report they do not teach online safety in sufficient detail. Managers have planned online safety training for staff, so they can better support learners to understand potential risks online. Leaders are currently reviewing the curriculum to ensure it includes all aspects of safeguarding, including online safety.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders also plan to train staff to better understand their roles and responsibilities relating to safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. Leaders have put in place a monthly safeguarding meeting to help staff access local safeguarding information and standardise their approach to dealing with incidents. Learners have a clear understanding of who to contact if they have any concerns. Interim visit: Acacia Training and Development Limited, 8 to 9 December 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

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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?

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 .

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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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