Hertford Regional College

Hertford Regional College Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Linnia Khemdoudi, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: General further education college

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Address:

Scotts Road Ware Hertfordshire SG12 9JF Monitoring visit: Hertford Regional College, 15 April 2021

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

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Context and focus of visit

This visit was undertaken as outlined in the operational note on visits carried out from January 2021 and with reference to the further education and skills handbook.

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Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgement below.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders safeguarding arrangements for learners studying with subcontracted partners are effective. Leaders monitor subcontracted partners’ arrangements for 16- 19-year-old learners closely. However, they do not monitor the arrangements for adult learners in the same detail.

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Reasonable progress

The college designated safeguarding lead (DSL) supports the subcontractor DSLs appropriately. Subcontractor and college staff agree what actions to take to resolve individual issues effectively. College staff frequently discuss relevant safeguarding topics with subcontracted staff. However, leaders do not routinely or thoroughly check subcontracted learners’ understanding of the themes raised.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that assessors provide useful personal advice to learners. This helps learners manage the impact of recent government restrictions. For example, juggling their workload, home-schooling their children, and their own vocational studies. Assessors check that learners have access to relevant personal, protective equipment where required. As a result, learners feel safe at work.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure that learners aged 16-19 years have a good understanding of safeguarding. They offer additional support to help learners manage challenges to their learning effectively. For example, agreeing individualised working arrangements to respect learners’ fasting during Ramadan.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure that learners understand how to maintain the safety and well-being of their service users effectively. Learners studying on care related courses are clear Monitoring visit: Hertford Regional College, 15 April 2021 about their responsibilities. They know how and who to report concerns to. For example, if they identify changes in the behaviour of a vulnerable person in their care.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders’ reporting to governors on the safeguarding arrangements of their subcontracted provision is limited. Leaders’ reporting concentrates overly on financial and contract compliance. Leaders do not identify which reported safeguarding concerns relate to their subcontracted provision. As a result, governors do not know what actions senior leaders need to take to improve potential areas of concern.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not analyse subcontractors’ safeguarding referrals effectively. Leaders do review a range of useful information, such as the type and quantity of referrals. However, they do not analyse the information by individual subcontractor or subject sector area. As a result, they cannot identify what specific actions they need to take to ensure that learners remain safe. Monitoring visit: Hertford Regional College, 15 April 2021 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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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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 .

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Reasonable progress

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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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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