Dynamo Healthcare Training Ltd

Dynamo Healthcare Training Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Russell Shobrook, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit D, Pattern Shop Hayle TR27 4EZ Monitoring visit: Dynamo Healthcare Training 26–27 May 2021

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Context and focus of visit

From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and/or the apprenticeship levy. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Dynamo Healthcare Training Ltd (DHCT) is an independent training provider based in Cornwall. It offers level 2 to level 5 apprenticeships in health and social care, and business. At the time of the monitoring visit, 74 apprentices were studying on standards-based apprenticeships. DHCT trains apprentices in health care settings exclusively within Cornwall.

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Context and focus of visit

The national pandemic has had a significant impact on the provider due to the unprecedented demand on the health and social care sector. The impact of COVID- 19 (coronavirus) has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgements below.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work closely with local employers and agencies to develop programmes that meet the requirements of the apprenticeship and reflect local needs well. Leaders have developed apprenticeships in the subject areas where they have the appropriate skills and expertise.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that staff assess apprentices’ prior knowledge, experience and skills carefully to ensure that they study the appropriate apprenticeship. For example, apprentices with some previous clinical experience study the level 3 senior health care support worker apprenticeship rather than the level 2 in adult care.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed an ambitious curriculum for apprentices. Leaders have designed a curriculum which helps apprentices to make progress at work, further their studies and prepare them well for their next steps. For example, apprentices studying at levels 2 and 3 undertake additional training in leadership and management. Monitoring visit: Dynamo Healthcare Training 26–27 May 2021 Leaders recruit apprentices in a conscientious manner. They work closely with local partners and agencies to provide training for apprentices who are taking their first steps into care work. Leaders offer potential apprentices additional training before they embark on an apprenticeship to ensure that they are well prepared and understand the demands of apprenticeship and the health and social care sector.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and those responsible for governance have a good understanding of DHCT’s strengths and areas for development. Leaders update comprehensive quality improvement plans frequently and use them to continually improve the quality of the provision.

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Reasonable progress

Although tutors regularly check the progress that apprentices make towards developing their knowledge, skills and behaviours for work, they do not frequently update apprentice progress monitoring records. As a result, leaders do not have an accurate understanding of the progress apprentices make and therefore do not always undertake timely interventions.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and tutors sequence the curriculum to allow apprentices to build their knowledge and skills over time. For example, adult care worker apprentices learn how to work safely within a care home setting, before moving on to providing one-to-one support in the community.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills at work. They take on additional responsibilities and make a valuable contribution to their employers’ business. For example, a night duty adult care worker has learned how to ensure that all work rotas are covered for the next day by allocating tasks to those on duty. A few apprentices have successfully gained a promotion during their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop their English skills further by increasing their use of professional vocabulary, and when writing reports. Apprentices who need to gain a mathematics qualification are well supported by a qualified functional skills tutor to increase their knowledge, and most pass their functional skills qualification the first time.

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Reasonable progress

Due to the lack of opportunities for assessors to complete observations of apprentices at work during the pandemic, tutors use a range of evidence to assess their knowledge and skills. For example, tutors have extended the use of professional discussions and employer witness testimonies to measure apprentices’ workplace competencies. However, most apprentices are not making the progress expected, largely due to the impact of COVID-19. Leaders have implemented new strategies to help them to catch up. These are already having a positive impact. Monitoring visit: Dynamo Healthcare Training 26–27 May 2021 Staff do not assess apprentices’ digital skills at the beginning of the apprenticeship, or check if they have access to suitable technologies to access learning materials and taught sessions. As a result, a minority of apprentices are not able to easily access online resources and information, which impacts on the progress they make.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders rightly recognise that tutors do not always have the necessary expertise to support a small number of apprentices with additional needs, such as dyslexia.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have implemented effective safeguarding processes. The designated safeguarding lead is suitably qualified and experienced. Leaders use the information on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty they receive at employer and local authority forums to inform apprentice training plans.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders carefully follow their safeguarding reporting processes and ensure that lessons learned are used effectively to improve practice. For example, leaders ensure that all apprentices receive additional training on how to stay safe online and understand and use the privacy settings on social media.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed an effective culture of safeguarding. They ensure that staff are recruited and checked carefully prior to working with apprentices. All apprentices receive training on how to identify client safeguarding issues, and how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Trainers check apprentices’ knowledge of safeguarding at each review. As a result, apprentices develop a good understanding of safeguarding. Monitoring visit: Dynamo Healthcare Training 26–27 May 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

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Reasonable progress

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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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