Peterborough Skills Limited

Peterborough Skills Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Penny Fawcus, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 2 Woodston Business Centre Shrewsbury Avenue Peterborough PE2 7EF Monitoring visit: Peterborough Skills Ltd, 15 June 2021

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Context and focus of visit

This monitoring visit focused on safeguarding arrangements and 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

Peterborough Skills Ltd is an independent learning provider working mainly with motor vehicle repair workshops and their administrative teams. Leaders gained direct funding to provide apprenticeships in January 2019. Most apprentices are on standards-based apprenticeships at level 3 in vehicle damage paint technician, mechanical, electrical and trim technician, business administration, and customer services. There are five apprentices on level 2 framework apprenticeships in customer services, vehicle damage paint technician and vehicle damage panel technician. At the time of the visit, 34 apprentices were on programme, 14 of whom were under the age of 19.

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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 judgements below.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have acted quickly to conduct a full review of their safeguarding arrangements. They have produced an effective action plan for improvement. Many of these actions have already been successfully implemented. For example, the appointment and training of a new designated safeguarding lead and two deputy leads. Safeguarding is now at the forefront of their work and part of the daily conversations with staff and apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that safeguarding information is now visible, both online and in learning environments. As a result, staff and apprentices know who to contact for support should they have any concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have worked with partners effectively to develop their external safeguarding network and internal practices. For example, the safeguarding team have taken part in work shadowing of designated leads in a large college to develop their knowledge, skills, and experience. The team readily seek the specialist advice of external partners to inform their decisions.

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Reasonable progress

Training staff have a good understanding of the new procedures for referring concerns to designated leads. They have received updated safeguarding and Monitoring visit: Peterborough Skills Ltd, 15 June 2021 ‘Prevent’ duty training recently. They are fully aware of their responsibilities in relation to keeping apprentices safe. They are confident in how to find help and support for a variety of issues relating to safeguarding, mental health, and well- being.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a secure understanding of safe working practices and the risks associated with their work. Training staff discuss apprentices’ well-being and safety at one-to-one reviews. They can discuss with confidence topical issues and the risks which apprentices may face in the workplace. For example, those working in motor vehicle understand the risks from extremist groups in relation to the use of fossil fuels.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices do not have a secure understanding of local threats and how safeguarding applies to them in their personal lives. In addition, they have not received effective training in how to stay safe online. Monitoring visit: Peterborough Skills Ltd, 15 June 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 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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