North West Training Council

North West Training Council Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Alastair Mollon, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 33 Dunes Way Wellington Employment Park Sandhills Liverpool Merseyside L5 9RJ Monitoring visit: North West Training Council, 7–8 July 2021

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Context and focus of visit

This monitoring visit focused on safeguarding arrangements and was undertaken as outlined in 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

Leaders, managers and governors now have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place. As a result of the changes made and actions taken, the governing body has a much-improved oversight of safeguarding at North West Training Council. Leaders and managers have taken steps to ensure that the safeguarding, health and safety and welfare of apprentices is a priority. The newly appointed designated safeguarding lead (DSL), deputy DSL and safeguarding team have the appropriate training, skills and experience to carry out their roles effectively. Leaders and managers have recently updated a range of policies and procedures that provide clarity regarding safeguarding, health and safety and well-being for staff and apprentices. The DSL has started to establish a wider network of useful contacts, such as the North West regional prevent coordinator and local police force, to improve their knowledge of emerging issues and localised threats, including county lines and knife

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Reasonable progress

crime. Leaders and managers follow safer recruitment practices when employing staff. They carry out appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure the suitability of staff to work in education and training with apprentices. Leaders and staff know how to keep apprentices safe and follow clear company procedures to report any concerns they may have. The safeguarding team works with external agencies across the region to provide a referral service for apprentices on topics such as finance and debt management, mental health, domestic abuse, far- right extremism and drug and substance misuse. All staff have benefited from recent online training on topics such as safeguarding, the ‘Prevent’ duty and supporting student mental health and well-being. Tutors now have a heightened awareness of the signs to look for to identify potential issues. They speak to apprentices regularly to check on their health and well-being.

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Reasonable progress

However, tutors do not embed safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty routinely in their training sessions. Monitoring visit: North West Training Council, 7–8 July 2021 Apprentices feel safe and know who to contact if they have any concerns. They receive weekly emails to support their health and well-being. These provide apprentices with support and advice on topics such as healthy eating, financial advice, coping with anxiety and the risks of alcohol abuse. Apprentices feel comfortable to seek further advice if needed and find the external links included within the emails helpful. Apprentices complete training on a variety of topics, including radicalisation and extremism, fundamental British values and safeguarding, as part of their induction. They confidently talk about signs to look for in peers who may be at risk of radicalisation, such as becoming quieter or a change in views. However, this is not revisited throughout the course. As a result, not all apprentices are able to remember

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Reasonable progress

what they are taught. Apprentices benefit from thorough health and safety training at the start of their programme. This is continuously reinforced when carrying out workshop activities. For example, apprentices complete detailed risk assessments before commencing any tasks. They identify hazards such as ensuring safety goggles are used and long hair is tied back when using machinery. Monitoring visit: North West Training Council, 7–8 July 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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