Crown Vocational Training Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

p.1

Inspection of Crown Vocational Training Limited

p.1

Inspection dates: 29 June to 2 July 2021

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Apprenticeships Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

p.1

Information about this provider

Crown Vocational Training Limited (CVTL) is an independent learning provider based in Essex. CVTL provides apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, management and property services from level 2 to level 5. These include level 2 apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, junior estate agent and housing and property management assistant. Level 3 apprenticeships are offered in housing and property management and team leader or supervisor. Level 4 apprenticeships are offered in property services and senior housing and property management. CVTL also offers apprenticeships at level 5 in either operations or departmental manager. Level 2 property services apprentices account for approximately half of the apprentices currently in learning.

p.1

Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, 158 apprentices were on a programme. Of these, a third were aged between 16 to 18 years old. Almost a quarter of apprentices study level 2 functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics. There are no apprentices in receipt of high needs funding. The provider has no subcontractors. 29 June–2 July 2021

p.1

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices working towards level 2 property service programmes are frustrated by the slow progress they are making. Because leaders have not ensured that these apprentices have been taught by a subject-specialist tutor, apprentices have not moved beyond the general knowledge elements of their training. As a result, these apprentices have a growing lack of confidence in their own ability to complete their training programme.

p.2

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Many apprentices are motivated to learn. They feel tutors are friendly and welcoming which makes it easier to approach them for help and advice. Apprentices value the frequent contact they receive from their tutors, especially throughout the pandemic.

p.2

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Many apprentices appreciate the vocational expertise of their tutors who have extensive experience within the sectors apprentices work in. Apprentices on level 3 programmes benefit from a well-structured curriculum. These apprentices feel empowered by the knowledge and behaviours they have gained that they can now apply in the workplace.

p.2

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel safe at CVTL. They know how to keep themselves safe when working alone to view property with their clients. Apprentices feel they are treated fairly and respectfully. Apprentices learn about professionalism at work. They adhere to the health and safety practices, which includes following the code of conduct for the professional use of social media.

p.2

better?

Apprentices on level 2 property services training make slow progress. Leaders have not ensured that apprentices learn and develop new skills rapidly. Apprentices have been in training for a significant amount of time but have not yet moved beyond the introductory period of their programme due to a lack of suitably qualified tutors at CVTL.

p.2

better?

Leaders do not have an effective oversight of the strengths and weaknesses of the quality of training to inform areas for improvement or development. The improvement actions they take are often disjointed, poorly coordinated and lack impact. Leaders have not recognised the slow progress that apprentices make on their level 2 property services programmes.

p.2

better?

Remaining apprentices benefit from well-structured programmes enabling them to effectively link the content they learn from their training to their workplaces and business lives. Level 3 business administration apprentices receive training in professional ethics and equalities legislation, including indirect discrimination, within the first three months of their programme. As a result, from an early stage in their training they can apply their knowledge of treating people equally and with fairness in their working relationships with their clients and colleagues. 29 June–2 July 2021 Leaders have established an effective culture of networking with local businesses to plan programmes that meet employers’ needs appropriately. Leaders recognise the value of maintaining and nurturing their long-standing business partnerships. They have maintained their intention to provide niche training to the property services

p.2

better?

sector. Leaders have developed, for example, property management apprenticeship programmes that meet the needs of social housing companies and council housing departments. As a result, apprentices have the skills and confidence to support people in the local community, especially people who are vulnerable or at risk of harm, to find suitable housing.

p.3

better?

Leaders have ensured that their initial recruitment of apprentices is thorough and well managed. They ensure that apprentices are working in suitable roles that are relevant to the apprenticeship programmes their employers choose. Leaders ensure that tutors establish the existing skills, knowledge and experience of apprentices at the start of the programme to plan training appropriately.

p.3

better?

Apprentices gain valuable sector-specific skills and behaviours from their apprenticeship programme. Most apprentices develop personal resilience and authority that enables them to deal effectively with complaints. Apprentices manage difficult clients skilfully and calmly. Level 4 housing and property management apprentices demonstrate an effective understanding of housing and property legislation. This gives them greater confidence when working with and advising their clients. Level 2 junior estate agent apprentices develop their customer care skills quickly through dealing with clients on the phone and in person. They understand and apply appropriately legislation, such as general data protection regulation, by ensuring that they do not divulge personal client information. Through maintaining customer management database systems, they ensure that client information is appropriately updated and protected.

p.3

better?

Tutors do not identify rapidly those apprentices who require additional help with their learning. Additionally, leaders do not provide appropriate training for tutors to enable them to help apprentices with specific needs, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. Leaders rely too heavily on tutors spending more time with apprentices to coach them through their training. As a result, apprentices do not develop the strategies they need to overcome challenges they face with their training.

p.3

better?

Tutors do not provide effective, ongoing careers advice and guidance to apprentices to support their long-term career plans. Apprentices are not appropriately informed about the breadth of potential careers available to them. A few apprentices progress to management and more senior sales roles within their organisations shortly after completing their qualifications.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Apprentices learn and apply safe working practices. They have a good understanding of the risks they are exposed to when working alone or when 29 June–2 July 2021 showing clients around a property. They are trained in using personal alarms and abide by employers’ strict protocols for monitoring their movements while on company business.

p.3

Safeguarding

Apprentices feel safe and know how to report concerns to the provider and to their workplace supervisors. They know that their concerns will be handled with dignity and care. Apprentices value the support they have received from their tutors to deal with difficult personal situations, such as domestic violence.

p.4

What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders must ensure that apprentices on level 2 property services programmes make good progress. They must make sure that apprentices have access to appropriate, subject-specific training to complement the training they receive from employers in the workplace.  Leaders must establish an effective oversight of the quality of training. They must review the impact of their quality improvement actions. Leaders must act promptly to bring about sustained improvement.  Leaders must ensure that tutors receive appropriate training to provide specific study support. Tutors must help apprentices develop appropriate learning strategies for overcoming barriers to learning. Leaders need to provide appropriate, ongoing careers advice and guidance for apprentices to shape and inform their long-term career opportunities. 29 June–2 July 2021

p.4

Provider details

Address Caedmon Hall Pall Mall Leigh On Sea Essex SS9 1RA

p.5

Provider details

Website www.crownvocationaltraining.co.uk

p.5

Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

p.5

Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

p.5

Provider details

Main subcontractors None 29 June–2 July 2021

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the operations director, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements including observing learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

p.6

Inspection team

Michael Worgs, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Linnia Khemdoudi Her Majesty’s Inspector Saher Nijabat Her Majesty’s Inspector Rebecca Perry Her Majesty’s Inspector 29 June–2 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 children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspection team

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 .

p.7

Inspection team

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 .

p.7

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection team

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

p.7