Applied Business Academy Limited

Applied Business Academy Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sue Hasty, Her Majesty's Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit G2 Waterfront Studios Business Centre 1 Dock Road London E16 1AG Monitoring visit: Applied Business Academy Limited, 4 August 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 and/or the apprenticeship levy. This follow-up safeguarding monitoring visit has been carried out consequent to the provider being found to be making insufficient progress with respect to safeguarding at their previous monitoring visit. It follows the arrangements outlined in the 'Further education and skills inspection handbook'.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this visit is only on the safeguarding theme below.

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Context and focus of visit

Applied Business Academy Limited began training apprentices in April 2020. At the time of the monitoring visit, 12 apprentices studied the level 3 digital marketer standard-based programme, and four apprentices studied the level 3 junior content producer standard-based programme. Three learners recently started traineeship programmes. All apprentices and trainees are age 19 and over.

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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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Significant progress

Since the previous monitoring visit, senior leaders have rapidly addressed most of the weaknesses in their arrangements for keeping apprentices safe. The leadership team promptly implemented robust measures for employing new staff. For example, managers now undertake identity checks and look at references from staffs' previous employers. All the appropriate background checks are in place for new and existing employees.

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Significant progress

Leaders have taken highly effective steps to promote a culture in which apprentices and trainees are safe to learn. Leaders quickly established a new team of staff responsible for safeguarding. The lead and deputy safeguarding officers are suitably qualified and experienced for these roles. The safeguarding officers make sure that apprentices know how to contact them. Their names and photographs are clearly visible on posters, on the provider's safeguarding web page, and through a smart phone digital reader. Apprentices have a very good understanding of how, and to whom, they would report a concern. Monitoring visit: Applied Business Academy Limited, 4 August 2021 Skills coaches effectively teach apprentices topics relating to the dangers of extremism and radicalisation, including in the context of British values. Apprentices talk fluently about the conflicts between individual liberty and the rule of law, such as

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Significant progress

the changes in COVID-19 restrictions. Apprentices identify clearly the risks posed by online grooming through social media. They are taught about different types of abuse and signs to look for in others, and understand safeguarding in the context of their places of work. Monitoring visit: Applied Business Academy Limited, 4 August 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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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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

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