Astara Training Limited

Astara Training Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Steven Tucker, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 October 2021 Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 37 The Wincombe Centre Wincombe Business Park Shaftesbury SB7 9QJ Monitoring visit: Astara Training Limited, 6 and 7 October 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

Astara Training Limited (Astara) is an independent learning provider based in Shaftesbury, Dorset. Astara provides apprenticeship training nationally and across a wide range of sectors. Almost all apprentices study an apprenticeship standard. Around three quarters of the apprentices are trained by two subcontractors. Trendy Pooches, based in Merseyside, specialises in animal care and welfare, and Approved Training Limited (ATL), based in Greater Manchester, trains apprentices in engineering and logistics. AST and both subcontractors provide business and administration, and education and training apprenticeships. At the time of the monitoring visit, Trendy Pooches had 37 apprentices, ATL had 37 apprentices and Astara had 17 apprentices.

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Context and focus of visit

Astara was inspected as a new provider in June 2021. At this inspection, inspectors judged that leaders had made insufficient progress in ensuring that effective safeguarding arrangements are in place.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have made progress in dealing with the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection, but they still have much to do to establish fully a culture of safeguarding. They now monitor subcontractors closely through weekly meetings that review the training of staff on safeguarding, staff records and staff knowledge about safeguarding. Leaders have updated policies to reflect recent changes to statutory guidance on safeguarding. They have revised the policy on recruiting staff who are suitable to work with young people, and they ensure that subcontractors are fully aware of their obligations when recruiting staff for Astara programmes. However, contradictions between some of these policies remain. For example, the policy on recruiting staff and the safeguarding policy contain different expectations of the checks that leaders will carry out when appointing staff. Members of the board responsible for governance support and challenge the director

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Reasonable progress

well. Since the previous inspection, they have started monitoring the impact of the changes to safeguarding arrangements, and have learned about changes to national policy, guidance and research concerning safeguarding. Board members recognise Monitoring visit: Astara Training Limited, 6 and 7 October 2021 that they need to do more to support the director in moving beyond simply ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. Leaders have ensured that current staff working with young people are subject to the checks from the disclosure and barring service that they need. The director and a board member have been trained in how to recruit suitable staff, and they have amended their policy on recruitment to reflect statutory guidance. Managers in subcontractors are fully aware of Astara’s requirements for them to follow this policy. Leaders now keep records of staff training and safeguarding information in one

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Reasonable progress

place. This provides them with the information they need to track whether staff are compliant with training and safeguarding requirements. Leaders have started to collect information about their current staff that was previously missing. This includes references and evidence of staff qualifications. They are making progress on this task, but it is not yet complete, and some information, such as details of staff qualifications, is missing.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have worked closely with subcontractors to ensure that their staff are properly trained and understand their responsibilities for safeguarding. Leaders have compiled a good range of courses for staff to study, and they now record staff completion of training in a single record. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of how to keep apprentices safe. Most have completed refresher training on safeguarding since the previous inspection. However, three staff have not completed it within the timescale set by their manager. Leaders recognise that they need to improve the extent to which staff comply with the expectations that leaders set. Leaders have improved the information that they provide to staff about safeguarding. For example, they keep staff at Trendy Pooches up to date with changes to safeguarding guidance and brief staff daily on any recent issues that have arisen. Leaders have ensured that staff in Astara, as well as those in subcontractors, know

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Reasonable progress

to whom they should report concerns about an apprentice’s safety. The director of Astara has been trained as the designated safeguarding lead (DSGL). They have made arrangements for a similarly trained director to act as the deputy designated safeguarding lead if the DSGL is not available. Not all staff know about this arrangement, and therefore a small number do not know who to contact if the director of Astara is not available. Monitoring visit: Astara Training Limited, 6 and 7 October 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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T : 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E : enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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