Our Training Department Ltd

Our Training Department Ltd Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Bev Ramsell, Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

37-39 Ludgate Hill Birmingham B3 1EH Monitoring visit: Our Training Department Ltd, 22 and 23 March 2022

p.1

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’.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

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

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Our Training Department Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Birmingham. They have held a contract to teach apprenticeships for levy-paying employers since 2019. At the time of the visit, there were 61 apprentices across five employers, all of which were over the age of 19. There were 10 following the sporting excellence professional standard at level 3, 24 were studying the team leader or supervisor standard at level 3, and the remaining 27 apprentices were undertaking the operations/departmental manager standard at level 5.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have made reasonable progress towards creating a culture of safeguarding. They have put in place a range of measures that raise apprentices’ awareness of safeguarding, including the ‘Prevent’ duty. For example, tutors revisit relevant safeguarding and Prevent topics during online training sessions. As a result, apprentices have a broad understanding of what extremist behaviour is and how to recognise the signs of radicalisation. Apprentices know who to report concerns to and know how to stay safe when working online.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have appointed a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy. Both have undergone appropriate training, which has resulted in the implementation of a new effective process for identifying, recording, and monitoring safeguarding incidents and the development of links with regional Prevent coordinators. The DSL disseminates regular updates through weekly bulletins, newsletters, and emails. However, it is too early to see the impact of this, as a few apprentices are still not sufficiently aware of the potential risks posed to them in the areas in which they live and work. Monitoring visit: Our Training Department Ltd, 22 and 23 March 2022 Employers are aware of their responsibilities in keeping apprentices safe. They complete appropriate risk assessments for apprentices in their workplace. They ensure that apprentices follow safe working practices, such as are outlined in lone- working policies. For example, they provide transportation for apprentices working at

p.2

Reasonable progress

remote sites. As a result, apprentices work safely and feel safe. However, leaders need to ensure that they scrutinise employers’ risk assessments thoroughly and have a clear oversight of any health and safety concerns. Monitoring visit: Our Training Department Ltd, 22 and 23 March 2022 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.3

Reasonable progress

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.4

Reasonable progress

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.4

Reasonable progress

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

p.4

Reasonable progress

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

p.4