I & F Limited (trading as Skills4 Group)

I & F Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Alison Humphreys, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

7 Cable Court Pitman Way Fulwood Preston PR2 9YW Monitoring visit I&F Limited, 30–31 March 2022

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Context and focus of visit

I & F Limited was inspected in July 2021. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in addressing the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

I & F Limited, also known as skills4pharmacy, provide training for the pharmaceutical industry across the country. At the time of the visit, there were around 221 apprentices enrolled on apprenticeships standards. The majority of apprentices are enrolled on the level 2 pharmacy services assistant apprenticeship standard with the remainder on the level 3 pharmacy technician integrated apprenticeship standard.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices complete assessments of their knowledge, skills and behaviours at the start of the apprenticeship to identify what they already know and can do, and what they need to learn. Leaders continue to develop how tutors use the information gathered from these assessments to plan a challenging and individualised curriculum. Tutors have detailed discussions with pharmacy managers and workplace supervisors to identify apprentices’ strengths and areas for development. They use this information to plan a programme of learning that benefits both the employer and the apprentice. However, tutors do not routinely individualise the learning plan beyond the addition of useful qualifications and adjustments to assessment to provide an ambitious curriculum for all apprentices. For example, a few apprentices with recent experience in a pharmacy follow the same programme as those apprentices with no pharmacy experience.

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Reasonable progress

Most tutors effectively coordinate on- and off-the-job training. They liaise regularly with workplace supervisors to support apprentices to apply their new learning in the workplace. For example, apprentices studying the level 3 pharmacy technician apprenticeship learn about toxic waste and its correct disposal. Following this training, apprentices take a lead role for waste disposal within the pharmacy. Apprentices studying level 2 pharmacy services assistant apprenticeship learn about the standard operating procedures for controlled drugs. They apply what they have learned by following the regulated processes when carrying out record keeping and stock counts. Monitoring visit I&F Limited, 30–31 March 2022

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have introduced standardised feedback methods to help apprentices develop their knowledge. Most tutors provide useful feedback that helps apprentices know what they are doing well and what they need to do to improve. This has resulted in apprentices producing higher quality written work. It is now more detailed and includes the correct medical terminology. They develop their communication skills so that they can read Latin-based prescription instructions to dispense the correct medicines to patients. However, in a few instances, tutors’ feedback does not provide information on how apprentices can develop their skills and behaviours. Tutors set targets that relate to the completion of tasks and activities as part of the qualification, but do not focus sufficiently on the development of apprentices’ skills and behaviours. Tutors provide effective feedback to explain how apprentices can improve their work

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Reasonable progress

to achieve distinctions in their final assessments. Apprentices complete practice activities to help them prepare. As a result, apprentices know what they need to do to pass their final assessments and achieve distinctions.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers continue to strengthen the ongoing careers information and guidance they give to apprentices. They work with a range of stakeholders, such as the general pharmaceutical council, to gain a deeper understanding of the wider career pathways available to apprentices. As a result, apprentices learn about pharmacy roles in sectors such as hospitals, the community, prisons and online pharmacies. Tutors receive training on various employment and higher education opportunities available to apprentices on completion of their apprenticeship. This enables tutors to provide apprentices with useful information on a range of career pathways and progression opportunities to help them to make better informed choices about their next steps. Most apprentices benefit from useful advice and guidance at the start of their apprenticeship. They know what they will learn and the progression routes available

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Reasonable progress

to them. Tutors use ‘hot topics’ in apprentices’ reviews of their progress to discuss their next steps. Apprentices that want to move into nursing learn about the nursing band structure in hospitals. Apprentices that want to progress into higher education are guided on additional study, such as A level chemistry, before applying for pharmacology degrees. However, in a few instances, tutors discuss broad career Monitoring visit I&F Limited, 30–31 March 2022 pathways that are not linked to apprentices’ aspirations. As a result, these apprentices are unclear of their next steps.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have appropriate governance arrangements in place. Non-executive board members have the appropriate skills and expertise in the further education and skills sector to provide support and challenge on the quality of education apprentices receive. Leaders are in the process of strengthening the board further by recruiting an additional member to act as chair. Since the last inspection, leaders have improved the information the board receives. Leaders have attended training on leadership and governance, which has informed the structure and content of papers that the board now receive. For example, they provide useful information on the strengths and weaknesses of teaching and the impact on staff development. As a result, clear development plans are in place to support improvements. Members of the board meet monthly. They use their experience to challenge leaders on the quality of education. However, in a few instances, they do not accurately

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Reasonable progress

record or challenge sufficiently all the outcomes of actions set in the board meeting to ensure leaders have acted swiftly enough. Monitoring visit I&F Limited, 30–31 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.

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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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