Communicators Training Associates Limited

Communicators Training Associates Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Cath Jackson, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Technology Court Bradbury Road Newton Aycliffe DL5 6DA Monitoring visit: Communicators Training Associates Limited, 21 and 22 April 2022

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Context and focus of visit

From March 2019, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision which began to be funded from August 2017 or after. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Communicators Training Associates Limited (CTA) is an independent learning provider. Its main base is in Newton Aycliffe, with outreach centres in Middlesbrough and Darlington. In August 2020, CTA was funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority to provide courses for unemployed adults leading towards functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics and to run courses leading to qualifications in digital skills, employability skills and customer service. At the time of the monitoring visit, 25 adult learners were on programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide courses in English, mathematics, customer service, employability and digital skills that effectively meet the needs of the adult learners with whom they work. Learners improve their skills and confidence, and most achieve recognised qualifications that support them to take positive next steps towards employment, further education or training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work in close partnership with stakeholders to provide courses that meet the needs of unemployed and disadvantaged adults in the region. For example, they collaborate with charities that provide employment support services, provide support for people with mental health or addiction issues and aim to rehabilitate ex- offenders. Stakeholders value the effective communication that they receive from leaders and staff, such as timely updates on learners’ progress and aspirations. Stakeholders say that many of the adults who attend courses with CTA grow in confidence and improve their social and communication skills as they learn.

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Reasonable progress

Managers monitor learners’ progress towards their next steps once learners have completed a course to assure themselves that the learning that CTA provides is achieving its purpose. Many learners who follow courses in English, mathematics, customer service and digital skills progress to positive destinations, including further Monitoring visit: Communicators Training Associates Limited, 21 and 22 April 2022 education and volunteering. A small number of learners progress directly into employment or apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that tutors are appropriately qualified and experienced, including in teaching English and mathematics. Most tutors have prior experience working with disadvantaged adult learners. Learners respect and value their patient and supportive teachers and are keen to learn and develop. When staff leave to take up other posts, leaders swiftly recruit appropriately experienced and qualified staff to ensure continuity of teaching.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors accurately identify learners’ existing knowledge, experience, qualifications and aspirations at the start of programmes to ensure that learners are on the right course and level for their needs. They then use this information to tailor learning to learners’ personal goals. For example, tutors support adult learners who wish to work in labouring or groundwork to understand and pass the tests that they need to gain the construction skills certification scheme card. This enables these learners to apply for employment in the construction industry.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors plan and sequence teaching logically. On digital skills courses, tutors prioritise online safety at the start of the programme and then teach about basic functions and systems. As a result, learners understand how to organise and store information securely and logically. On employability skills courses, learners identify their existing skills and attributes prior to developing job search skills and interview techniques. This develops their confidence and self-esteem and motivates them to learn.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors use assessment well and provide helpful and motivational feedback to ensure that learners understand what they have done well and what they need to do to improve. For example, they use practice tests to accurately identify and target the areas that learners find problematic when preparing for functional skills mathematics examinations, such as calculations using fractions. As a result, most learners make good progress.

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Reasonable progress

Learners value their learning and become more self-assured as they develop and improve their English, mathematics and digital skills. As a result, learners who have been long-term unemployed become much more positive about applying for work.

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Reasonable progress

In a few cases, tutors set improvement targets for learners that are too broad or generic or do not have specific enough timescales. This slows the progress of a small number of learners because they are unsure of how to improve. Monitoring visit: Communicators Training Associates Limited, 21 and 22 April 2022

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established a culture of safeguarding and protection within the training organisation. They have in place a designated safeguarding officer who has carried out relevant training to perform this role. Staff have procedures for reporting and dealing with safeguarding incidents and act upon cases in a timely and appropriate manner.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have effective links with external agencies, including the regional ‘Prevent’ coordinator, through which they receive regular updates about local risks. All staff undertake ‘Prevent’ duty and safeguarding-related staff development appropriate to their role.

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Reasonable progress

Adult learners feel safe in their learning centres. They know about staying safe online, such as when using social media.

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Reasonable progress

While most learners can recall receiving information about the risks of radicalisation and extremism, they have limited awareness of the nature of local risks. A few learners find it hard to relate the threat of radicalisation and extremism to their own contexts. Monitoring visit: Communicators Training Associates Limited, 21 and 22 April 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

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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 .

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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