Central Veterinary Services Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Central Veterinary Services Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Central Veterinary Services Limited (CVSL) is an independent learning provider offering veterinary nursing apprenticeships. CVSL began providing apprenticeships in 2019. CVSL is based in Suffolk and offers training in Suffolk, Kent and Devon. At the time of the inspection, there were 14 apprentices studying level 3 veterinary nursing standard. Apprentices work in both small independent and large national employers. There are no apprentices currently in receipt of high-needs funding and CVSL has no subcontractors. 18 to 20 May 2022

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices are highly motivated and value their roles in animal care. They develop the high standards of behaviour expected at work. Apprentices become valued team members, for example using their knowledge of anatomy to better support veterinary cardiologists.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices develop good specialist skills and knowledge that have immediate relevance to their work; for example, learning the correct way to position an animal for an X-ray. Apprentices are proactive in seeking help when they need it. As a result, apprentices progress well and embed their knowledge and understanding successfully through on- and off-the-job training.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices are prepared appropriately to live as responsible citizens in modern Britain. They have a good understanding of fundamental British values and apply these effectively and sensitively in their work. Apprentices respect and act on clients’ beliefs about the treatment of seriously ill pets and/or pets at the end of their lives.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe. Apprentices understand the risks of drug misuse and how to safely dispose of prescribed drugs in their workplaces. Apprentices are confident that staff will respond quickly to their concerns.

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better?

Leaders and managers have designed an ambitious curriculum in veterinary nursing. They work closely with local and national employers to ensure that the course meets employer needs. Tutors work closely with employers’ clinical coaches to plan high- quality learning and assessment in the workplace. As a result, apprentices receive individualised training that quickly develops the knowledge needed to work in veterinary practice.

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better?

Leaders have recruited tutors who are specialists in their fields. Tutors frequently update their clinical knowledge. Tutors learn, for example, the latest methods of anaesthesia and blood transfusion. They use this knowledge effectively to adapt and enhance the curriculum and deepen apprentices’ understanding.

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better?

Apprentices benefit from high-quality resources. They make good use of these to extend and improve their skills. Apprentices are trained in and know how to use the latest industry-standard equipment. Apprentices use anaesthetic equipment appropriately and understand its safe operation in clinical practice.

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better?

Tutors work closely with clinical coaches to determine apprentices’ starting points accurately. Tutors use this information appropriately to carefully plan and adapt apprentices’ learning. Tutors review apprentices’ progress with clinical coaches through each learning stage. As a result, apprentices make good progress and know what they must do to improve. 18 to 20 May 2022

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Apprentices link the theory they are taught to their clinical practice very effectively. They learn disinfection theory, applying this to the use of infection control. Tutors’ detailed feedback and clear guidance enable apprentices to understand how to apply their knowledge and skills at work.

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Apprentices receive good support to help them to better manage their mental well- being. Leaders and managers have appointed a mental health first aider. Tutors swiftly identified and helped apprentices who required additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, apprentices remain on programme and are successful in their studies.

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Leaders and managers have created a supportive culture for staff. Staff feel valued and have a clear focus on ensuring that apprentices make good progress. New tutors are well supported to develop their teaching skills alongside their experienced colleagues. As a result, new tutors quickly improve their teaching of complex topics, such as anatomy and physiology.

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Leaders and managers have not ensured that apprentices receive effective support to develop their written English skills. Apprentices have the qualifications in English and mathematics they need to complete their learning programmes. However, tutors do not provide the feedback apprentices need to improve their sentence structure and grammar. As a result, a significant minority of apprentices do not sufficiently improve the clarity of their report writing to the professional standard required.

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Tutors do not plan and provide effective ongoing impartial careers advice and guidance. Apprentices have a good understanding of how to further their careers in veterinary nursing. However, their interests are not explored beyond the requirements of the curriculum. As a result, apprentices are unclear about the range of options available to them beyond the veterinary field.

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Governance arrangements are not yet effective. Governors do not challenge leaders effectively to continually improve the quality of apprenticeship training.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Apprentices understand and follow key safety measures at work. Apprentices involved in X-ray imaging know the importance of wearing a safety monitor that checks their exposure to radiation.

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Safeguarding

Staff provide a safe and supportive learning environment. The designated safeguarding lead is appropriately qualified and experienced. Leaders and managers continually review their approach to safeguarding, and update training for all staff. As a result, they respond quickly and appropriately to any safeguarding concerns. 18 to 20 May 2022

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders need to ensure that governance arrangements challenge them effectively to continually improve the quality of teaching and learning.  Leaders need to ensure that apprentices receive ongoing impartial careers advice and guidance to enable apprentices to recognise the wide range of career options available to them.  Leaders and managers need to ensure that apprentices receive effective support to develop a good standard of written English. They need to ensure that apprentices are able to produce good-quality, professional reports. 18 to 20 May 2022

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Provider details

Address Central College of Animal Studies Ipswich Veterinary Centre 1 Donald Mackintosh Way Ipswich Suffolk IP8 3LQ

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 18 to 20 May 2022

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the head of quality and improvement, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Chris Bealey, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector Rob Bamford Ofsted Inspector Shahram Safavi Ofsted Inspector 18 to 20 May 2022

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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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