Sapphire Logistics and Consultancy Ltd

Name of lead inspector: Sharon Dowling, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Office 3-3a First Floor Old School House Church Road Dudley DY2 0LY Monitoring visit: Sapphire Logistics and Consultancy Limited, 8 and 9 June 2022

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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 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

Sapphire Training and Consultancy Limited is an independent training provider based in Dudley, specialising in training for the care and early years sectors. Established in 2018, the provider currently offers a range of commercial training and has held a contract to provide apprenticeships since April 2020. At the time of the visit, 180 apprentices were in learning. All apprentices were following standards-based apprenticeships, of which 45 were studying adult care worker at level 2, 55 were studying lead adult care worker at level 3, 10 were studying lead practitioner in adult care at level 4, 15 were studying leadership and management for adult care at level 5, 14 were studying early years educator at level 3, 38 were studying early years lead practitioner and three were studying early years practitioner at level 2.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work closely with employers and the local authority to identify the skills shortages facing the care sector in Dudley and the wider West Midlands. Leaders identify and support well the upskilling of staff in the sector and the recruitment of new apprentices into care. For example, they introduce training in single-handed care, to ensure apprentices are developing skills in response to the changes made in the domiciliary care strategy by the local authorities in the region.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders clearly understand the strengths and areas for development in the provider and are putting in place strategies to support rapid improvements. Leaders have made changes to the staffing structure, introducing two new tiers of leadership, which has led to the implementation of new processes to support improvements. As a result, apprentices who were falling behind, have been identified and are now being supported to catch up. Monitoring visit: Sapphire Logistics and Consultancy Limited, 8 and 9 June 2022 Leaders are implementing a strategy to support the teaching of English and mathematics, both as formal qualifications for those who need them or as a part of the wider apprenticeship delivery. Managers have recognised that apprentices require applied mathematics and English support and, as a result, are currently developing staff to be better equipped to support apprentices, complementing the support being provided by a functional skills specialist.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have been slow to implement effective arrangements for the quality assurance of the apprenticeship programmes. However, a quality improvement plan is now in place, which clearly details the key areas requiring attention. While there are signs this plan is leading to improvements in the quality of education, it is too early to judge its impact fully.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place a board of governance, including three external governors with expertise in curriculum planning and safeguarding. Governors receive information which allows them to support improvements, such as retention and achievement data and curriculum design information.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have sequenced the curriculum appropriately and work with employers to identify how this can be adapted to meet the needs of both employers and apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Training and development coaches ensure that apprentices develop the skills and behaviours they need to work effectively within the care and early years sector. Employers value the contribution that apprentices make to their businesses and the service users and children that they support. Apprentices develop new knowledge and consequently, they become more confident, secure and competent practitioners.

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Reasonable progress

Training and development coaches use a range of activities to support apprentices to develop their knowledge, such as using effective questioning and making strong links to workplace practice in training sessions. For example, apprentices develop an improved understanding of governance in the care sector and how it links to their role as a manager, making links between theory and workplace practice.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have not always been effective in ensuring that apprentices’ progress is monitored closely or accurately enough. Too many reviews lack thoroughness, and targets lack clarity. As a result, some apprentices have fallen behind, withdrawn or are past their planned end date. Where apprentices have been provided with support to catch up, too many of these documented plans lack sufficient detail and precision.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have recently put in place a thorough appraisal of apprentices’ starting points. Initial assessment has been improved, ensuring that apprentices are on the Monitoring visit: Sapphire Logistics and Consultancy Limited, 8 and 9 June 2022 correct level and that any mathematics and English skills that require development by apprentices are being prioritised. However, a small number of apprentices have been delayed going through gateway, as they have not yet achieved their functional skills qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place safeguarding processes that are appropriate for the apprentices they work with. Leaders respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and the action taken is logged and appropriate follow-up is in place.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently invested in a new system to support the reporting of and tracking of safeguarding concerns and of vulnerable apprentices. At the time of the visit, this was still in the early stages of set-up.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a clear understanding of how to safeguard the adults and young children they work with. As a result, apprentices are able to identify and respond to concerns as they arise. However, apprentices’ understanding of their own safeguarding and risk is less well developed. Apprentices feel safe and know who to speak to if they have any concerns. Monitoring visit: Sapphire Logistics and Consultancy Limited, 8 and 9 June 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

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

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