Plato Training (UK) Ltd

Plato Training (UK) Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Kim Bleasdale, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 3 Wilkinson Business Park Wrexham Industrial Estate Wrexham LL13 9AE Monitoring visit: Plato Training (UK) Limited, 14 and 15 June 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 by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. 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

Plato Training (UK) Ltd received its first publicly funded contract to deliver adult learning programmes in August 2021. It is an independent learning provider that provides a range of short training courses to adults seeking work in the childcare and health and social care sectors. The provider currently has 729 learners enrolled on courses. The largest numbers are in level 1 caring for children under five and level 1 extended awareness in work skills. The remaining learners study a range of childcare, health and social care and business qualifications from levels 1 to 3.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for their adult learning provision. Their aim is to meet the demand for skilled workers in the health and social care and childcare sectors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have designed the curriculum so that learners can develop their confidence, self-esteem and skills for employment or their personal lives. Consequently, a significant number of learners achieve their goals by moving into higher learning or employment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders, such as referral agencies. They have recently started to deliver two-week programmes in childcare and health and social care to unemployed adults. This meets the skill demands of nursery and care home employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have an accurate understanding of the quality of their provision. They set a clear strategic vision for the curriculum they offer. Managers carefully consider staff well-being and workloads. For example, leaders ensure staff Monitoring visit: Plato Training (UK) Limited, 14 and 15 June 2022 have sufficient planning and marking time. They provide weekly online yoga sessions for staff.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers monitor the performance of the provision and staff effectively. They track and monitor learners’ progress comprehensively. Leaders have very recently introduced performance targets for staff. For instance, they have set strict timescales to mark and provide feedback on learners’ work. It is too early to assess the full impact of this.

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Reasonable progress

Most learners make good progress and complete their courses on time. However, a few learners have not completed their programmes on time. Leaders have appropriate plans in place to ensure that learners swiftly complete their courses.

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Reasonable progress

Governors receive appropriate information from managers. This enables them to have an effective understanding of the strengths and areas they need to improve. They monitor closely any areas that need improving and hold staff to account, for example in relation to the learners who have not completed their courses on time.

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Reasonable progress

Learners develop vital new knowledge and skills as a result of their courses. In health and social care, learners understand the importance of showing empathy to elderly residents by maintaining appropriate eye contact and speaking clearly. In childcare, learners know the value of children learning through play. For example, pointing out insects to young children when playing in the park helps them learn about bugs and wildlife. Consequently, learners know more and remember more throughout their programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors accurately identify learners’ prior experience, knowledge and qualifications at the start of the programme. They provide appropriate initial advice and guidance. This ensures that learners are enrolled onto the right course at the right level.

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Reasonable progress

Learners like the flexibility of their courses. Many learners have family and childcare commitments. When learners cannot attend an online class, tutors provide catch up sessions, telephone calls and additional workbooks. This successfully meets learners’ individual needs and ensures that learners do not fall behind in their learning. As a result, most learners are on target to complete their courses on time.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide detailed and useful feedback to learners. This helps learners to understand what they have done well and where they need to improve their work. However, not all tutors routinely identify spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes Monitoring visit: Plato Training (UK) Limited, 14 and 15 June 2022 in written work. This means that a few learners continue to make the same mistakes in later work.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide learners with effective careers information, advice and guidance. Learners know the different types of job roles available to them in their chosen sectors, for example social workers, teaching assistants and care workers. However, a few learners who have not already gained English and mathematics qualifications are unclear as to whether they need these qualifications to work in their chosen sector.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders and managers place a high priority on keeping learners safe. They ensure that all members of the safeguarding team are suitably qualified. Leaders complete a range of appropriate checks when appointing new staff to make sure they are suitable to work with learners.

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Reasonable progress

Learners and staff, including the designated safeguarding lead and deputy, receive appropriate training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe and know who to contact if they have any safeguarding concerns at the provider. They know how to spot signs of abuse in children and elderly people. Learners know how to keep themselves safe at work. For example, applying the correct lifting techniques when lifting children or moving elderly residents. Monitoring visit: Plato Training (UK) Limited, 14 and 15 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 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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