The Learning Partnership for Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of The Learning Partnership for Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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Information about this provider

The Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (LPCo) was established in 2001 and is based in Redruth, Cornwall. It was formed to enable partners to work together for the benefit of local learners, and contribute to the improvement of the economy of Cornwall. It currently works with three sub-contractors, Flying Start Nurseries, Integer Training Limited, and Digital Peninsula Network Limited.

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Information about this provider

LPCo provides apprenticeships in early years practitioner, early years educator, adult care worker, leader in adult care, digital marketer and marketing executive. At the time of inspection, 55 apprentices were studying apprenticeships at level 3. Three apprentices were studying apprenticeships at level 5, three at level 4, and 7 at level 2. All but nine apprentices were aged 19 and over. Limited, 22 to 24 June 2022

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

Apprentices have a very positive attitude to their work and to their apprenticeships. LPCo staff and employers are effective in creating a productive learning environment within which apprentices develop their confidence, resilience and fulfil their potential. Assessors set high standards for their apprentices and encourage them effectively in order to work at a high standard professionally and academically.

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

Apprentices swiftly gain new skills, knowledge and behaviours that prepare them well for their future careers. They benefit from a well-planned and effectively taught curriculum that enables them to build on their previous understanding, and improve their confidence. For example, adult care apprentices quickly become skilled at working with clients, many of whom display very challenging behaviours. The apprentices become more understanding, inclusive and respectful of different people’s needs as a result of their work.

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

Apprentices feel safe. They know how and to whom to report any concerns about their own safety and welfare. Digital marketer apprentices have a good understanding of how to stay mentally healthy in a digital environment. They apply appropriate procedures which keep them safe when using the internet. Apprentices find staff approachable and appreciate how they make time to help them with their studies and their personal lives.

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better?

Leaders and managers have a clear ambition to provide high-quality training to meet skills shortages in Cornwall and the Isles of Silly. They work closely with employers and the local council when planning the curriculum. As a result, the apprenticeships they offer meet the needs of employers well. Employers are complimentary about the impact on their businesses of the curriculum that LPCo has established. For example, employing apprentices studying the digital marketer curriculum equips small businesses in Cornwall with their own in-house digital skills. This helps them significantly to sustain and grow their enterprises.

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better?

LPCo staff and employers work productively together to plan a curriculum which rapidly enables apprentices to become effective at work. Adult care workers study optional subjects early in their apprenticeship which are relevant to their clients’ needs. For example, studying a unit on end-of-life care has helped apprentices to offer compassionate care to clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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better?

Assessors establish clearly apprentices existing vocational knowledge at the start of their apprenticeships. Apprentices receive good advice and guidance at this point from LPCo staff and employers. They work effectively together to plan the sequence of the curriculum to meet apprentices’ and employers’ needs. Consequently, most apprentices have a realistic understanding of the demands of the qualification and are motivated to succeed. Limited, 22 to 24 June 2022

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Apprentices benefit from good professional and pastoral support from assessors and their employers. Adult care worker and early years educator apprentices have faced considerable challenges because of COVID-19. The help that they receive has enabled them to cope better with the pressures of balancing work, academic study and home life. As a result, the vast majority make good progress.

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Apprentices receive effective teaching from vocationally qualified and experienced assessors. Assessors employ useful and appropriate techniques skilfully in order to teach key concepts. Consequently, apprentices learn swiftly and remember what they have learned. For example, assessors of early years educator apprentices use a practical exercise to teach apprentices how young children develop their motor skills. Apprentices lead a series of play sessions with children of different ages, and so experience at first hand the different stages of development highly effectively.

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The majority of apprentices receive teaching which is effective in helping them improve their written English. Apprentices’ written work is of at least the standard expected of them. Assessors give constructive feedback, which enables apprentices to understand clearly how they can improve their writing further.

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Digital marketer apprentices extend their mathematical skills effectively. They do this through carrying out coding and search engine optimisation using statistics on topics such as likes, interactions and click rates. They then analyse the data from these activities, produce reports and discuss the results with their line managers. However, a few apprentices who need to improve their mathematical skills and achieve a mathematics qualification at level 2 do not receive sufficient training to do so.

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Apprentices meet regularly and very productively with their assessors and employers to review the progress they are making. Assessors provide constructive feedback on written work, practice assessments, observations of work, and they highlight areas for improvement. These meetings are highly effective in enabling apprentices to reflect on their practice. For example, adult care apprentices discuss how they can best use their new knowledge to help their clients.

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LPCo prepares apprentices well for their next stages in work or study. They consistently benefit from valuable discussions with their assessors and their employers about the wider career opportunities within their sector and in higher education.

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A minority of learners cannot explain what is meant by democracy, the rule of law or radicalisation. The training they receive from assessors on topics concerning fundamental British values is not sufficiently effective. As a result, not enough of them are able to recall their learning.

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Leaders and managers provide good oversight of the work of subcontractors and partners. They know the strengths and weaknesses of the apprenticeships well. However, governors do not provide leaders with sufficient support or challenge concerning the quality of apprentices’ education. Limited, 22 to 24 June 2022

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Learners feel safe and know who to contact if they have a concern.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have implemented appropriate policies and procedures that staff use effectively in order to safeguard learners. All staff are trained in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty, and use this knowledge to inform their training of apprentices effectively. The designated safeguarding lead is experienced and has received appropriate training to carry out the role. Leaders complete appropriate checks when appointing new staff, to ensure their suitability to work with apprentices.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders and managers should ensure that apprentices who need to improve their mathematical skills and achieve a level 2 mathematics qualification receive the training they need.  Leaders and managers should ensure that the teaching apprentices receive enables them to remember what they have learned about fundamental British values.  Governors should ensure they provide suitable support and challenge to leaders on the quality of education. Limited, 22 to 24 June 2022

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Provider details

Address 5–6 Station Road Redruth Cornwall TR15 2AB

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 12 to 15 January 2016

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Flying Start Nurseries Integer Training Limited Digital Peninsula Network Limited Limited, 22 to 24 June 2022

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the quality manager, 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

Roger Pilgrim, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector Dr Agathine-Louise Ofsted Inspector Sara Hunter Ofsted Inspector Limited, 22 to 24 June 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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