The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited

The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Jonny Wright, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: FAR Training Tower House Askham Fields Lane Askham Bryan York YO23 3NU Monitoring visit: The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited, 30 and 31 August 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

The Fernandes and Rosario Consultancy Limited began to deliver apprenticeships in 2021. At the time of the monitoring visit, 13 apprentices were on standards-based programmes. Three were on a level 2 accounts and finance assistant apprenticeship, seven were on a level 3 assistant accountant apprenticeship and three were on a level 4 professional accountant technician apprenticeship. The provider works with apprentices in York and across North Yorkshire.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear vision to use their wealth of experience in the accountancy sector to provide apprenticeships for small businesses and to support apprentices from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the sector. Leaders target the recruitment of apprentices from specific backgrounds, such as female returners to work, young people and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders employ staff with significant experience in the accountancy sector and appropriate teaching experience. Staff have been involved in the development of apprenticeship standards in accountancy and act as end-point assessors for awarding bodies. They keep their knowledge and skills up to date through frequent training, including with accountancy governing bodies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the programmes that they provide meet the requirements for an apprenticeship. They identify apprentices’ starting points accurately to establish that apprentices can develop substantial new knowledge and skills and are suitable for an apprenticeship. All apprentices have a commitment statement in place that is agreed with their employer, provides details for on-and off-the-job training and is signed by all parties. Monitoring visit: The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited, 30 and 31 August 2022 Leaders have put in place appropriate quality assurance processes that enable them to evaluate the quality of apprenticeships and to take action to make improvements. However, they rightly recognise that as they increase the number of apprentices that they recruit, these processes need to develop further to ensure that future apprentices benefit from the quality of training that those currently on programme

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established appropriate arrangements for the provision of functional English and mathematics support for apprentices. They have an arrangement in place with a local provider for examinations, and have successfully coached on a one-to-one basis the very few apprentices needing to gain qualifications. However, as the number of apprentices requiring support increases as programmes grow, leaders rightly recognise they need to establish formal arrangements for English and mathematics teaching to meet apprentices needs effectively.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors work closely with employers to provide personalised programmes that enable apprentices to develop the knowledge and skills that they need in the workplace. Apprentices develop skills on aspects such as completing customers’ final accounts and tax returns. They use a range of accounting software confidently.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from effective teaching, both face-to-face and online. Tutors spend time ensuring that apprentices understand the basics of accounting before moving on to more complex tasks. Apprentices apply their new knowledge and skills effectively in the workplace. They develop a deeper understanding of the financial sector and an increased awareness of their own personal and professional behaviours, such as those relating to ethical standards in accountancy.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors use a range of assessment methods effectively in order to check the progress of apprentices. They undertake observations of apprentices at work, observe professional discussions and set apprentices written assignments. Tutors provide apprentices with helpful feedback that apprentices use to improve their work. When apprentices take end-of-unit examinations, they achieve well, often gaining high grades.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors successfully challenge apprentices to take ownership of their learning. They set apprentices additional work to complete at the end of each weekly session. Tutors assess apprentices’ work at the start of the next session and question them extensively about their work to ensure that they fully understand their new knowledge. Monitoring visit: The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited, 30 and 31 August 2022 Apprentices have high attendance at weekly training sessions. Tutors provide helpful support such as extra training sessions for apprentices to help them to catch up on the rare occasions when they are absent.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors prepare apprentices well for their end-point assessment. They provide helpful information on the elements of the assessment and support apprentices to improve skills such as effective presentation and professional communication.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide helpful careers advice to apprentices about their potential next steps. They spend time with apprentices explaining the variety of financial roles and how apprentices can apply for professional body membership and how they can become self-employed.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place appropriate policies and procedures that they use to keep apprentices safe. Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) are appropriately experienced and qualified. However, DSLs recognise the need to seek more advice and information to keep up to date with local and national risks.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure staff are suitable to work with apprentices. They carry out appropriate background checks and seek references from most recent employers. Staff undertake appropriate training in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide apprentices with helpful information on how to stay safe, both at work and in the areas that they live. They frequently explore topics with apprentices linked to the accountancy sector, such as fraud and money laundering.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe and supported. Tutors take time to check on the welfare of apprentices at the start of each session. They ask about apprentices’ workload and provide helpful tips on time management with the aim to reduce stress. Monitoring visit: The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited, 30 and 31 August 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 and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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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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