Economic Solutions Limited (Manchester Solutions)

The Growth Company Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Alastair Mollon, Her Majesty's Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Lee House 90 Great Bridgewater Street Manchester M1 5JW Monitoring visit: The Growth Company Limited, 1 September 2022

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Context and focus of visit

This monitoring visit focused on safeguarding arrangements and was undertaken as outlined in the further education and skills handbook.

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Context and focus of visit

The Growth Company Limited (TGC) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1989. The company provides apprenticeships, adult learning programmes and education programmes for young people. Apprenticeship programmes focus on the priorities of the Greater Manchester Work and Skills Strategy and the needs of the sub-regional labour market. Adult learning programmes are primarily aimed at meeting the needs of unemployed adults and those wishing to return to study to progress to higher education. At the time of the visit, TGC had approximately 270 learners on education programmes for young people, 448 learners on adult learning programmes and 1,442 apprentices on a wide range of programmes.

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Context and focus of visit

This was an unannounced safeguarding monitoring visit following concerns that had been reported to Ofsted. The purpose of the visit was to assess how effective the safeguarding arrangements and safer recruitment at the provider are.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders complete safer recruitment checks when they recruit new staff. The human resources team complete additional checks and liaise effectively with recruiting managers to ensure they follow safe practices throughout the recruitment process. They check that the company ‘role register’ has appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and pre-employment checks in place for each new recruit. All recruiting managers receive appropriate interview training and guidance. Leaders ensure that there are appropriate numbers of staff on interview panels and checks in place to explore candidate employment history. Where appropriate, interviewers follow up on any gaps in employment to assure themselves of the staff’s background. All employment offers are subject to DBS clearance, qualifications, references and right-to-work checks that recruiters complete prior to candidates starting work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have devised a range of suitable policies and procedures that provide staff, learners and apprentices with clear guidance around safeguarding, the prevention of terrorism and safer recruitment practices used at the provider. The safeguarding panel reviews the safeguarding and associated policies regularly. It updates the policies to reflect best practice and alignment to legislative changes and national guidance. Monitoring visit: The Growth Company Limited, 1 September 2022 Leaders ensure that the safeguarding and welfare of learners and apprentices are a priority. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL), deputy DSL and safeguarding team have received the appropriate training and have the knowledge and experience to carry out their roles effectively.

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Reasonable progress

The DSL and their team benefit from regular update training on relevant topics such as self-harm and suicide awareness to enhance their knowledge around issues that affect learners and apprentices. They demonstrate a clear understanding of their responsibilities for safeguarding across the organisation.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that there are well-trained, experienced designated safeguarding officers across the education and skills team. All staff benefit from mandatory training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty during their company induction. They complete annual refresher training as part of their professional development programme. Leaders track staff’s training effectively and report any concerns around knowledge and compliance to ensure swift action where needed.

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Reasonable progress

The DSL has established a wider network of useful contacts, including the North West regional prevent coordinator and the local police, to improve their knowledge of emerging issues and localised threats, including county lines and knife crime. The company safeguarding panel provides monthly training on a range of themes, including far-right radicalisation, increased vulnerabilities and involuntary celibates, to keep staff informed of safeguarding issues and updates. Monitoring visit: The Growth Company Limited, 1 September 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

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Reasonable progress

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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Reasonable progress

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

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