Trade Skills4U Ltd

Trade Skills 4U Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Peter Cox, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Mitre Court Fleming Way Crawley RH10 9JY Monitoring visit: Trade Skills4U Ltd, 30 September 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 follow-up safeguarding monitoring visit has been carried out consequent to the provider being found to be making insufficient progress with respect to safeguarding at its previous monitoring visit. It follows the arrangements outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this visit is only on the safeguarding theme below.

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Context and focus of visit

Trade Skills4U Limited is a national independent learning provider specialising in electrician apprenticeship programmes. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were approximately 95 apprentices, all of whom study the level 3 installation electrician and maintenance electrician standard. Apprentices are taught on a one week per month block-release schedule, which combines in-person and remote teaching. A small number of apprentices are 16 to 18 years old.

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Context and focus of visit

In August 2022, inspectors judged the provider to be making insufficient progress in respect of meeting the requirements of successful apprenticeship provision and safeguarding.

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Context and focus of visit

This was an announced safeguarding inspection, following concerns identified during the new provider monitoring visit of the provider. The purpose of the visit was to assess whether safeguarding arrangements at the provider are effective.

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Significant progress

Leaders and the safeguarding team have taken rapid and decisive action to ensure that that all staff, irrespective of role, complete enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

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Significant progress

A very small number of staff are currently awaiting the return of these DBS checks. In these instances, leaders use very robust control measures to ensure that these staff are very closely supervised when working with apprentices. The safeguarding team completes thorough and frequent checks to ensure that these measures are followed in all training centres. The safeguarding team completes detailed checks on all new members of staff to ensure that they are safe to work with apprentices. Monitoring visit: Trade Skills4U Ltd, 30 September 2022 Leaders and managers ensure that all staff receive suitable and sector-specific training to help them keep apprentices safe. As a result, staff understand how to identify and report safeguarding concerns quickly and effectively.

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Significant progress

Staff teach apprentices how to keep safe in their job roles successfully. For example, apprentices are taught about correct health and safety regulations, as well as employment rights. Apprentices feel safe in their training and workplaces. They know how to identify risks they may face in the workplace. For example, they understand how to identify signs of modern slavery. Apprentices have a very good understanding of how to raise a concern. They are rightly confident that staff will deal with any concerns appropriately. Monitoring visit: Trade Skills4U Ltd, 30 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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Significant 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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Significant 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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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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

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