SR Supply Chain Consultants Ltd

SR Supply Chain Consultants Ltd Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Alison Humphreys, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection dates: 1 and 2 November 2022

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Parkside House 190–192 Wigan Road Euxton Chorley PR7 6JW Monitoring visit: SR Supply Chain Consultants Limited, 1 and 2 November 2022

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Context and focus of visit

SR Supply Chain Consultants Ltd was inspected in October 2021. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in responding to the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

SR Supply Chain Consultants Ltd provides procurement training across the country. At the time of the visit, there were 307 apprentices enrolled on apprenticeship standards. There are 250 apprentices enrolled on the level 4 commercial procurement and supply apprenticeship standard. The remaining apprentices are enrolled on the level 3 procurement and supply assistant apprenticeship standard.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders have a clear understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement. They have implemented a range of quality assurance techniques to monitor and improve the quality of education that apprentices receive. Managers use the results from these processes to put in place targeted actions for improvement. Senior leaders meet bi-monthly to review this information and carefully monitor the progress they are making. As a result, clear development plans are in place to support improvements.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, senior leaders have put in place appropriate governance arrangements. Board members have the appropriate skills and expertise to provide support and challenge on the quality of education that apprentices receive. They have experience in the further education and skills sector with specific specialisms in apprenticeship training.

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Reasonable progress

Board members receive useful reports that enable them to provide support and challenge to senior leaders. For example, they provide information on apprentices that are beyond their planned end dates and on the number of apprentices on support plans. However, board members rightly recognise that the reports they receive require further development. Reports are heavily focused on data and do not Monitoring visit: SR Supply Chain Consultants Limited, 1 and 2 November 2022 place sufficient focus on all aspects of the quality of education that apprentices receive.

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Reasonable progress

Progress mentors collect information about what apprentices already know and can do at the start of their apprenticeship. They use this information to plan an individualised curriculum with apprentices’ managers. For example, apprentices learn about budgeting in line with their budgeting cycle at work. This ensures that apprentices practise their skills swiftly in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Progress mentors effectively plan and coordinate on- and off-the-job training. They work with apprentices’ line managers to support apprentices to apply their new learning in the workplace. Level 3 apprentices learn about the types of documents used in procurement, such as purchase orders and requisitions. Following this training, they are confident to use a range of procurement documentation and complete tasks such as raising purchase orders.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders are strengthening the processes for final assessments. Most apprentices know the requirements of their final assessments. Tutors provide useful feedback that informs apprentices about what they have done well and what they need to do to improve. Apprentices increasingly improve their analytical and evaluative skills in their written work. However, apprentices are not aware, early enough in their apprenticeship, of the grades to which they are aspiring.

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Reasonable progress

Since the last inspection, leaders have altered how they provide English and mathematics training to apprentices. They have recruited progress mentors with relevant qualifications and experience in teaching English and/or mathematics in the education sector in order to provide training to apprentices. Apprentices now benefit from attending workshop sessions and completing online tasks. Apprentices who fall behind receive individual support, and progress mentors quickly put actions in place to help them catch up. However, progress mentors do not routinely set targets for apprentices to develop specific English or mathematical skills that they need to learn. As a result, a few apprentices do not make swift enough progress in their functional skills. Monitoring visit: SR Supply Chain Consultants Limited, 1 and 2 November 2022 Apprentices continue to develop their English and mathematical skills while on their

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Reasonable progress

apprenticeship. They complete assessments at the start of their apprenticeship to identify gaps in knowledge. Apprentices attend English and/or mathematics workshops to develop their skills further. Most apprentices apply their new knowledge and skills when completing tasks in the workplace. For example, they use ratios to accurately assess a company’s financial compatibility. Apprentices learn how to use commas and join complex sentences accurately when writing reports. Work produced is of a high standard and demonstrates improvement over time.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders continue to strengthen the ongoing careers information and guidance they give to apprentices. Level 4 apprentices know about roles in the public and private sectors, such as senior buying roles and procurement management. Level 3 apprentices are aware of further study options. Most apprentices aspire to progress to higher level study.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently launched a ‘learner hub’ to provide information on topics such as careers and personal development. The hub has links to a range of online sites, articles and podcasts on subjects such as leadership and procurement. Leaders have plans in place to provide online career sessions that include workshops on CV writing and interview skills. Leaders acknowledge that further development is required to ensure that all apprentices are aware of the wider opportunities available in procurement.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices complete online modules at the start of their apprenticeship on topics such as safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. They know about the dangers posed by radicalisation and extremist views and learn how to recognise signs that peers or colleagues may be at risk. However, apprentices do not fully understand the relevance of these risks in their workplace. Monitoring visit: SR Supply Chain Consultants Limited, 1 and 2 November 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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