Simian Risk Management Limited

Simian Risk Management Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Suzanne Horner, His Majesty's Inspector

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Inspection date(s): 26 and 27 October 2022

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Wallis House Kelvin Street Warrington WA3 6FW Monitoring visit: Simian Risk Management Limited, 26 and 27 October 2022

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Context and focus of visit

Simian Risk Management Limited was inspected in January 2022. 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 the monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in rectifying the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

Simian Risk Management Limited (SIMIAN) is an independent learning provider specialising in training apprentices in scaffolding and roofing for the construction industry. SIMIAN provides off-the-job training from two training centres located in Warrington, Cheshire, and Waltham Forest, London. Apprentices attend off-the-job training for either one- or two-week training blocks throughout their programme. At the time of the visit, there were 249 apprentices in learning. There were 195 apprentices on the level 2 scaffolder and 54 on the level 2 roofer apprenticeship standards.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have improved the coordination of on- and off-the-job training. Skills coaches and employers ensure that apprentices are able to swiftly practise and hone the skills they learn in the training centres at work. This results in apprentices making improved progress on the development of their skills. For example, apprentices have the opportunity to work under supervision on loading bays and gantries to help with the erection of beams.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place effective plans for the delivery of a well-planned English and mathematics functional skills curriculum. Functional skills tutors use information from apprentices’ baseline assessments to plan the curriculum. All apprentices receive English and mathematics tuition from the beginning of their apprenticeship when attending their block training sessions. They apply their knowledge well when carrying out tasks at work, such as calculating angles and measurements. Apprentices are supported by staff to prepare for their examinations, such as completing mock examinations and revision sessions. Apprentices make good progress with their English and mathematics and pass their examinations on time. Monitoring visit: Simian Risk Management Limited, 26 and 27 October 2022 Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills as a direct result of their apprenticeship. Level 2 scaffolder apprentices learn how to use fittings to accurately

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Reasonable progress

connect scaffolding to a fixed position, and level 2 roofers learn to work with different roofing materials, such as liquid roof membranes and felt to waterproof a building. They practise these skills on site and become more efficient at work.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills beyond their vocational training. They receive training on drone surveys and working at heights through the use of virtual technology. This prepares apprentices well for new technologies that are used in the roofing and scaffolding industries.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders, managers and staff have improved the professional behaviour of apprentices. They challenge apprentices at work and at the training centre when their behaviour falls below the expected standard. Apprentices demonstrate respect and professionalism for their peers and instructors when in the classroom and attending practical sessions. They recognise the importance of professional behaviours when working on customers’ homes.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers support the professional development of staff. Staff complete teaching and assessing programmes to enhance their teaching and training practice. All staff complete their functional skills in English and mathematics. Tutors are now more confident to provide feedback to apprentices on their spelling, punctuation and grammar. This helps apprentices to make improvements to their written work over time. In a few instances, grammar errors are not identified by instructors, and in a small number of cases, instructors spell words incorrectly. Leaders and managers still need to strengthen their plans to improve the teaching skills of staff beyond the development of English and mathematics. Apprentices receive regular feedback on their work. They understand what they have done well and what they need to do to improve. Instructors provide re-cap tests and mock examinations for apprentices to help them to recall previous learning. This

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Reasonable progress

results in apprentices being well prepared for their final assessments and making swift progress towards the completion of their apprenticeship. Skills coaches participate in training to complete effective progress reviews for apprentices. The quality of progress reviews has improved. However, further development is required to ensure there is a clear focus on the progress that apprentices make towards the development of their knowledge, skills and behaviours. Monitoring visit: Simian Risk Management Limited, 26 and 27 October 2022 Instructors and skills coaches do not routinely check apprentices’ written knowledge and understanding of roofing and scaffolding. Apprentices complete on-site workbooks that assess their previous learning. However, apprentices do not routinely bring their workbooks to progress reviews and training sessions to enable them to be checked.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have made reasonable progress in improving the effectiveness of new quality assurance processes. They have implemented new quality processes such as the observation of teaching and learning, and checking apprentices’ work. Staff are provided with developmental feedback to improve their teaching skills, such as questioning techniques, classroom behaviour and session structure.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently realigned managers’ responsibilities to assure the quality of education and training for apprentices. They monitor the quality of apprentices’ reviews, written feedback and target setting. While improvements have been made, it is too soon to see the full impact of these changes.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders now provide board members with monthly, high-quality, detailed reports. Board members meet regularly to monitor the improvements put in place by managers. For example, they receive useful information on staff performance and training, apprentices’ progress, and curriculum development. Board members use this information to monitor the progress of apprentices and to provide effective challenge to leaders and managers on the pace of improvement for the quality of education and training that apprentices receive.

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and guidance so that they know what they need

to do to be successful in their careers .

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progress

Apprentices feel safe. They know how and to whom they should report concerns. Apprentices are aware of local risks to the sites in which they work, such as knife Monitoring visit: Simian Risk Management Limited, 26 and 27 October 2022 crime and heightened risks of radicalisation. Designated safeguarding leads work with local ‘Prevent’ coordinators to identify the local risks in the Warrington and London areas, which they share with apprentices and their employers. Apprentices receive useful careers advice and guidance at the start of their apprenticeship. Skills coaches and employers provide information to apprentices about further opportunities in roofing and scaffolding, such as progressing to working on rigs and supervisor roles. Apprentices are supported by skills coaches for their next steps, such as developing their CV. Apprentices in the London training centre attend careers fairs with employers. Managers have recently reviewed the

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progress

careers provision for apprentices attending the Warrington training centre. They have contacted local careers organisations to provide additional careers advice and guidance to apprentices. However, it is too soon to see the impact of these changes. Monitoring visit: Simian Risk Management Limited, 26 and 27 October 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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