Big Ambitions CIC

Big Ambitions CIC Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Karen Anderson, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 10 and 11 January 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Blades Business Hub John Street Sheffield S2 4QX Monitoring visit: Big Ambitions CIC, 10 and 11 January 2023

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Big Ambitions CIC has been providing employment-support programmes for adults since 2010. In 2021, it began to offer a programme of one-to-one support for adults, particularly those with mental health difficulties, to help them to move towards and into sustained employment. The programme is funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 61 customers on the programme, based in Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear purpose for their one-to-one adult provision. They support adults who want to work but have barriers to entering employment, including serious mental health issues and substance abuse. Many customers are or have been long- term unemployed, and are referred to the provider by third parties, such as Jobcentre Plus and NHS Counselling Services. Customers benefit from tailored, individual support to meet their specific needs and to help them work towards and achieve their personal and career goals.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work well with a wide range of other providers and agencies in the areas they serve. They take part in networking events and attend frequent meetings to understand better the role of other relevant organisations in the region and build relationships with them. Customers are signposted quickly and appropriately to other local providers that can provide the range of support and training they need.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit customers with integrity, ensuring that those who join the programme will benefit from the services available. In instances when customers have barriers that may prevent them being successful on the programme at this time, such as anger management, leaders refer these customers to other local services in specialised areas, with the option for them to join the programme later. Monitoring visit: Big Ambitions CIC, 10 and 11 January 2023 Leaders ensure that key workers are suitably trained and experienced for their role. They provide key workers with helpful development opportunities, including training on autism and how to challenge with sensitivity customers who have unrealistic aspirations. Key workers become more knowledgeable and confident to use a variety of approaches with their customers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a realistic understanding of strengths and weaknesses of their provision. They have successfully implemented improvements to the consistency of processes carried out by key workers and record keeping. They are planning and implementing further actions to improve the quality of provision, including in relation to quality assurance procedures and staff training. However, it is too soon to see the impact of these actions.

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Reasonable progress

Key workers structure the curriculum carefully to focus on each customer’s ambitions and career goals. They work closely with customers to find jobs that fit their individual aspirations, ensure that customers’ goals are achievable, and provide relevant careers advice. Customers benefit from a bespoke service that supports them to work towards or into targeted and sustained employment.

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Reasonable progress

Key workers provide helpful and supportive one-to-one sessions. They offer useful advice and assistance for customers applying for job roles, including advising on job applications, CVs and covering letters. They share information about relevant job opportunities, education and training, such as skills bootcamps. Customers grow in confidence and make improvements to their daily lives. They develop skills and behaviours for the workplace and progress towards or into employment, education, training or volunteering.

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Reasonable progress

Key workers develop very effective relationships with their customers and support them in meeting their personal and career goals. Customers feel valued, listened to and respected by their key workers. Where customers suffer from significant anxiety, the relationship with their key worker has often been the driving force for them to come out of their homes. Customers are motivated to attend face-to-face sessions, have open and honest conversations about their goals, and attempt the agreed actions to confront the challenges in their lives.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented appropriate procedures for monitoring progress, including monthly reviews with key workers, where they discuss their customers in depth. Key workers share good practice and ideas of how to approach customers with particular issues, which has resulted in better support for customers. Monitoring visit: Big Ambitions CIC, 10 and 11 January 2023 Key workers produce meticulous records of their contact with customers, including their discussions and any referrals to other agencies for further support. However, they do not clearly record the actions to be taken. As a result, the progress made between each session for individual customers is not clear.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken effective steps to ensure that their customers are safe. Safeguarding leads are appropriately trained and understand the importance of safeguarding. Leaders have comprehensive and suitable policies in place for safeguarding, staff recruitment and ‘Prevent’ duty, with clear reporting procedures. However, they have only recently begun to assess risks specifically related to radicalisation and extremism.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders understand the risks that their customers most frequently encounter, including those more likely due to vulnerability. These include suicidal thoughts, financial difficulties, housing issues, family concerns and domestic violence. Key workers undertake suitable training and build positive, trusting relationships with their customers. Customers benefit from key workers who are informed and vigilant and who take swift action when concerns are identified, including involvement with external agencies. Monitoring visit: Big Ambitions CIC, 10 and 11 January 2023 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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