ODT Training Professionals Limited

ODT Training Professionals Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Lynda Brown, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address: 3 Nelson Close Tangmere Chichester West Sussex PO20 2FW Monitoring visit: ODT Training Professionals Limited , 15 February 2023

p.1

Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy. 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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

ODT Training Professionals Limited is a small independent training provider based in Chichester, West Sussex. At the time of the New Provider Monitoring Visit there were five apprentices enrolled on apprenticeship standards. One apprentice was on a break in learning. Apprentices were studying level 3 adult care worker and level 5 leader in adult care. One apprentice was studying English and mathematics functional skills at level 2. At the time of the monitoring visit, there was one member of staff employed within the organisation who was the leader and the tutor.

p.2

Insufficient progress

The leader has carefully considered the curriculum that they offer to meet the training needs of local and regional adult care employers. They have chosen to start the provision with a small number of apprentices and to expand gradually to secure quality growth.

p.2

Insufficient progress

Although the leader has a sound understanding of the components of apprenticeships, in practice these are not applied or monitored rigorously enough. As a result, the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship are not followed. The leader has put in place commitment statements, but these are not checked thoroughly for accuracy. The leader does not ensure that completed commitment statements are signed by all parties.

p.2

Insufficient progress

The leader does not ensure that they identify swiftly and accurately those apprentices who are required to study English and mathematics. The leader has not worked sufficiently well with employers to ensure that apprentices receive the planned time away from work to complete their studies and apprenticeship-related activities. Too many apprentices are required to cover for colleagues or work Monitoring visit: ODT Training Professionals Limited , 15 February 2023 additional shifts. The leader is aware of this, but they do not take appropriate actions to rectify the issue swiftly. As a result, too many apprentices make slow progress.

p.2

Insufficient progress

The leader does not have a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They have completed an improvement plan, but they have not monitored their progress against targets or updated the plan so that it reflects the current position of the organisation. As a result, the leader’s actions to rectify weaknesses are too slow and the quality of the provision remains poor. The leader has not implemented appropriate governance arrangements to provide rigorous support and challenge.

p.3

Insufficient progress

The tutor does not assess the skills and knowledge of apprentices thoroughly at the start of their programmes. A very small proportion of apprentices have been transferred from other providers. In these instances, the tutor and employers focus on apprentices completing the qualification and do not focus sufficiently on the development of apprentices’ new knowledge and skills.

p.3

Insufficient progress

The tutor does not ensure that they receive evidence of apprentices’ qualifications in English and mathematics swiftly enough at the start of the programme. As a result, apprentices who require English and mathematics qualifications do not begin to study them early enough in their programme. The tutor assesses apprentices’ English and mathematics skills at the start of their course, but they do not use this knowledge to develop apprentices’ skills in these subjects.

p.3

Insufficient progress

The tutor does not maintain accurate records of apprentices’ work. They do not ensure that the dates work is set or submitted are accurately recorded. The tutor does not track apprentices’ completed and marked work accurately. As a result, the tutor does not have a good understanding of the progress that apprentices are making or how well they are developing new knowledge and skills. Too frequently, the tutor is not able to locate work that has been submitted.

p.3

Insufficient progress

The standard of apprentices’ work at level 5 is too low. The tutor does not support apprentices to evaluate or analyse information or ensure that they apply their work to the settings in which they are employed. The tutor does not develop apprentices’ higher-level study skills. For example, they do not ensure that apprentices use referencing appropriately in their assignments. The tutor does not provide apprentices with detailed and useful feedback on their work. As a result, apprentices do not know what they do well or what they need to do to improve. Monitoring visit: ODT Training Professionals Limited , 15 February 2023

p.3

Reasonable progress

The leader has a sufficient understanding of safeguarding requirements and keeping apprentices safe. They have a recent safeguarding qualification at an appropriate level. The leader has established a range of policies and procedures; however, these are not contextualised sufficiently well to the organisation and are not routinely reviewed.

p.4

Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead has a basic understanding of their responsibilities. However, they have not participated in relevant training to ensure that they have a full understanding of their obligations.

p.4

Reasonable progress

The leader has not put procedures in place to establish a thorough and consistent approach to the safe recruitment of staff. At the time of the visit the leader had not recruited any staff to the organisation. There were no vulnerable apprentices or any under the age of 19.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe in the organisation, they know who to report any concerns to. Apprentices have a good understanding of safeguarding from their work roles within adult care settings. Monitoring visit: ODT Training Professionals Limited , 15 February 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 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.

p.4

Reasonable 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 .

p.5

Reasonable progress

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5