Logistica Training and Consultancy Ltd

KS Training Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Roger Pilgrim, Ofsted Inspector

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Address:

Acacia House Unit C1 Trentham Business Quarter Bellringer Road Stoke on Trent ST4 8GB Monitoring visit: KS Training Limited, 16 and 17 March 2023

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Context and focus of visit

KS Training Limited (KST) was inspected in May 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 this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in resolving the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

KST is an independent learning provider based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. KST began training apprentices on a direct contract in January 2018. KST offers apprenticeships from level 2 through to level 5 in the adult health and social care sector with 217 currently on programme.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken steps to improve their work with employers. They have recently appointed an employer engagement manager to support employers’ involvement with the review process. Employers are assigned their own account with the e- portfolio through which they can review apprentices’ progress online. Employers are being encouraged to use this resource when undertaking supervision with their care apprentices. Electronic resources have also been created to support the role of employer mentors in care settings. In addition, employer ambassador roles have been established to help share good practice among employers. Tutors have built strong relationships with employers. They use a range of strategies including inviting employers to reviews, to ensure that employers are better involved and aware of apprentices' progress through their learning. As a result, most employers understand the progress, strengths and weaknesses of their apprentices

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Reasonable progress

and can support apprentices with their development within the workplace to become more effective care workers. Despite these initiatives, not all employers take part in apprentice reviews, this is partly due to work pressures employers are experiencing within the care sector. As a result, not all employers work effectively with tutors to create opportunities for on- the-job learning alongside the development of theory. Too few employers access the Monitoring visit: KS Training Limited, 16 and 17 March 2023 e-portfolio provided to review the progress of their apprentices. Where apprentices have started more recently, or line managers have changed more recently, this has been better explained and, therefore, better managed. Most apprentices take the lead in linking together their on-and off-the-job training, rather than employers. Apprentices work with their employer and tutor to communicate which work based opportunities are required to meet the assessment

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Significant progress

Leaders have redesigned learning plans to help tutors to provide clearer feedback for both marked work and support sessions. Leaders now require tutors to discuss details about the end-point assessment and their requirements during every learning and review session. This includes the grade the apprentice is working towards, and what is required to achieve the grades that they are capable of. Tutors provide effective one-to-one coaching support for their apprentices and useful feedback, so that apprentices know what to do to improve their skills, knowledge, and behaviours. Apprentices recognise the helpful feedback given by tutors supports them to improve their work and develop their knowledge. For example, during a lesson on dispensing medication, a tutor skilfully broke down a complex question into separate parts to help the apprentice understand what was required. Leaders have introduced a system of additional assessments, to help prepare

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Significant progress

apprentices for the professional discussion required in their final assessment. Tutors arrange practise sessions to develop apprentices' confidence in professional discussions and provide mock final assessments. As a result, most apprentices are clear about the requirements for end-point-assessment and achieve well. All level 2 and level 3 apprentices have successfully completed their apprenticeship, with many achieving high grades.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have introduced several initiatives to improve the careers education, information, advice and guidance for apprentices since the previous inspection. At the beginning of the programme, tutors encourage apprentices to discuss their Monitoring visit: KS Training Limited, 16 and 17 March 2023 career goals and their reasons for undertaking the apprenticeship. Leaders ensure that tutors discuss careers advice and guidance during each apprentice's review. Career plans are also reviewed as part of the learners’ exit interview when planning short term and long-term goals. Leaders have developed electronic resources that are regularly updated with potential career routes for apprentices in the care sector. Tutors refer to this information when undertaking reviews with apprentices. Where tutors give careers guidance for apprentices with clear goals, this advice is helpful and well received and ensures that apprentices are confident in the next steps they must take to be

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Reasonable progress

successful. This guidance extends apprentices awareness of progression beyond their current employer. For example, apprentices develop an understanding of a range of roles within the sector, including district nursing and working in accident and emergency wards. However, too many apprentices do not yet use the careers resources which are available to them, therefore, not all apprentices receive the helpful impartial guidance to help them prepare for their next steps. Monitoring visit: KS Training Limited, 16 and 17 March 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

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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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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