RHG Consult Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Outstanding Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

RHG Consult Ltd (RHG) obtained a contract to provide apprenticeships in May 2017 and began teaching apprentices in July 2018. Apprentices are taught a range of business, management and professional courses via online learning, and students are spread throughout the country.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 254 apprentices in training, with just under half studying level 3 safety, health and environmental technician apprenticeship. Of the others, 39 study level 3 bid and proposal coordinator, 31 level 4 corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner, 23 level 4 junior management consultant and 18 level 5 operational departmental manager. A small number study other business-related courses. The overwhelming majority of apprentices are adults. 14 to 17 March 2023

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices enjoy their experience with RHG. They are treated as professionals and are respected and valued by their learning coaches. They find their courses demanding yet inspiring and describe their apprenticeship as a positive experience.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices are satisfied with the online training and wider curriculum that they receive. They quickly learn new knowledge, skills and behaviours that benefit them and their employer.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learning coaches create calm and inclusive learning environments. Apprentices are supported well and have very positive relationships with their learning coaches. They value the support they receive and make good progress.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

The wider curriculum is taught through the GROW academy which offers a broad range of lessons that promote well-being, careers and work skills. This supports apprentices to develop themselves as responsible, respectful and valued employees.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices benefit from opportunities to contribute to local and national events. For example, involvement in writing bids to support homeless shelters or planting trees to offset carbon footprint.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel safe. They know whom to go to if they have concerns about their safety or well-being. They are confident that learning coaches and employers will take appropriate action if they raise a concern.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learning coaches prepare apprentices well for their next steps. The vast majority of apprentices stay within their company in their current role or gain promotion. A small number move on to relevant higher-level courses to further build their skills.

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better?

Leaders and managers carefully select courses that meet local, regional and national needs. For example, the corporate responsibility and sustainability apprenticeship meets the skills needs of the green agenda.

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better?

The curriculum is effectively planned in consultation with employers. Apprentices receive sufficient, well-planned, off-the-job training and high levels of support from their learning coaches and line managers. They benefit from relevant workplace learning opportunities. For example, health, safety and environmental technician apprentices learn how to complete workplace risk assessments. They are able to identify hazards, assess them and ascertain how to control the risks.

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better?

The curriculum is ambitious, with apprentices undertaking valuable additional professional qualifications and/or memberships. Examples include the Institute of Leadership and Management and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. 14 to 17 March 2023

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These are valued by apprentices as it enhances their status within their organisations.

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Learning coaches provide effective support for apprentices who have special educational needs. They make suitable adjustments such as showing them how to change the background colour when looking at online learning materials, extra time, a reader in exams and additional one-to-one lessons. These adjustments support apprentices to stay on the course and make good progress.

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Learning coaches are experienced teachers with relevant qualifications and a wealth of sector experience. They use this knowledge well to provide examples of workplace practice. For example, learning coaches for the bid and proposal coordinator apprenticeship have relevant backgrounds in sales and commercial sectors. Subject relevance is maintained through networking with colleagues and independent study.

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Learning coaches use a wide range of teaching approaches to enable apprentices to gain an understanding of key concepts. They make effective use of a range of online teaching activities, including live webinars, group discussions, one-to-one support and interactive quizzes. Junior manager consultant apprentices benefit from learning about key critical assessment tools such as PESTLE (Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal and Environment) or Porter’s five forces. Apprentices make effective use of these tools to evaluate the impact of competition and what the organisation needs to do to stay ahead.

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Learning coaches use assessment well to check understanding and tackle misconceptions. They hold frequent review meetings to ensure apprentices receive detailed, supportive feedback. Apprentices are well prepared for their final assessment. In the vast majority of cases, they use initial assessment well to inform teaching and assessment. In a small number of cases, the outcome of these assessments is not used to adjust apprentices’ learning plans effectively.

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Standard of work across all apprenticeships is high, work is detailed and well- presented. Apprentices become more knowledgeable, confident and skilled. For example, junior management consultant apprentices produce work to a high and professional standard and become more proficient in using project planning tools.

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Apprentices successfully complete their apprenticeship, with a large majority achieving high grades. The small number of learners who require functional skills pass their exams in a timely manner.

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Leaders, managers and learning coaches have high expectations for their apprentices, including clear rules for online lessons. Apprentices are aware of these and adhere to the requirements for camera use, suitable dress and being ready to learn. 14 to 17 March 2023

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Learning coaches have a close focus on attendance, and apprentices attend well. They track attendance at workshops and address any issues in weekly progress meetings. Staff promote British values well during apprentices’ induction and then reinforce this during progress reviews. In most cases, apprentices can relate British values to their lives and work. However, a small number of apprentices are not able to identify how British values influence their lives.

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The vast majority of apprentices are well informed about future careers through the GROW academy which covers interviews, curriculum vitae writing and employability skills, along with ‘Next Steps’ workshops. This enables them to make sensible decisions about their career choices. A small number of apprentices do not receive this broader careers advice, which means that they are not aware of career opportunities beyond their employer’s business.

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Leaders and managers create a very strong, positive culture where everyone is committed to offering high-quality training. They invest heavily in staff training, and this benefits staff and enhances the apprentices’ experience. Learning coaches rightly feel valued and well-supported.

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Leaders and managers implement very rigorous and effective quality assurance processes. These include performance management, evaluation of the quality of teaching and learning and a very thorough and collaborative appraisal process.

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Leaders invest extensively to ensure the well-being of staff. They carefully consider staff workload through effective caseload management and weekly catch-ups with their line managers. Leaders recognise the importance of effective communication particularly as all staff work remotely.

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The recently formed board of governors have suitable experience to support and challenge leaders and managers. They are knowledgeable about RHG and understand the strengths and areas for development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers have suitable safeguarding and safer recruitment policies and practices in place. The designated safeguarding lead, deputies and staff are appropriately trained. They identify and share with apprentices risks in their local area.

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Safeguarding

Apprentices receive suitable training on safeguarding, ‘Prevent’ duty and equality and diversity. They can access a range of useful information and guidance to help them keep safe in their learning, at work and in life.

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Safeguarding

Where safeguarding issues are raised, these are recorded in a timely manner and appropriate support is put in place. 14 to 17 March 2023

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Managers should ensure all apprentices benefit from the effective use of initial assessments to help inform and adjust apprentices’ learning plans.  Managers should ensure all apprentices benefit from broader careers guidance, so they are aware of the full range of careers available to them in the future. 14 to 17 March 2023

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Provider details

Address Harborough Innovation Centre Airfield Business Park Market Harborough LE16 7WB

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Lee Patterson

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 14 to 17 March 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the head of operations, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Angela Twelvetree, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Kevin Dowson Ofsted Inspector Ralph Brompton Ofsted Inspector Vicki Locke His Majesty’s Inspector Susan Gay Ofsted Inspector Alison Loxton Ofsted Inspector 14 to 17 March 2023

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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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