Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited

Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited Reinspection monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector:

Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection dates: 14 and 15 June 2023

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Address:

4 th Floor Duckworth House Lancastrian Office Centre Talbot Road Stretford Manchester M32 0FP Monitoring visit: Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited, 14 and 15 June 2023

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Context and focus of visit

This is the first reinspection monitoring visit to Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited following publication of the inspection report on 22 March 2023 which found the provider to be inadequate overall.

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Context and focus of visit

Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited (STEGTA) is an independent learning provider that provides training to apprentices across the country. STEGTA provides apprenticeships from levels 2 to 4. Almost all apprentices study engineering and manufacturing or construction apprenticeships.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the re-inspection monitoring visit, there were 318 apprentices in learning, 169 of which were 16- to 18-year-olds. Almost all apprentices follow standards-based apprenticeships. The largest numbers study the level 2 engineering operative, level 3 civil engineering technician, level 3 engineering fitter or level 3 maintenance and operations engineering technician apprenticeship. The remaining apprentices follow a range of apprenticeships, including building services engineering technician, engineering design and draughtsperson, engineering technician, railway engineering design technician, and science manufacturing technician at level 3, and engineering manufacturing technician and information manager at level 4. STEGTA works with 16 subcontractors that teach either mandatory or employer-requested qualifications on most apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders and managers have reviewed and updated safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they include relevant updates. Policies and procedures now reflect many of the current topics and challenges related to safeguarding. Leaders and managers urgently conducted a wholescale review of safeguarding following the previous inspection. They appointed two additional safeguarding officers who received intensive and specific training for the role. The safeguarding team are now appropriately trained and qualified for their roles. The experienced designated safeguarding lead and deputy designated safeguarding lead formally Monitoring visit: Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited, 14 and 15 June 2023 meet, at least fortnightly, with safeguarding officers to review cases and provide support and assistance to safeguarding officers and staff where needed.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have worked swiftly to ensure that board members receive sufficient training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. For example, board members have benefited from training in safeguarding in education, extremism, Prevent and in the changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education for September 2023 implementation. Board members rightly recognise that previously they did not challenge leaders and managers stringently enough about the processes and procedures for safeguarding and safeguarding referrals received by the safeguarding team. Board members now work closely with leaders and managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the electronic safeguarding notification and recording system such as referrals to external organisations, follow up actions and ensuring that records are maintained appropriately. Leaders and managers have recently appointed a new board member who has extensive experience and expertise in safeguarding as the designated safeguarding

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Reasonable progress

lead for apprentices in a large employer provider.

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Reasonable progress

Staff benefit from comprehensive safeguarding and Prevent training in topics such as county lines, gangs and child exploitation, suicidal ideation, understanding pathways to extremism, abuse by a person in a professional role and substance misuse. They have a good understanding of safeguarding topics and are confident in identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns and using the electronic safeguarding reporting system swiftly and efficiently.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have updated their resources in relation to safeguarding, radicalisation, extremism, and fundamental British values. They display information prominently in their training centre. For example, the contact details for the safeguarding team and quick response (QR) codes for apprentices to access a wide range of resources to develop their understanding of safeguarding and the threats of radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited, 14 and 15 June 2023 Apprentices have a clear understanding of safeguarding. They know who the safeguarding team are. They know how to and who to report any safeguarding concerns they may have about themselves or others. For instance, concerns related to bullying at work. Training officers routinely discuss a range of safeguarding issues with apprentices. For instance, misogyny, the involuntary celibate (Incels), sex trafficking and right-

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Reasonable progress

wing organisations. Apprentices have a basic knowledge of the threats of extremism and radicalisation.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have increased the size and capacity of the quality team. They have designed and implemented a clear and comprehensive quality improvement plan, which they monitor at fortnightly meetings. The actions of staff and the monitoring of improvements in the quality improvement plan are already having a beneficial impact on the quality of training and the strengthening of safeguarding arrangements.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have developed a useful quality assurance policy and an accompanying quality assurance calendar, which now includes, for example the redesigned lesson observation process and capturing the views of apprentices. However, this is yet to be fully implemented.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken decisive action to reduce the number of subcontractor partners they work with. This allows them to monitor subcontractors’ performance more closely, and more rapidly resolve any emerging concerns. They have assigned a board member to oversee subcontracted provision and the quality of education to ensure that governors are updated promptly on emerging weaknesses in subcontracted training.

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Reasonable progress

Managers in subcontracted provision report positive relationships with STEGTA staff. They appreciate the quarterly monitoring meetings to review the progress of apprentices and the quality of education and training. This gives STEGTA managers a thorough overview of the subcontracted provision.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have begun to influence the content of the curriculums that subcontractors provide more effectively. For example, the curriculums are adapted to meet the needs of specific engineering employers and apprentices. Staff will represent STEGTA imminently at employer curriculum boards at two subcontracted colleges, so that they can further influence curriculum design. Monitoring visit: Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited, 14 and 15 June 2023 Managers, in subcontracted provision, report that since the previous inspection quality processes have improved and are now more stringent. They identify a positive cultural change in the organisation. They report that STEGTA staff know their apprentices well and that they are fully invested in apprentices’ learning and progress.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have implemented weekly staff training meetings to create a consistent approach to apprentices’ training and development, including careers information, advice and guidance. These recorded meetings are mandatory for all staff to attend. If staff cannot attend, they must watch the recording. However, leaders do not measure the impact of these meetings. Managers and staff have produced a wide range of resources to ensure that apprentices can make informed choices about their next steps. These cover information on career pathways, professional registrations, and the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS). Leaders and managers have not yet assured themselves of the quality of the resources. Consequently, the resources have yet to be implemented. Most apprentices know what their next steps are once they complete their apprenticeships. Most want to hone their skills at work before making further

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Reasonable progress

decisions. A few apprentices aspire to study at university, complete a qualification at a higher level or gain promotion at work. They discuss their plans with their training officers and employers. However, the organisation wide approach to providing unbiased careers, information advice and guidance has yet to be introduced. Monitoring visit: Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association Limited, 14 and 15 June 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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