OCS Integrated Solutions Limited

Atalian Servest Integrated Solutions Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Emma Woods, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Vicon House Western Way Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 3SP Monitoring visit: Atalian Servest Integrated Solutions Limited, 23 and 24 May 2023

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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.

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Context and focus of visit

A monitoring visit was undertaken in the place of a full inspection on account of the low number of apprentices on programme at the time.

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Context and focus of visit

Atalian Servest Integrated Solutions (ASIS) Limited had a monitoring visit in April 2022. ASIS is a multinational facilities management company that provides clients with a wide range of site-based support services. ASIS went onto the register of apprenticeship training providers in January 2020. At the time of the visit, there were fewer than five apprentices. All apprentices study a standards-based apprenticeship in team leader/supervisor at level 3. Apprentices are located at client sites across England, with most concentrated in the Midlands and London regions.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for the apprenticeships they offer. They select appropriate courses for internal staff to develop and help to retain them. For example, leaders prioritise level 3 team leader supervisor apprenticeships as they have several inexperienced managers in the organisation.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship are met. They recruit apprentices to appropriate courses and take time to involve line managers in planning apprentices’ studies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders carefully monitor apprentices’ entitlement to off-the-job training time. There are clear escalation processes involving governors if leaders identify that an apprentice is not receiving this time. In the very few instances that apprentices do not get enough time, leaders act swiftly to resolve these issues.

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Reasonable progress

Managers frequently conduct detailed reviews of apprentices’ progress and discuss any necessary actions with skills coaches. Where apprentices struggle with aspects of Monitoring visit: Atalian Servest Integrated Solutions Limited, 23 and 24 May 2023 their course, or are affected by challenges in their personal lives, staff support them appropriately.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders set out a clear quality framework that includes an evaluative self-assessment report and suitable improvement plans. Leaders identify relevant actions for improvement using data, lesson observations and quality checks. However, given the small number of apprentices and skills coaches, some actions and processes are yet to be fully implemented or tested. Therefore, inspectors could not yet judge the full impact of leaders’ plans.

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Reasonable progress

The governance board includes relevant, internal stakeholders and an external board member. Governors sensibly increased their oversight of leaders’ actions following the previous monitoring visit. They support and challenge leaders to implement changes quickly. Governors recognise the need to adapt and change their approaches as they recruit more apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices, who may have been in their roles for some time, have little formal management training. They often lack confidence because of their limited understanding of the theoretical aspects of management. As a result of their training, they develop a sound understanding of key concepts and principles around self- awareness, team-building, project management and financial control that they can apply in their workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive an appropriate amount of time at work to undertake their studies. They learn through a combination of in-person sessions with their skills coaches and their line managers, asynchronous online learning activities, self- directed research and work shadowing. Skills coaches are knowledgeable and explain topics well. Apprentices speak highly of coaches’ flexibility and enthusiasm and the level of help they receive.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and skills coaches identify the specific skills and knowledge that apprentices should develop. For example, they specify the management theories and project management tools that apprentices should know. However, they do not always think carefully enough about how the different elements of the course link together or the best order in which to teach things. For example, they do not think enough about how work shadowing complements other aspects of apprentices’ studies. While skills coaches and apprentices’ line managers discuss how they share out the teaching of topics, this is done as the need arises rather than as part of a well-considered, overall plan. Monitoring visit: Atalian Servest Integrated Solutions Limited, 23 and 24 May 2023 Apprentices produce written work that is usually of a good standard. Skills coaches prepare apprentices well for their final assessments, and most pass at the first

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Reasonable progress

attempt, with a small number gaining distinction grades.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices who need to complete functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics develop skills through a combination of online study and support from their skills coaches. This support is effective, and apprentices pass their examinations.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders set out suitable policies and procedures to safeguard their adult apprentices. Staff undertake timely and appropriate safeguarding training that is differentiated based on their role in the organisation. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy DSL undertake suitable training. Leaders follow appropriate approaches to safer recruitment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders produce a reasonable ‘Prevent’ duty action plan that identifies key risks and relevant mitigations. However, this currently does not fully reflect the diverse environments in which apprentices work and learn.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and skills coaches attend forums linked to the company’s CHROMA (creating harmony, respecting others, making allies) initiative. They learn more about topical matters and welfare and support services that they promote to apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe during their studies. They report that staff take an interest in their welfare. Apprentices say that when they experience difficulties in their personal lives, they receive sympathetic support that enables them to continue to focus on their studies. Monitoring visit: Atalian Servest Integrated Solutions Limited, 23 and 24 May 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

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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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