Training Works 4 U Ltd

Training Works 4 U Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Karen Anderson, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address: Upper Floor Unit 14 Jessops Riverside 800 Brightside Lane Sheffield S9 2RX Monitoring visit: Training Works 4 U, 9 and 10 August 2023

p.1

Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Training Works 4 U is an independent learning provider based in Sheffield, offering remote adult learning programmes across the north east and north west regions. At the time of the visit, a cohort of 185 learners studying level 3 health and social care qualifications had very recently completed and a new cohort was being recruited. The provider is funded by Tees Valley Combined Authority.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear intent for their provision to contribute to upskilling the health and social care workforce. This is to enhance the expertise within this sector and meet the requirements of bodies such as the Care Quality Commission. The aim is for learners to gain additional responsibilities in their roles, using their new specialist knowledge.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders work well with employers to develop provision that meets training needs in the care sector. Employers value the short-length courses and benefit from the flexibility of the training offered by the provider.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders are mindful of staff well-being. Skills development coaches enjoy working at the provider and do not experience bullying or harassment in the workplace.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have implemented a range of suitable quality assurance procedures which ensure that the work of skills development coaches meets their expected standards. These include six-monthly formal observations of teaching, frequent sampling of session recordings and reviews of learners’ work. Leaders and managers identify underperformance quickly and put support in place to improve practice. However, their processes do not consistently lead to skills development coaches knowing how to improve further their teaching skills and access appropriate development opportunities, including opportunities to enhance their practice of teaching online. Monitoring visit: Training Works 4 U, 9 and 10 August 2023 Leaders and managers have a clear understanding of their strategic purpose and where their strengths lie, and these underpin their choices of commissioned work. They also understand the weaknesses of their provision, although, due to the focus

p.2

Reasonable progress

on compliance, they have not been fully aware of how the quality of education can improve further. Leaders recognise this as an area for development.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Skills development coaches are qualified and experienced in the field of health and social care. They keep their subject knowledge up to date through frequent training, sector practice and their own research of current issues. Learners benefit from training provided by knowledgeable and informed coaches.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Most learners have little prior experience with the specialist topics that they study, such as autism and end-of-life care. Leaders have implemented careful enrolment procedures to ensure that learners are suitable for their programmes, and they provide guidance to other training where appropriate. The few learners who have some prior experience appreciate the refresher on these aspects of the programme, such as strategies to help service users who take longer to process information.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Skills development coaches teach the content of each module in a programme and then support learners to complete workbooks. Learners have helpful ‘visits’ at least every 10 working days, often remotely. In most instances, skills development coaches enable learners to demonstrate how they apply their learning in their own settings. Learners gain specialist knowledge as a result of the training and grow in confidence.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Skills development coaches provide appropriate support for learners who have additional needs and barriers to learning. For example, they offer alternative methods of assessment such as digital voice recording for those who have physical difficulty with writing. At the beginning of their programmes, learners are assessed for their understanding of English and mathematics, and skills development coaches provide effective support for learners, such as helping them to improve the accurate use of grammar in their writing.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Learners enjoy their programmes and value the new knowledge that they acquire, which is relevant to their job roles and workplaces. The vast majority of learners complete their programmes and all who do achieve their qualifications. Monitoring visit: Training Works 4 U, 9 and 10 August 2023

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders are developing a culture of safeguarding. They implement suitable policies and are taking reasonable steps to meet the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty. They have appropriate processes for identifying vulnerabilities and barriers to learning, allowing them to put suitable support in place.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders and staff complete useful training in safeguarding, including on pertinent topics for adult learners and for the communities that they serve such as county lines, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Leaders provide staff with useful quarterly updates that cover topics such as radicalisation, cyberbullying and healthy relationships.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Skills development coaches check learners’ well-being and safety in reviews and signpost to external support effectively. They provide learners with useful and relevant training in safeguarding topics at the start and during their programmes. Learners develop an understanding of safeguarding for themselves and those around them. Monitoring visit: Training Works 4 U, 9 and 10 August 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

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