Plums Limited

Name of lead inspector: Ann Potterton, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Masterclass Academy Unit 8 First Floor Dukes Walk Waterlooville Hampshire PO7 7HS Monitoring visit: Plums Ltd, Wednesday 19 July 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 follow-up safeguarding monitoring visit has been carried out consequent to the provider being found to be making insufficient progress with respect to safeguarding at their previous monitoring visit. It follows the arrangements outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this visit is only on the safeguarding theme below.

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Context and focus of visit

Plums Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Having formerly acted as a subcontractor for another apprenticeship provider, Plums Ltd successfully registered to provide standards-based apprenticeships in early 2022. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 23 hairdressing apprentices. Of these, 13 apprentices were studying the level 2 hairdressing professional standard and 10 apprentices were studying the level 3 advanced and creative hair standard. Ten apprentices were under 19 years old. Plums Limited does not work with any subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders now use appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures to help keep apprentices safe. They use suitable methods to record and monitor safeguarding issues when they occur. When appropriate, leaders work with local safeguarding agencies effectively to support vulnerable apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the organisation meets the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty. They work successfully with regional agencies to develop and use suitable assessments to identify and mitigate potential safeguarding risks.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders now complete appropriate checks to ensure that staff are safe to work with apprentices. For the very small number of staff who are currently awaiting their Disclosure and Barring Service checks, leaders have put in place suitable processes to ensure they are supervised when working with apprentices. Leaders ensure that staff understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding well. They support staff to complete additional qualifications such as mental health first aid, which contributes to keeping apprentices safe and well. Monitoring visit: Plums Ltd, Wednesday 19 July 2023 Staff teach apprentices how to keep themselves safe at work and online. For example, they teach them about the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. They help apprentices to keep safe when online. Staff teach apprentices about the dangers of lone working and how to respond to client disclosures properly. Consequently,

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Reasonable progress

apprentices have a secure understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe and value the close support they receive from staff. They are confident that staff will deal with any issues appropriately and effectively. Monitoring visit: Plums Ltd, Wednesday 19 July 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 and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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