The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of The Fernandes and Rosario Consulting Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

The Fernandes and Rosario Consultancy Limited is an independent learning provider with its head office in York. It provides training for apprenticeships in York and Scarborough. At the time of the inspection, there were 15 apprentices enrolled, with five on a level 2 accounts assistant programme, six on a level 3 assistant accountant programme and the remainder on a level 4 professional accounting technician programme. All apprentices were aged 19 years and over. 23 to 25 August 2023

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

Apprentices value the calm and friendly learning environment created by tutors in face-to-face and online sessions. Tutors encourage open discussion and listen to apprentices’ views and opinions, which apprentices appreciate. Apprentices feel confident to ask questions during sessions to help their understanding.

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

Apprentices benefit from the high expectations that tutors set. They know the importance of attending sessions and, in the very few instances that they cannot attend, they inform their tutor. Most apprentices are punctual to sessions. Employers comment positively on apprentices’ attendance and timekeeping at work as well as their positive attitudes, motivation and enthusiasm.

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

Apprentices have a good understanding of British values and why they are important in the workplace and their personal lives. Tutors teach them about these values in sessions and check their understanding through quizzes. They encourage apprentices to discuss cultural differences, and apprentices value what they learn from their peers. Apprentices recognise the importance of respecting people’s individual differences. Tutors support apprentices well to understand the rule of law and how this relates to the accountancy sector. For example, apprentices know that they have a duty to look out for any tax evasion.

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

Apprentices feel safe and know to whom they should report any concerns during training and in the workplace. Tutors teach apprentices about healthy relationships and check that they do not experience inappropriate behaviour from work colleagues. Apprentices learn about safeguarding topics relevant to the accountancy sector, such as money laundering, fraud and bribery.

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better?

Leaders and managers have a clear rationale for the curriculum that they provide. They are passionate about using their vast experience in the accountancy sector to provide high-quality accountancy apprenticeships to meet the needs of employers in York and Scarborough. Leaders and managers focus on recruiting apprentices who are from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and work closely with female returners to work and people from ethnic minority backgrounds to support them to enter the sector.

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better?

Leaders and managers work closely with employers to provide programmes that meet business needs. For example, when apprentices on the level 3 assistant accountant programme were transferred to the tax department at their workplace, tutors quickly provided intensive sessions on personal and business tax for these apprentices.

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better?

Leaders and managers recruit well-qualified tutors who have significant experience working in the accountancy sector. Tutors have expert knowledge of their subject area and are qualified with the Association of Accounting Technicians or the 23 to 25 August 2023

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Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. They frequently update their knowledge in the accountancy sector so that they are able to provide current information to apprentices. For example, they attend training on payroll legislation, value-added tax and Inland Revenue 35. Tutors also continue to work in the accountancy sector by preparing accounts for other organisations. However, leaders and managers rightly recognise the need to develop tutors’ teaching skills further. They are currently liaising with a local college to enable tutors to attend training days there.

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Leaders and managers have appropriate oversight of the quality of the provision. They gather feedback from apprentices and employers about the quality of the apprenticeships and have recently begun to review the quality of training that apprentices receive. Leaders and managers use the information that they gather to make improvements to the provision.

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Leaders and managers have accurate oversight of the progress of apprentices. They meet with tutors frequently to review apprentices’ progress and to agree on actions to support apprentices to catch up if any are at risk of falling behind.

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Tutors plan and deliver programmes in a logical order to enable apprentices to understand new accountancy concepts. Level 4 professional accounting technician apprentices begin with topics such as basic costings and accounts preparation and then move on to more complex topics such as VAT and personal tax. On the level 2 accounts assistant programme, apprentices begin with an introduction to bookkeeping and then progress to learning about bookkeeping control, including the double-entry system.

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Tutors use their knowledge and experience well to teach apprentices. They have a patient approach and do not rush when teaching new topics. Tutors take the time to explain new concepts and revisit course content if apprentices do not understand. They use a range of high-quality learning resources, such as presentations and videos, and allow apprentices to complete practical tasks in sessions, which help to reinforce their learning.

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Tutors use a range of assessment methods well to check understanding. They set practical tests during sessions and discuss apprentices’ answers with them. Tutors give useful feedback to apprentices to help them improve their work. For example, on the level 2 accounts assistant programme, tutors remind apprentices to record an explanation for tables and diagrams in their assignments.

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Apprentices make good progress and develop significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours. For example, level 4 professional accounting technician apprentices learn how to prepare budgets, make informed budget decisions and communicate these decisions to colleagues.

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Tutors successfully integrate English and mathematics learning into accountancy sessions to enable apprentices to develop these skills. Apprentices learn how to take accurate notes on accounting methods so that they can refer to them in the future. 23 to 25 August 2023

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Tutors support apprentices to develop a good knowledge of equations and division as they require this knowledge to understand ratio analysis and use it in their job roles.

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Tutors provide apprentices with useful careers information to help them plan their next steps. They provide clear information in the student handbook about the programmes available at different levels and discuss this information with apprentices. Apprentices complete a training plan which identifies their next steps and what they need to do to get there. However, tutors do not provide apprentices with sufficient information on wider opportunities, such as working for employers where they can gain higher salaries and have a wider range of career opportunities.

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Tutors provide apprentices with a few opportunities to engage in activities in the community and to become active citizens. For example, a few apprentices attend careers events in schools to tell pupils about their experience of being an accountancy apprentice. However, leaders and managers rightly recognise the need to do more to ensure that all apprentices understand what citizenship is and to offer more opportunities for apprentices to participate in community activities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead and designated safeguarding officers have appropriate training to be effective in their roles. Leaders and managers implement appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures to keep apprentices safe.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead works closely with external partners to receive up- to-date safeguarding information which she shares with tutors. For example, she receives a monthly bulletin from the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Board which provides current information about local risks.

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Safeguarding

Tutors support apprentices effectively to understand safeguarding, extremism and radicalisation and the potential risks that they might face at work and in the communities in which they live. Apprentices know the signs of potential extremist behaviour to look out for, such as changes in behaviour and individuals becoming more outspoken with their views.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that tutors attend training that enables them to continue to enhance their teaching skills.  Ensure that all apprentices receive careers information about wider opportunities beyond those provided by their own employer.  Ensure that all apprentices understand the importance of citizenship and have opportunities to become involved in community activities. 23 to 25 August 2023

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Provider details

Address FAR Training Tower House Askham Fields Lane Askham Bryan York YO23 3NU

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Lucy Fernandes

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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 23 to 25 August 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the managing director, 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

Jacquie Brown, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Liz Greenhalgh Ofsted Inspector 23 to 25 August 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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