Public Relations Communications Association Limited

Public Relations Communications Association Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Joanna Walters, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 13 and 14 September 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 7 Stratford Place London W1C 1AY Monitoring visit: Public Relations Communications Association Limited, 13 – 14 September 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

Public Relations Communication Association (PRCA) is an independent learning provider based in London. PRCA is a public relations (PR) and communications industry membership body. PRCA gained its contract to teach the level 4 public relations assistant standard-based apprenticeship in September 2022.

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Context and focus of visit

As part of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices study the level 4 diploma in public relations qualification. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 24 adult apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear vision to equip apprentices with the professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to have successful careers within public relations. They have carefully considered how to implement the apprenticeship. They used their knowledge gained from previous work with a subcontractor to make sure that they have a well-organised programme and effective systems in place to monitor the provision.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have accurate oversight of the provision. They do this through their effective use of a range of activities which includes sampling apprentices’ work, standardisation meetings, lesson observations, surveys, data analysis and monthly meetings with coaches. Leaders create purposeful plans to continue to develop the quality of training.

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Reasonable progress

The board has reasonable oversight of the apprenticeship provision. Leaders are in the process of introducing a new governance structure which will include an education advisory board. Monitoring visit: Public Relations Communications Association Limited, 13 – 14 September 2023 Leaders and managers make sure that they recruit apprentices who are suited to and will benefit from the apprenticeship. They have a comprehensive recruitment and induction process which includes formal interviews and assessment of apprentices’ prior learning and skills. As a result, apprentices are well matched to the programme, which supports them to achieve their career goals.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers provide a helpful guide for employers and line managers that provides clear information about the apprenticeship. This helps employers understand the components of the apprenticeship and the commitment required by them and their apprentices. As a result, apprentices learn and work in supportive environments where they receive their full entitlement to off-the-job training so that they can complete their studies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers make sure that the content of the apprenticeship aligns well with the work apprentices complete for their jobs. For example, apprentices select optional units based on the type of business in which they work, and on their personal career interests and aspirations.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from being taught by coaches who continue to work in the PR sector. Coaches use scenarios that they have encountered in their jobs in PR effectively to contextualise the curriculum content. For example, they use their commercial experience of digital marketing to develop apprentices’ knowledge about the different functions on social media platforms. Apprentices value the expertise their coaches have. Most apprentices enjoy their study and develop new knowledge, skills, and behaviours, such as taking an active role in meetings with new clients.

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Reasonable progress

Coaches provide helpful and developmental feedback to apprentices on their work. In their feedback on apprentices’ written work, they give information on the specific areas where apprentices need to improve and the reasons why. They provide additional sources of information to extend apprentices’ learning opportunities to help improve their work, such as articles on theories that relate to effective teamwork. As a result, apprentices know where they have made progress, and know the areas of their work they need to improve. Their work is a suitable standard.

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Reasonable progress

Coaches provide good support to the small number of apprentices who need extra help with their studies. Apprentices receive course materials in advance of lessons, copies of webinars for later review, and extra time when appropriate to complete tasks. The effective support that coaches provide helps apprentices with additional needs make progress in line with their peers. Monitoring visit: Public Relations Communications Association Limited, 13 – 14 September 2023 Coaches prepare apprentices well for their final assessments. They do this through providing additional support meetings and mock assessments. Apprentices who are close to their final assessments have a good understanding of what to expect and the support available to them.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have suitable policies, processes and risk assessments to meet their ‘Prevent’ duty, safeguarding and recruitment statutory responsibilities. The positive safeguarding culture that leaders create provides a safe learning environment.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices complete online learning modules through which they learn about safeguarding and the dangers of radicalisation. However, leaders and managers do not ensure apprentices are taught these topics early enough within their programme. This means apprentices’ knowledge on these topics varies depending on when they complete the training. Monitoring visit: Public Relations Communications Association Limited, 13 – 14 September 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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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 .

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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 .

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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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