Art Providers Ltd

ART Providers Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Steve Lambert, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Inspection dates: 16 and 17 November 2023

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

2 Middle Row, Ashford TN24 8SQ Monitoring visit: ART Providers Limited, 16 and 17 November 2023

p.1

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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

ART Providers, based in Ashford, Kent, started training apprentices in 2023. At the time of this monitoring visit, it had 33 apprentices, most of whom were on adult care apprenticeships at various levels. A very small number of apprentices were on business administration or funeral team leader apprenticeships. All apprentices were over the age 18 years. The provider does not work with any subcontractors.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have carefully selected apprenticeship courses that align with the range of businesses with which they are involved. They work closely with employers in ensuring that employers understand their responsibilities towards the apprenticeship programme. Consequently, apprentices are supported well by their employer.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers make sure that staff support apprentices well to make decisions about whether the apprenticeship programme is suitable for their own circumstances. Consequently, apprentices understand what to expect in their course, the expectations and how it applies to their workplace, and they are able to make informed decisions as to whether the apprenticeship is right for them.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have grown their provision carefully to ensure that they have the necessary processes, such as initial assessments, progress reviews, and appropriate quality assurance, to support apprentices through their course. As a result, leaders and managers have good oversight of the apprenticeship programme and the progress that apprentices make.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have recruited experienced assessors, who have expertise in the care sector. Many have been care home managers and use this knowledge, such as how to jointly plan patients’ care, which helps apprentices apply what they have learned to the workplace. Apprentices value the experience of their assessors. Monitoring visit: ART Providers Limited, 16 and 17 November 2023 Assessors support apprentices who need to gain qualifications in English and mathematics well. Managers provide apprentices with a range of good online resources, including mock examination papers, as well as effective face-to-face teaching. As a result, apprentices are well prepared for their English and mathematics examinations.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive a suitable amount of time to complete their apprenticeship programme. However, apprentices do not record well enough other activities that they complete towards their apprenticeship. As a result, staff and apprentices do not have a complete overview of all off-the-job training.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have ensured that the courses offered meet the requirements of the apprenticeship provision.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Assessors support apprentices well through helpful reviews and good-quality learning resources, which are used in group or individual lessons. Apprentices learn the knowledge they need to provide effective care to the elderly. Those on the funeral team leader apprenticeship understand the importance of being sympathetic to those mourning a loss.

p.3

Reasonable progress

At the start of the course, tutors assess apprentices to determine their existing knowledge, skills and behaviours and how these relate to those demanded by the apprenticeship standard. However, they do not use the information from this assessment effectively to plan the training that apprentices need to complete. This has resulted in some lessons being too slow, as apprentices already understood what was being taught, resulting in slow progress being made.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Assessors provide apprentices with useful and constructive feedback on assessments so that apprentices know how to make improvements to their work. For example, where an apprentice did not structure their assignment sufficiently well, feedback from the tutor helped the apprentice to rectify this.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Assessors provide good support to apprentices who need extra help. For example, they utilise a range of effective strategies to support apprentices with dyslexia so that they can overcome any barriers to their learning. This helps apprentices make the same progress as their peers.

p.3

Reasonable progress

On occasion, assessors move through topics too quickly and do not provide apprentices with enough time to practise what they have been taught. In addition, assessors do not check well enough apprentices’ understanding of the topics taught. Monitoring visit: ART Providers Limited, 16 and 17 November 2023 As a result, assessors do not know whether apprentices fully understand what they are learning before moving on to the next topic.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Assessors work closely with apprentices’ employers to ensure that apprentices have opportunities to put into practice what they have learned in lessons. Consequently, apprentices are able to apply what they have learned in the workplace.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have put in place appropriate recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with adults. They use suitable safeguarding policies and procedures to help keep apprentices safe.

p.4

Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead is suitably qualified. All staff complete online training in safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty. However, they do not routinely refresh their knowledge of these topics. As a result, staff are not routinely kept up to date with changes to guidance.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Assessors inform apprentices about safeguarding, radicalisation and extremism at the start of the course. Apprentices know how to keep themselves safe; they know how to report concerns and can describe the dangers of radicalisation and extremism.

p.4

Reasonable progress

In their ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment, leaders and managers do not fully identify the local risks based on where apprentices work. This limits the information staff provide to apprentices on how to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Reasonable progress

At the start of the apprenticeship and through frequent progress reviews, staff work with apprentices to identify any who may be vulnerable. They use this information to ensure that the necessary support arrangements are put in place. As a result, adults who are deemed as vulnerable are supported well. Monitoring visit: ART Providers Limited, 16 and 17 November 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