VIA East Midlands Limited

VIA East Midlands Limited Reinspection monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Vicki Locke, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Bilsthorpe Highways Depot Bilsthorpe Business Park, Eakring Road Bilsthorpe Nottinghamshire NG22 8ST Monitoring visit: VIA East Midlands, 8 and 9 February 2024

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Context and focus of visit

This is the first reinspection monitoring visit to VIA East Midlands Limited, following publication of the new provider monitoring report on 13 November 2023. This found the provider to have made insufficient progress to ensure effective arrangements for safeguarding.

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Context and focus of visit

VIA East Midlands Limited (VIA) is a highway maintenance company that provides road maintenance for Nottinghamshire County Council. Leaders offer apprenticeships for their own employees and for employees at Geo Quarries in Lincolnshire.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, there were five apprentices. Three study the level 2 highways maintenance skilled operative and two study the level 2 construction plant operative. All apprentices are aged 18 years and over.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken well-considered actions since the previous visit.

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Reasonable progress

Accountability for safeguarding is now well defined across the company. Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) hold senior positions.

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Reasonable progress

Staff and DSLs undertake appropriate training in safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty.

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Reasonable progress

Safeguarding policies are clear. There is a comprehensive ‘Prevent’ action plan.

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Reasonable progress

Safer recruitment is thorough and carefully monitored.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are well informed about safeguarding and relevant risks. They benefit from resources about topics such as radicalisation awareness and knife crime. Tutors check on apprentices’ safety and well-being during progress reviews.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders hold safeguarding boards quarterly. These provide effective oversight of safeguarding across the organisation. Monitoring visit: VIA East Midlands, 8 and 9 February 2024 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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