Nottingham College

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 1 Nottingham College Ruddington Fields Business Park, Ruddington NG11 6JZ Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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residential accommodation

Nottingham College is a further education college located in Nottingham. The college has campuses across the city and county. The college offers a range of courses, including further education, higher education, apprenticeships and professional qualifications. The college provides residential provision in the form of approved hotel accommodation for apprentices who are employed and who study at the college as part of their apprenticeship.

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outstanding

How well young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The college provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the college contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for young people.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 2

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Accommodation is provided to students as part of their apprenticeships when they attend college from their workplaces. A bespoke package includes accommodation at a local hotel. Stakeholders and parents have been consulted with, and these arrangements are regularly reviewed.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students receive individualised and tailored programmes that fully consider their needs both academically and more holistically. Cognitive assessments are completed which inform learning plans, and this innovative practice supports students to succeed and achieve. Tutoring is adapted to meet students’ individual needs. Students are provided with additional pastoral support and training to further develop their knowledge and understanding of societal issues and how to keep themselves safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Student inductions are exceptional. They cover not only information about the college but also provide students with an induction into employment and their rights and responsibilities relating to work. Students and their parents also receive information about and a visit to the hotel lodgings. Parents are provided with contact numbers and are reassured that their children are safe and supported when away from home.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

The experience of college life and opportunities for residential stays as part of young people’s apprenticeships enhances their life chances. They are supported to develop independence and social skills that benefit their future employability prospects. The college works closely with stakeholders and industry professionals to ensure students are supported to learn and adhere to expected standards of conduct.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students have positive relationships with their tutors and well-being coordinators. Staff know the young people well and are proud of their achievements, which are celebrated at an annual presentation evening. Throughout the college, students are spoken about with pride. Lecturers are rightly proud of the apprenticeships they offer and the opportunities students are given. Staff understand the challenges that may face students who are away from home, and there is relevant support in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students are regularly consulted with about their accommodation and any feedback is quickly responded to. Students also have opportunities to express their views about the college and their experiences. Students’ views inform development and improvement plans. There have been no student, parent or stakeholder complaints.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Student’s emotional health and well-being needs are considered and regularly reviewed and there is support and help available. Well-being mentors meet regularly with students on a one-to-one and group basis. When necessary, students have individual wellness action plans, which are completed with the student, in their Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 3 words. The college has recently won an award for its mental health and well-being work with students.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

There is a diverse range of students, who come from across the country. Students are supported to make friendships and establish bonds through team-building events as part of their inductions. This supports their social skills and further prepares them for their working life. Students said they liked meeting new people and making friends and look forward to their time at the college.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Young people say they feel safe at the college, and there have been no incidents of bullying, going missing or challenging behaviour. Students are supported to understand risks online and in the community, and how to keep themselves safe. College staff provide pastoral support, including tutorials and training around societal issues that may impact on students’ health and welfare. External agencies are consulted with and provide additional advice and training around local and national concerns, such as knife crime and radicalisation.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Young people have positive relationships with college staff and can identify staff they would speak to if they needed additional help and support. Staff work closely together, and any concerns are swiftly responded to and shared across the college network to identify the best way of supporting the student. Staff regularly consult with stakeholders and parents to identify where additional support may be required and to share any concerns.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Leaders and managers have taken swift action in response to a student’s health needs. Additional risk assessments were put in place and the college provided specialist equipment to support with the management of risk. As a result, the student was able to continue with their apprenticeship and attend the residential part of their course.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Young people are provided with clear and consistent boundaries and there are high expectations around conduct and behaviour. Students are supported to understand how their conduct links to industry expectations in the workplace and this prepares them for current and future employment. There is an ethos and culture of respect between college staff and students, and this supports students’ well-being and security.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff work constructively as a team to identify any safeguarding concerns and they share any concerns with parents, stakeholders and external professionals as necessary. Designated safeguarding leads are knowledgeable and receive regular training to support them in these roles. All staff who work with the students have received safeguarding training. The link governor for safeguarding has an active role and has recently met with students to gain their views. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 4 Safer recruitment principles are followed and all staff have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This extends to hotel staff who have regular contact with the students.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Students are provided with a safe environment during their studies. Industry- specific risk assessments are in place and comprehensive inductions support students to understand and manage risk. Hotel accommodation has been risk assessed by the college and stakeholders and this is regularly reviewed. Any feedback from students about their lodgings is responded to in a timely way and they are provided with a safe living environment when they are staying away from home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leadership and management arrangements are strong, and the students are put at the centre of everything. Leaders and managers are ambitious and inspirational and have high expectations and ambitions for all the apprentices. They have taken a holistic approach to providing a bespoke and unique experience for apprentices. Leaders have gone above and beyond and have been innovative in creating individualised apprenticeships that reflect the current needs of employers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and manager work with parents, employers and students in creating a supportive learning environment that extends to developing independence and employability skills, alongside academic studies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers understand the college’s strengths and weaknesses and have an effective development and improvement plan in place. Regular consultation with students and stakeholders has informed the development plan and all feedback is carefully considered. Leaders and managers have positive and constructive relationships with stakeholders, external agencies and the wider college network.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are positive about the visible presence of leaders and managers and feel well supported. They are provided with regular training and opportunities to discuss and contribute to the development of college services and provision. Staff have regular meetings, including one-to-one meetings, which they find supportive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers work productively with other agencies and external stakeholders. They have positive relationships, which means that stakeholders have confidence in the college and the apprenticeships they provide. One stakeholder commented, ‘College absolutely meets all our needs and what we want for our students.’ And one parent said, ‘Facilities are good, modern and it is well set up and support is brilliant. I couldn’t ask for more.’ The comments are indicative of the ethos and culture of the college in providing a positive environment for the students. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 6

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accommodation details

Social care unique reference number: 1251774

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Inspectors

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Phillip Morris, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Nottingham College 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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