Fairway Training (Healthcare) Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Fairway Training (Healthcare) Limited

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Inspection dates: 27 February to 1 March 2024

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

Fairway Training (Healthcare) Limited, trading as Embark Learning Care Academy, is an independent learning provider based in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, with satellite centres across Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Telford in Shropshire. The provider holds a contract with the West Midlands Combined Authority to provide employability training and free courses for jobs to adult learners for the health and social care sector.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the visit, there were 46 learners studying a level 1 pre-employment ‘step into care’ programme. There were 41 learners studying a level 2 extended diploma in adult care and eight learners studying level 3 diploma in adult care. The provider does not use any subcontractors. 27 February to 1 March 2024

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

Learners enjoy their learning and are motivated to achieve their qualifications and gain employment. Tutors create a calm and respectful environment where learners are confident to share their ideas and opinions. As a result, learners’ attendance is high, and the vast majority successfully complete their course.

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

Learners feel safe and know how to safeguard themselves and others against bullying, harassment or discrimination. Learners know how to report any concerns they may have. They feel confident that staff will take swift and appropriate action.

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

Learners develop the knowledge and skills and achieve the qualifications they need to successfully move into employment in the health and social care sector. The majority of learners have not studied for many years. They value the opportunity to gain accredited qualifications and improve their employment prospects.

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

Learners develop their confidence, character, and resilience. Staff work with partners to provide effective support for learners to help them overcome barriers to learning and employment. For example, providing support for learners at risk of becoming homeless. Leaders and staff prioritise mental well-being. Through the support and guidance of trained staff, learners become better equipped to cope with the emotional challenges of working in health and social care. Most learners gain and stay in employment after their course.

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

At the start of their course learners cover topics such as personal safety and local area risks related to radicalisation and extremism. However, they do not routinely revisit these topics. As a result, learners cannot confidently recall this learning and are not always aware of the potential risks in their local area.

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better?

Leaders work effectively with stakeholders, including the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the National Careers Service (NCS) and local care service employers. They are proactive in recruiting learners onto their courses to upskill and reskill the workforce in the care sector. At employers’ request, leaders and managers design and adapt curriculums to provide learners with the best opportunity to move into employment in adult care. For example, they have designed the level 1 ‘step into care’ curriculum to include digital skills training as the sector becomes more digital in its working practices.

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better?

Staff provide helpful support to learners, many of whom have significant barriers to learning such as poor prior educational experiences. Tutors provide one-to-one coaching support so that learners can complete their course successfully. As a result, learners stay on track with their learning and gain the knowledge and skills they need to successfully move into employment. 27 February to 1 March 2024

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Tutors use their up-to-date sector knowledge to plan and teach interesting lessons. They use a range of teaching methods to ensure learners are gaining and securing new knowledge. For example, tutors reinforce new key concepts on health and safety in a care setting. They provide simulated learning environments to allow learners to practise and apply their new knowledge and skills. As a result, the vast majority of learners successfully achieve their qualification and move into sustained employment.

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Tutors on the level 1 ‘step into care’ course develop learners English and mathematical skills. For example, calculating with time and improving written work. However, on the level 2 and level 3 courses, tutors do not routinely develop English and mathematical skills to close gaps in knowledge and prepare learners for their next steps in education or employment.

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In the level 2 and level 3 courses the quality of feedback that tutors provide on learners written work is not consistent. Tutors do not routinely give helpful feedback. Consequently, learners do not correct spelling and grammatical errors or improve the technical content of their written work.

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Governors have the expert knowledge and expertise to support leaders to provide confident and strong strategic leadership. They receive frequent and detailed reports from senior leaders. This information helps them to focus on key areas and provide effective challenge regarding the quality of education that learners receive. For example, they challenge leaders to capture and report on sustained employment outcomes beyond what is contractually required. This helps them to better understand the long-term curriculum impact on the health and social care sector.

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Leaders are considerate of the workload and well-being of their staff. They meet with staff regularly and offer a safe and nurturing environment where staff can raise any concerns they might have. As a result, staff feel valued and supported.

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Tutors on the level 1 ‘step into care’ course provide learners with useful careers education, information, advice and guidance. Learners on this course have a clear understanding of the future opportunities, job roles and career pathways available to them. However, learners studying the level 2 and level 3 courses do not routinely receive useful and informative careers advice and guidance. As a result, these learners are not sufficiently aware of the potential future opportunities available beyond their current employer.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 27 February to 1 March 2024

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that learners can confidently recall the localised risks in the areas in which they live and work so that they can keep themselves safe.  Provide careers education, information, advice and guidance so that all learners are aware of the employment and education pathways available to them.  Provide helpful feedback on learners written work which supports them to improve.  Ensure English and mathematical skills development is routinely planned to help learners close any gaps in their knowledge. 27 February to 1 March 2024

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Provider details

Address First Floor 2 Duke Street Sutton Coldfield B72 1RJ

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Alex O’Neill

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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 n/a 27 February to 1 March 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the quality and delivery manager, 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

Rachel Clark, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector Maggie Fobister Ofsted Inspector Karen Tucker Ofsted Inspector Deb Whiston Ofsted Inspector 27 February to 1 March 2024

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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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