Diamond People (NE) Limited

Diamond People (NE) Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Hayley Lomas, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit 2B Mylord Crescent Camperdown Industrial Estate Camperdown Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 5UJ Monitoring visit: Diamond People (NE) limited, 13 and 14 March 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Diamond People (NE) Limited is an independent learning provider operating as Tyneside Training Services. It provides short courses for adults and currently offers three skills bootcamps to enable learners to drive large and heavy goods vehicles, as well as programmes in warehousing and logistics management. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 77 learners on a novice to professional driver skills bootcamp. Learners are typically unemployed or require new skills to progress with their current employer. In addition, there was one apprentice on the level 2 large goods vehicle standard who was awaiting end-point assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have successfully developed a range of programmes that address both local and national staff shortages in the logistics industry. Programmes enable learners to acquire skills in driving large and heavy goods vehicles as well as to gain employment in logistics and warehousing. Many learners have been out of education for a long period. Managers aim to provide them with the confidence and skills to overcome barriers to learning, be successful at interview and gain employment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders employ tutors who are experienced in working in logistics, including as drivers of large and heavy goods vehicles. Tutors effectively use their experience and enthusiasm to bring the curriculum to life in theory lessons that learners enjoy and value. Tutors who do not have a teaching qualification are supported to gain one. However, tutors do not get the opportunity to attend further training to develop their teaching practice once they are qualified.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that the large majority of learners are well supported to complete their learning programmes successfully. The first cohort of learners on the transport manager skills bootcamp achieved their operator licence and are now working as transport managers. However, managers do not analyse the information that they collect about their programmes well enough to enable them to focus on Monitoring visit: Diamond People (NE) limited, 13 and 14 March 2024 what needs to improve. This limits the ability of leaders to ask questions about the success of the programmes and to make improvements for future cohorts.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have in place a board of directors who are experienced in business development and education. However, the board is in its infancy and, therefore, it is too early to see the impact of its actions.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors have effectively structured the range of programmes that they offer. The novice to professional driver skills bootcamp covers both warehousing and driving topics. Tutors have identified that learners are likely to be more successful in gaining employment if they work in warehousing before progressing to a professional driver with the employer, as a level of trust is established.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide learners with helpful initial advice and guidance about the different courses that they offer before enrolling them. The information includes what the course entails and the location of the training. Tutors successfully identify learners who may need additional support and establish how this support will be provided. Many learners have had very limited recent educational experience and, therefore, welcome this support. For those learners who are successful in securing warehousing or driving jobs, the course can be life-changing.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors successfully teach learners to become class C drivers. They ensure that learners understand driving regulations so they can pass their theory tests and are confident to challenge employers if they consider that what they are asked to do infringes regulations. As learners increase their knowledge, tutors ensure that learners fully understand their responsibilities as drivers by teaching ‘the seven deadly sins’ identified by the traffic commissioners and the consequences of infringement. Other topics covered include awareness of manual handling, how to strap a load down safely and securely, and health and safety.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide effective practical driving training in large and heavy goods vehicles. They provide clear instructions to learners and assess their knowledge and skills through observation and questioning. They ensure that learners understand how to check for hazards, speed limits and bridge heights. Tutors provide useful guidance about how to explain hazard awareness when learners are on their test, such as identifying the risk posed by school pupils at a bus stop. They explain clearly to learners who make errors why they should never change lanes on a spiralling roundabout. Learners are well prepared for their practical driving test and to be successful in their driving careers. Monitoring visit: Diamond People (NE) limited, 13 and 14 March 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established a culture of safeguarding by appointing a team of qualified safeguarding leaders. All tutors benefit from annual safeguarding training.

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Reasonable progress

Learners are aware that if tutors consider them to be vulnerable or at risk, they will refer them to managers. Tutors accurately record concerns and, when required, refer learners to external agencies, often for financial or housing support.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that the curriculum includes relevant safeguarding topics, including the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. They also stress the importance of managing mental health, ensuring that learners understand the demands of driving for long periods of time and the significant risks that are prevalent in the transport and logistic sectors. However, for a few learners, their recall of some of these topics is limited. Monitoring visit: Diamond People (NE) limited, 13 and 14 March 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

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Reasonable progress

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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