Genius Junction Ltd

Genius Junction Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Michael Worgs, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

95 St Albans Road Watford WD17 1SJ Monitoring visit: Genius Junction Limited, 20 and 21 March 2024

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Context and focus of the 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.

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Context and focus of the visit

Genius Junction Limited (GJL) is an independent learning provider based in Watford. GJL gained a contract to offer standards-based apprenticeships in February 2023. At the time of the visit, three apprentices were studying the level 3 lead adult care worker, level 3 senior health care support worker and level 5 leader in adult care apprenticeship standards. All apprentices are aged 19 years and over. They all study English and mathematics qualifications. There are no learners in receipt of high needs funding. GJL has no subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for the healthcare apprenticeship offer. They provide apprenticeships that meet the skill shortages of healthcare staff for local employers.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have good links with employers. They work effectively with employers to make sure the curriculum content meets the needs of each employer’s healthcare setting. For example, staff introduce leadership topics early so that apprentices develop their team-leading skills. As a result, apprentices swiftly grasp how the theories of leadership and management apply in the adult care sector. They understand how to manage the performance of their team.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that apprentices receive their off-the-job entitlement. They ensure that training agreements clearly specify the off-the-job training expectations. Managers frequently check the off-the-job training records submitted by apprentices to ensure they are accurate and meet the expectations of an apprenticeship. Monitoring visit: Genius Junction Limited, 20 and 21 March 2024 Tutors are knowledgeable with expertise within the healthcare sector. They have relevant healthcare backgrounds, such as working in management roles in residential healthcare. Tutors hold relevant teaching and assessor qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have effective governance arrangements in place. Governors have suitable skills and experience to contribute to the development of the apprenticeship offer. They have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum. Governors provide useful support to leaders and managers to help them continue to improve.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that staff carefully consider apprentices’ starting points and prior experience of working in the healthcare sector. This information is used effectively to enrol apprentices onto the appropriate apprenticeship and plan their training to meet their needs.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and tutors plan apprentices’ training very well. Apprentices complete their weekly training with their tutors in the workplace and their English and mathematics training online. Apprentices study a broad range of topics, such as risk management, safeguarding legislation and well-being. They develop an in-depth understanding of these topics and how they are relevant in the workplace to develop and implement appropriate policies, procedures and practices to keep their clients and themselves safe.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors use their expertise well to support apprentices to understand key concepts, such as how to develop detailed and specific care plans to meet the needs of their clients. As a result, apprentices are compassionate and take pride in providing person-centred care to improve the quality of life for the individuals in their care.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop appropriate English, mathematics and digital skills. For example, they develop their English skills when communicating with clients and can produce clearly written reports. They develop their mathematics skills when issuing medication to clients.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are not making swift enough progress to prepare for their final functional skills examinations. Leaders are aware of this issue and are taking suitable steps. It is too early to see the impact of leaders’ actions.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices and employers are sufficiently aware of the requirements for the final assessments. As a result, employers are aware of how to support apprentices and help them with their preparation for these assessments. Monitoring visit: Genius Junction Limited, 20 and 21 March 2024 Leaders have recently developed suitable quality assurance processes to monitor the quality of the apprenticeship offer. They have appointed a new quality manager. It is too early to judge the full impact of managers’ actions to improve the quality of training apprentices receive.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders effectively promote a culture of safeguarding within the organisation. Apprentices feel safe. They know how to report safeguarding and welfare concerns. Apprentices are confident that staff will deal with their concerns promptly should the need arise.

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Reasonable progress

Safeguarding policies, procedures, and safer recruitment practices are appropriate. The designated safeguarding lead and all staff complete relevant safeguarding training. Monitoring visit: Genius Junction Limited, 20 and 21 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 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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