O.S.A.T Ltd

Name of lead inspector: Viki Faulkner, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 85 Great Portland Street London W1W 7LT Monitoring visit: O.S.A.T Limited, 20 June 2024

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Context and focus of visit

From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy. This follow-up safeguarding monitoring visit has been carried out consequent to the provider being found to be making insufficient progress in ensuring effective safeguarding arrangements were in place at the previous monitoring visit. It follows the arrangements outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this visit is only on the safeguarding theme below.

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Context and focus of visit

O.S.A.T Limited (O.S.A.T) is an independent learning provider based in the London borough of Westminster. It has training centres in Enfield, Rainham and Blackpool. At the time of the monitoring visit there were 66 apprentices in training. Ten were aged 16 to 18 years of age, none were in receipt of high needs funding. Most apprentices were studying level 2 apprenticeships in construction and the built environment. There were 24 tramway construction operative apprentices and 12 roofer apprentices. Smaller numbers were enrolled on level 2 apprenticeships in bricklaying, painting and decorating, plastering, carpentry and joinery and property maintenance operatives. There were five adult care apprentices studying at level 3 and level 5. O.S.A.T does not work with any subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous monitoring visit, leaders have made effective progress in developing a stronger culture of safeguarding. They have introduced new safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty policies and procedures which help to keep apprentices safe. They recruit staff in line with their new safer recruitment procedure and make sure they are safe to work with apprentices. Leaders have formed effective new links with the local area designated officer for safeguarding and the regional ‘Prevent’ duty coordinators. As a result, staff now have a better understanding of the specific risks in the local area, and build this into their training for apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have appointed a new designated safeguarding lead and deputy safeguarding leads at each site. These staff work together closely to make sure that Monitoring visit: O.S.A.T Limited, 20 June 2024 safeguarding processes are now consistent across the organisation. They provide training for tutors and assessors which ensures they know how to make safeguarding referrals if apprentices disclose concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe. They benefit from helpful training sessions, in topics such as working at heights and manual handling, so they understand how to stay safe on site. Tutors discuss topics such as high suicide rates in young men and online safety with apprentices. They encourage them to consider the sensitivities they will encounter in different work settings, such as completing jobs in schools. Apprentices know how to keep themselves safe when learning and when working in the industry. They know how to report concerns and are confident that staff will deal with them swiftly.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have introduced new training modules on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty which apprentices will complete at the start of their course. Those apprentices who have completed the training so far have a good awareness of radicalisation and the signs to look out for. Monitoring visit: O.S.A.T Limited, 20 June 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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