JS Consult Limited

JS Consult Limited Reinspection monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Paul Manning, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

G30b Expressway 1 Dock Road London E16 1AH Monitoring visit: JS Consult Limited, 10 and 11 July 2024

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Context and focus of visit

This is the first reinspection monitoring visit to JS Consult Limited following publication of the inspection report on 11 August 2023, which found the provider to be requires improvement overall.

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Context and focus of visit

Leaders paused the recruitment of apprentices for nine months following the previous inspection. Leaders subsequently decided to reduce their apprenticeship offer. They now only train health and social care and early years apprentices. At the time of the inspection, there were 27 apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders’ actions since the previous inspection are starting to have a positive impact on the quality of training apprentices receive. Leaders have recruited new experienced trainers and assessors, most of whom are well qualified for their roles. Leaders have increased the number of staff with responsibility for the quality and consistency of the training they provide.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders offer an effective range of continuous professional development opportunities for staff. Training includes relevant topics such as providing effective feedback, formative assessment strategies, and supporting apprentices who require extra help. Leaders monitor how staff implement the training they receive and its impact on the quality of training. They frequently visit lessons, provide helpful feedback to trainers and assessors and encourage the sharing of good practice. For example, assessors and trainers share recap quizzes so that they can effectively check apprentices’ understanding of topics.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors and assessors are experienced practitioners. They are skilful in teaching online. They use technology well to complement their teaching. For example, they use online quizzes and videos competently to check apprentices’ understanding and to explain new concepts. Tutors and assessors use their industry experience effectively to explain new topics. For example, when discussing organisational features, tutors use the early years foundation stage framework suitably to link the training to apprentices’ jobs.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices benefit from helpful and developmental feedback from tutors and assessors. Tutors and assessors routinely correct spelling and punctuation errors and make it clear to apprentices how they can improve their work. For example, they Monitoring visit: JS Consult Limited, 10 and 11 July 2024 encourage apprentices to link their assignments to relevant legislation and to include analysis of national data to support their arguments and improve their grades. In most cases, apprentices’ work is of a good standard.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders make sure that apprentices and employers understand the requirements for apprentices’ final assessments. Leaders inform apprentices about the final assessments from the beginning of their training. Tutors frequently plan activities to support apprentices to develop the skills they need to pass their assessments, such as presenting findings from research to their peers.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have increased the support apprentices receive with their final assessments. A dedicated tutor provides group and one-to-one sessions to make sure that apprentices are confident and well prepared for the assessments. They help apprentices prepare their portfolios and gain new information technology skills, such as creating presentations. Apprentices are clear about the content and process for the final assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Too few apprentices from the first cohort of apprentices completed their apprenticeship. A high proportion of apprentices completed the professional and functional skills qualifications, but not their final assessment. Nearly all apprentices who completed their final assessment achieved their apprenticeship, with under half receiving merit grades.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders now teach English and mathematics early in apprentices’ training. Recently recruited apprentices attend bi-weekly functional skills classes from the beginning of their training. Apprentices find these sessions useful and feel well supported. However, it is too early to see the full impact of the new teaching model.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not use the information they collect about apprentices’ knowledge of English and mathematics at the start of their training to set them relevant individual targets . Because of this, apprentices are not clear on the specific areas they need to improve.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors and assessors include English and mathematics in vocational lessons effectively. For example, early years apprentices work out the area of a room when planning different activities for children in a nursery. Healthcare assistants discuss Monitoring visit: JS Consult Limited, 10 and 11 July 2024 the importance of accurate dosages when helping to administer medication. Tutors set apprentices reflective writing tasks, which they present to their peers. Apprentices practise these skills in the workplace, for example, when speaking and writing emails to parents and professionals.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place effective exam preparation sessions to help apprentices pass functional skills qualifications. Pass rates for English and mathematics are high. However, leaders do not analyse exam outcomes to identify areas for improvement or capture first-time pass rates for apprentices. Because of this, they do not know what specific areas to support apprentices with to pass their exams.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide apprentices with a range of age-appropriate personal development opportunities. Leaders use newsletters to draw attention to useful topics, such as financial health, the cost of living crisis and gambling addiction. Staff make sure that apprentices are aware of volunteering opportunities at holiday clubs and community events. However, leaders do not track the number of apprentices who participate and the benefits they gain from these activities.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers and assessors make sure apprentices have a good understanding of fundamental British values, protected characteristics and equality. They discuss these in their frequent progress reviews. Apprentices understand the threats relating to radicalisation and how to identify potential signs of someone being influenced by extremist views.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors and assessors provide effective careers advice and guidance to apprentices throughout their training. For example, apprentices who are about to complete their final assessments discuss potential next steps, including further and higher education courses, to become nurses and assessors. Apprentices at the beginning of their training understand the career and promotion opportunities available to them when they complete their training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders support apprentices to choose and pursue their next steps with a range of useful resources. These include access to articles and videos on topics, such as interview skills and writing CVs. Leaders make sure that apprentices who plan to go to university receive the support they need with their applications from career advisors. Apprentices value the advice, support and resources available to them. Monitoring visit: JS Consult Limited, 10 and 11 July 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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