Universal Vibes Limited

Universal Vibes Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Saher Nijabat, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Suite 515 Olympic House 28–42 Clement Road Ilford IG1 1BA Monitoring visit: Universal Vibes Limited, 10 to 11 July 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Universal Vibes Limited (Universal Vibes) was inspected in August 2023. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in resolving the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there are 39 apprentices studying standards- based apprenticeships in the adult care sector at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5. In addition, there are seven apprentices studying standards-based apprenticeships in the hospitality and catering sector at levels 2 and 3.

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Significant progress

After the previous inspection, leaders and managers increased the range and frequency of their quality assurance and improvement activities swiftly and effectively. They carry out more frequent checks on the quality of teaching and feedback that apprentices receive, sample apprentices’ work, and arrange external quarterly reviews. Leaders and managers quickly identify areas for improvement and implement effective action plans to rectify these. For example, leaders and managers have significantly increased the proportion of apprentices who complete their studies. Leaders and managers rapidly improved the purposefulness of their meetings and strengthened their board of governors to improve their oversight of their performance. The rigorous self-assessment process allows governors and senior leaders to provide constructive challenge and support to staff. Governors meet frequently and closely review progress against their targets. The chair now leads on

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Significant progress

the fortnightly quality meetings. Consequently, governors know their strengths and weaknesses well. Leaders and managers now have suitable staff in place to manage the quality of their apprenticeship training. They have recruited a well-qualified and experienced data analyst to ensure they have access to detailed and accurate information on all aspects of their provision. Leaders and managers now routinely analyse information on apprentices’ progress and the quality of the teaching and assessment they Monitoring visit: Universal Vibes Limited, 10 to 11 July 2024 receive. They use this highly effectively to monitor performance against their targets, inform improvement plans and make informed decisions.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers have significantly improved how they track and monitor the progress that apprentices make. They review this information frequently to identify apprentices who are at risk of falling behind and put in place appropriate support for them. A high proportion of apprentices achieve their learning goals within the planned time. Tutors put in place clear plans for apprentices who struggle and provide additional one-to-one sessions to help them catch up. For example, in hospitality and catering, tutors plan well-structured and comprehensive workplace observations and practical assessments to help apprentices get back on track. The vast majority of apprentices make expected progress, and a few are ahead of target. Leaders and managers have introduced weekly teaching sessions for English and mathematics to support apprentices to achieve these qualifications in a timely manner. Tutors, who are subject experts, teach content well and provide frequent

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Significant progress

opportunities for apprentices to practise what they learn. They routinely go through practice papers and carry out mock assessments. Apprentices’ achievement has improved and is now high, with more apprentices passing their English and mathematics examinations on their first attempt. Tutors prepare apprentices exceptionally well for their final assessments. Throughout the programme and in progress reviews, tutors consistently discuss final assessment requirements and explain how to achieve a distinction. They carry out frequent mock assessments and professional discussions to help apprentices prepare. Apprentices understand well the requirements of their final assessments and most achieve a distinction or merit grade. Monitoring visit: Universal Vibes Limited, 10 to 11 July 2024

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Significant progress

After the previous inspection, leaders and managers supported their tutors extremely well to develop their teaching skills and enable them to provide high-quality feedback to apprentices. Since then, they have quickly implemented an effective training and development programme for tutors to rapidly improve their teaching and assessment practice. Tutors attend training sessions on effective teaching and assessment techniques. For example, they receive dedicated training on how to contextualise English and mathematics within the vocational curriculum. Tutors now skilfully link new content to apprentices’ vocational subjects to help them understand. For example, when teaching apprentices about tenses in English, tutors effectively link this to the specific tenses apprentices use when completing tasks like writing reports. Tutors competently use demonstrations, discussions and examples to support their explanations. They help apprentices understand new content well by relating it to

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Significant progress

their job roles and use questioning effectively to check apprentices’ understanding. Tutors expertly ask follow-up questions to further explore topics in detail. As a result, apprentices develop a deeper understanding of different topics. Leaders and managers have specifically trained tutors on how to provide developmental feedback to apprentices to help them improve their work. During standardisation meetings, they routinely share examples of best practice in teaching and assessment, and provide tips on how to give good-quality feedback. As a result, tutors provide highly developmental feedback on apprentices’ work. They routinely discuss feedback in detail during one-to-one sessions. Tutors regularly refer to the quality of apprentices’ use of spelling, punctuation and grammar, share links to relevant reading and research sources, and set clear improvement actions. Consequently, apprentices know exactly what they need to do and the steps they

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Significant progress

need to take to improve their work. They produce work of the expected standard.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have increased the opportunities for apprentices to develop their understanding of topics beyond their core curriculum. Since the previous inspection, they provide apprentices access to information and activities to widen their knowledge of the world. For example, staff share information on topics such as Monitoring visit: Universal Vibes Limited, 10 to 11 July 2024 LGBTQ+ Pride month, internet safety, knife crime, domestic violence, safety of women and girls, and offer focused sessions on careers. Leaders and managers have started to offer enrichment sessions to apprentices to develop their personal skills. For example, apprentices attend sessions on digital literacy and communication skills. This helps them perform their job roles more confidently and take the lead in workplace initiatives. For example, level 5 leader in adult care apprentices lead training events. They share what they have learned with

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Reasonable progress

their colleagues to help them improve. Employers value the contributions apprentices make to their organisations. Apprentices who access personal development resources and activities find them useful. They benefit from learning about different topics and the impact these have on their lives. For example, tutors discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis and voting. Consequently, apprentices learn strategies for managing money better in difficult times, understand the importance of choosing representatives wisely and recognise voting as a civic duty. Tutors do not consistently explore these topics in sufficient detail in apprentices’ progress reviews and one-to-one sessions. As a result, in a few cases, apprentices are not aware of personal development resources and activities. They do not know how these wider issues can impact their lives and work. Leaders and managers recognise that there is more to do to ensure that apprentices make good use of the

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Reasonable progress

personal development opportunities. They have suitable action plans in place to improve this further. Monitoring visit: Universal Vibes Limited, 10 to 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 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

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