Audika Hearing Care Ltd

Hidden Hearing Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Nikki Brady, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Inspection dates: 30 and 31 October 2024

p.1

Address:

Dalton House Training Centre 18 Broad Walk Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6JR Monitoring visit: Hidden Hearing Limited, 30 and 31 October 2024

p.1

Context and focus of 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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Hidden Hearing limited is an employer provider with over 70 hearing centres nationwide. Leaders specialise in providing level 5 Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD) standards-based apprenticeship courses. Apprentices study over a 60-week period, split into two distinct elements. Academic teaching take place over two 10-week blocks, at HAD’s residential training academy, Dalton House, based in Buxton, Derbyshire. For the remaining 40 weeks, apprentices complete ‘in practice’ placements at Hidden Hearing owned audiology clinics, supported by practice educators.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, there were 35 apprentices studying level 5 hearing aid dispenser courses. Fourteen apprentices were in the final two months of their apprenticeship. The remaining apprentices had very recently started their course. All apprentices were over 19 years of age.

p.2

Significant progress

Managers are committed to ensuring that their apprenticeship course is of the highest quality. They work very effectively with stakeholders, such as health care professionals and service users, to review the curriculum and ensure it meets industry standards and customer needs.

p.2

Significant progress

Trainers are highly qualified and have extensive scientific knowledge. They keep up to date with industry developments through their involvement with professional bodies and industry specialist groups. Trainers use this information to make valuable adjustments to curriculum topics. For example, introducing ear insert training to support new audiometer technology. Monitoring visit: Hidden Hearing Limited, 30 and 31 October 2024 Managers use expert guest speakers to teach apprentices about specialist topics, such as tinnitus. Apprentices develop comprehensive knowledge of modern treatment methods and hearing aid technology to help service users who experience tinnitus in addition to hearing loss.

p.2

Significant progress

Managers and trainers have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and standards required for final assessment. Apprentices benefit from extensive summative and mock assessments to build their skills and consolodate their knowledge. As a result, apprentices feel confident and well informed about what to expect during their final assessments.

p.3

Significant progress

Apprentices value the excellent, industry-standard training resources, such as anatomical models, simulation equipment, and dedicated testing rooms. Managers also provide each apprentice with high-quality digital devices essential for their training. For example, laptop computers programmed with software to test hearing and programme hearing aids, tablet devices and audiometers.

p.3

Significant progress

Managers ensure that apprentices have a very thorough understanding of the demands of the apprenticeship and health and care professionals’ council (HCPC) requirements. They communicate these requirements very effectively to employers and practice educators who support apprentices well.

p.3

Significant progress

Thorough quality assurance processes, including annual curriculum reviews and steering group meetings, ensure managers understand their apprenticeship provision well. Managers analyse apprenticeship performance and feedback to continually improve the course.

p.3

Significant progress

Managers and trainers carefully structure the curriculum and plan the content of topics logically. Apprentices first learn about the properties of sound and how sound travels before moving on to understand the anatomy of the outer ear. This is further developed into learning about otoscopy, and how the shape of the ear canal can predispose a patient to certain conditions associated with hearing loss. Apprentices quickly become proficient in their roles.

p.3

Significant progress

Apprentices benefit from well planned on-and off-the-job training. Trainers develop detailed training plans to ensure apprentices are supported well during their placement. They work closely with practice educators, employers, and apprentices to set specific targets and activities during placement blocks. Apprentices develop the Monitoring visit: Hidden Hearing Limited, 30 and 31 October 2024 skills to independently work with a wide range of service users within different settings swiftly.

p.3

Significant progress

Managers and trainers have excellent oversight of the progress apprentices make. They use effective processes to ensure that all aspects of the apprenticeship course are linked seamlessly. Apprentices benefit from detailed reviews and receive valuable feedback through monthly graded observations. Apprentices know what they need to do to improve their skills.

p.4

Significant progress

Trainers skilfully use a range of assessment methods to monitor apprentices’ understanding of topics and pinpoint misconceptions. During residential training, trainers conduct weekly assessments, including multiple-choice quizzes and formative tasks. Outcomes of these assessments are tracked closely by trainers and used to adjust training sessions effectively.

p.4

Significant progress

The quality of work apprentices produce is consistently high. They write detailed evaluative accounts of their experiences and use specialised digital software to assess a range of issues associated with hearing loss. Apprentices have ample opportunity to practise their skills and apply their knowledge with confidence.

p.4

Significant progress

Apprentices receive helpful careers advice and guidance throughout their apprenticeship. Managers and trainers provide individual guidance to apprentices. They consider areas of interest and opportunities for progression, such as audiology and clinical specialists. Apprentices understand their future career options well.

p.4

Significant progress

Managers have a range of clear and appropriate procedures in place to safeguard apprentices, including a detailed ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment. Training staff complete detailed annual training on critical topics. Apprentices receive extensive training on professional conduct and personal safety, such as lone working and managing challenging situations. Trainers provide detailed guidance on how apprentices can recognise safeguarding issues when working with service users, emphasising their dual role as employees and care providers.

p.4

Significant progress

Managers ensure apprentices are supported well when completing residential block training. There are always two staff residing on site with apprentices overnight. This support is highly valued by apprentices, who feel safe when attending training. Monitoring visit: Hidden Hearing Limited, 30 and 31 October 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.

p.4

Significant progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Significant progress

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Significant progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Significant progress

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

p.5