The Abbey Access Centre

The Abbey Access Centre Monitoring visit report

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

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Inspection dates: 11 and 12 December 2024

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Address:

Arboretum Lodge Monks Road Lincoln LN2 5HU Monitoring visit: The Abbey Access Centre, 11 and 12 December 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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 visit

The Abbey Access Centre is an independent training provider, based in Lincolnshire. It is funded to teach Skills Bootcamps in construction skills, with its first cohort starting in July 2023. At the time of the visit, there were eight adult learners studying a six-week Skills Bootcamp course comprised of face-to-face theory and practical training. To date, leaders have trained 30 learners. All learners are aged 19 and over, and are unemployed.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for the construction skills bootcamp curriculum. They focus on helping adults who are unemployed or have no previous qualifications. The curriculum meets the skills shortages of construction staff for local and national employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a strong relationship with local government organisations, job centres and construction employers to design unique courses that focus on areas such as scaffolding and demolition.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders invest in providing high-quality specialist resources to meet the growing demand for the construction skills course. Learners benefit from a practical construction training site and a spacious well-equipped training centre.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide specialist support to help learners with their personal development. They have a mentoring programme to support those new to working in the construction industry. They also provide ongoing access to counselling support to help learners overcome personal barriers.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors are well qualified and have good experience of working in the construction sector. They have relevant backgrounds, such as managing construction projects. Tutors use their industry relationships to plan purposeful activities for learners, such as arranging visits to construction sites and events. Monitoring visit: The Abbey Access Centre, 11 and 12 December 2024 Leaders have effective oversight of the quality of training learners receive and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Leaders carry out appropriate lesson visits and frequent learner surveys. Leaders meet monthly with staff to review learners’ progress and plan how to improve the curriculum. Trustees provide useful support to help leaders continue to improve.

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Reasonable progress

Courses are well designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills they need to work safely on construction sites. Learners undertake training in site safety, asbestos awareness, manual handling and working at heights. Learners attend well- planned weekly theory and practical training sessions. They also attend a two-day training exercise with potential employers at the end of the course.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors undertake effective assessments of learners’ prior experience, knowledge and qualifications at the start of the course. This information is used well to set individual targets for learners based on their starting points and personal goals.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors carefully plan the curriculum to enable learners to gain real-life work experience opportunities to enhance their learning. For example, learners have worked on a community project to build a new concrete footpath and patio area for parents at a local school. Learners gain useful experience in teamwork, following instructions, driving machinery and abiding by health and safety practices.

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Reasonable progress

Learners develop appropriate English, mathematics and digital skills. For example, tutors support learners to develop their English skills by writing cover letters and CVs to apply for jobs. Tutors support learners to develop their spelling and grammar to ensure that these documents are professionally presented.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors organise useful opportunities for learners to develop their interview skills. All learners complete at least one mock interview during their time on the course with an employer or trustee.

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Reasonable progress

Learners are well prepared for employment with around half progressing into jobs in the construction sector. Leaders are taking effective steps to increase the number of learners gaining meaningful employment further. It is too early to see the impact of leaders’ actions. Monitoring visit: The Abbey Access Centre, 11 and 12 December 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders promote a strong culture of safeguarding within the organisation. They have implemented effective policies and procedures to ensure that adult learners are safe. Safer recruitment practices are appropriate. The designated safeguarding lead and all staff complete relevant safeguarding training.

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Reasonable progress

Staff work effectively with external agencies, such as the police who provide training and support for staff and learners on local issues, such as drugs and alcohol. Leaders have an appropriate ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment in place.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe. They know who to contact at the provider if they have any safeguarding or welfare concerns. Monitoring visit: The Abbey Access Centre, 11 and 12 December 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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