Trainplus Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 27 to 29 November 2024

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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Information about this provider

Trainplus Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Wickford, Essex. There are 221 apprentices, most of whom are over the age of 19. Most apprentices work in the East of England, South East and London regions. More recently, Trainplus has started training apprentices employed across the country. Apprentices are taught in their workplaces.

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Information about this provider

Trainplus offers apprenticeships from levels 2 to 5. Most apprenticeships work in adult care, early years, and children, young people and families sectors. Younger apprentices only study the early years apprenticeships. More recently there has been an increase in apprentices studying the level 4 children, young people and families practitioner. This now represents half of all apprenticeship enrolments.

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Information about this provider

A very small proportion of apprentices study the level 3 business administrator and digital apprenticeships. Over half of all apprentices study functional skills English and mathematics. 27 to 29 November 2024

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices develop extremely respectful and professional behaviours at work. Employers value highly apprentices’ positive attitudes to their work and studies. Apprentices value the support that they receive from their tutors. Apprentices grow in confidence because of their training. They take pride in the high-quality care that they provide for the children and clients for whom they are responsible. Children, young people and families practitioner apprentices use positive recognition effectively. Apprentices plan for the children who they care for to earn recreational activities, such as bowling and snooker, to reinforce positive behaviour.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices enjoy their learning and have very high attendance. Tutors facilitate calm and supportive environments during professional discussions and observations. Staff monitor apprentices’ attendance carefully. They rearrange teaching sessions to ensure that apprentices complete the work they miss if they are absent.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices have a good understanding of healthy lifestyles, including in relation to their jobs. Level 4 children, young people and families practitioner apprentices learn about different food groups, food labelling and the health benefits of physical activity. Lead adult care worker apprentices discuss the impact of poor moving and handling techniques on their health and posture.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel very safe in their working environments. They have a thorough understanding of how to keep children safe and can apply this effectively to their own well-being and safety.

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better?

Since the previous inspection, leaders have taken effective actions to respond to their areas for improvement. They have improved their monitoring, oversight and evaluation of the quality of education. Leaders set effective actions that help apprentices at risk of falling behind to catch up. A high proportion of apprentices, including those with additional learning needs, now achieve their apprenticeship, many with a merit or distinction grade. Leaders use quality assurance findings effectively to develop purposeful training plans to help tutors to improve.

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better?

Leaders have developed an ambitious and inclusive curriculum. They have a good understanding of the apprentices’ workplace and their individual needs. Leaders have enhanced the information they gather at the start of the programme to plan a challenging and aspirational curriculum. They teach additional qualifications to support those apprentices aspiring to apply for senior roles or go on to higher education. Leaders have developed a meaningful curriculum to support and plan for apprentices’ personal skills development. Tutors and apprentices access a wide range of helpful resources to review and set personal development targets. In the level 3 early years educator, apprentices become confident communicators. They learn how to have challenging conversations with parents about their child’s 27 to 29 November 2024

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behaviour. They communicate these confidently and in a constructive way, always finishing with a positive statement.

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Tutors are qualified teachers and experts in their fields. Level 3 early years educator tutors continue to work in the sector to keep their practice current. They use their expertise skilfully in their teaching. They provide apprentices with up-to-date knowledge and workplace scenarios to explain new concepts very effectively. Tutors provide clear instructions and demonstrations so that apprentices can apply their new learning to future work activities. On level 4 children, young people and families practitioner, apprentices have a good understanding of the regulations that they use in their job role. Apprentices use the de-escalation techniques they have learned effectively in the workplace. Tutors use professional discussion and additional questioning purposefully. This helps apprentices to reinforce their knowledge, apply their learning and deepen their thinking. Level 3 lead adult care worker apprentices

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can explain barriers to communication and describe situations where verbal and non-verbal communication methods are most effective.

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Too few employers have a good understanding of what training their apprentice needs to complete in the workplace. Leaders at the provider ensure that employers know the progress that apprentices make. Too few employers participate in the progress review discussion to identify and plan for training opportunities at work. Apprentices on level 3 and level 4 apprenticeships do not routinely have a clear off- the-job training plan to work to between progress review meetings.

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Apprentices enjoy high-quality, individualised teaching of English and mathematics. A high proportion achieve their functional skills qualifications at the first attempt. Apprentices become confident to produce workplace documents, including reports for parents and caregivers. Apprentices know the importance of accurate spelling and grammar in the work they produce. Level 3 early years educator apprentices use ratios effectively to manage staff ratios within the setting and prepare bottles in the baby room.

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Apprentices have a good understanding of what they need to do to advance their careers. Staff provide apprentices with helpful careers advice. Apprentices understand how they can gain leadership positions. Staff discuss careers and opportunities at each progress review. They ensure that apprentices know the higher-level qualifications they need to study to allow them to manage a setting or lead a room in an early years setting. Most apprentices remain working for the same employer on completion of their apprenticeship.

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Apprentices have a good understanding of life in modern Britain, including the risks of extremist views. Tutors use current events, such as recent riots, to explain fundamental British values effectively. Apprentices know the signs to recognise in the changed behaviours of others that indicate potential radicalisation. Apprentices know how the rule of law applies to their work. Lead adult care worker apprentices understand the implications of the Winterbourne View enquiry, for example. They know that good care must provide emotional as well as medical support. Apprentices demonstrate respect for children in their care, such as lockable bedroom doors. 27 to 29 November 2024

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They know how to manage a child’s privacy and mitigate potential risk effectively, such as self-harm.

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Apprentices use their understanding of equality and diversity competently in their setting. They plan diverse food menus to promote different cultures or nationalities in their settings. They adapt their activities for children who do not celebrate specific festivals, such as Christmas.

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Leaders have taken actions to implement governance arrangements to support their continued improvement. They have recently started working with experts from outside the organisation who can provide impartial support and challenge their decisions. At the time of the inspection, these arrangements were in the early stages and it was too early to see any impact.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Implement fully the arrangements for external support and challenge. Ensure that leaders receive support and challenge to continue to improve the quality of education.  Involve employers directly in the progress review and planning of the apprentices’ training throughout the apprenticeship. Ensure that there is a shared commitment and understanding with employers for apprentices’ off-the-job training activities. 27 to 29 November 2024

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Provider details

Address 73a High Street Wickford Essex SS12 9AQ

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Provider details

Provider type Independent Learning Provider (National)

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 23 to 26 August 2022

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 27 to 29 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Penny Fawcus, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Lynda Brown Ofsted Inspector Sam Hanmer Ofsted Inspector Mark Hillman His Majesty’s Inspector 27 to 29 November 2024

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

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