Wiltshire College

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 1 Wiltshire College and University Centre Wiltshire College and University Centre, Lackham Park, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2NY Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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residential accommodation

Wiltshire College & University Centre has four main campuses, in Chippenham, Lackham, Salisbury and Trowbridge, with satellite centres in Corsham and Castle Combe.

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residential accommodation

Residential provision for students aged under 18 is only available on the Lackham campus. Lackham is predominantly a land-based campus that also offers a range of further and higher education and apprenticeship courses in areas such as Business, Engineering, Sport and Military Preparation. Lackham has a working farm that provides students with hands-on experience of the rural economy.

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residential accommodation

At the time of this inspection, the Lackham campus provided accommodation for 26 students under 18 and 12 apprentices who are under 18.

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residential accommodation

The college was not providing or arranging accommodation in local lodgings or with host families.

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good

How well young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The college provides effective services that meet the requirements for good. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 2 Date of last inspection: 28 March 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 3

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Students enjoy living on campus and said they are very supported, as residential staff are always available and willing to help. Students have a positive experience moving in, so they feel settled. Inductions are well organised, and staff provide an informative and fun programme for students, that helps them to form positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Student bedrooms are spacious and well equipped, and extensive improvements have ensured that halls of residence feel homely and welcoming. However, toilet facilities in the college social areas are tired and outdated. Residential students use these areas when attending activities or socialising in the evenings.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Students have access to a variety of support systems within the college to support their health and well-being. This includes support from residential staff, the well- being team, counsellors, and access to a 24/7 student assistance programme. Staff have in-depth knowledge of students in their care that helps them provide effective support and intervention.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Staff successfully support students to manage their own medications as part of their independence learning. This is thoroughly risk-assessed, and where appropriate students have lockable medicine cabinets in their bedrooms to keep their medication safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Students’ views about the quality of food are mixed; some say there are several hot food choices each mealtime, including healthy options. However, others felt it could be improved, and options are limited. The canteen provides several food choices and a salad bar however, some of the choices run out quickly, making choice limited. There are also mixed views regarding enrichment activities; again, some students suggest there are plenty of activities, but others said these are limited. Staff provide a timetable of activities each evening however, not all students all choose to engage in these.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

At the end of the last academic year, 100% of students went on to positive destinations at the end of their course. Furthermore, most students who study at level 2 go on to the level 3 course. There is excellent support in place for students with an education, health and care plan, with additional input from staff, so students are prepared for the workplace.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Parents said they are happy with the accommodation offered at the college and the level of support provided by staff is consistently good. Parents are pleased there is a robust system in place, so staff always know a student’s whereabouts. Parents said if students do not return to college in the evenings, staff are vigilant and always communicate concerns with them, which gives them assurance that students are Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 4 safe. Overall, parents are satisfied with students’ experiences and progress, and shared examples that students are doing well.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Student records are well organised and evidence the effective working relationships between residential and academic staff, the student and their parents. Staff consistently share information regarding student progress and well-being, so staff can meet students’ needs effectively.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Staff take effective action to safeguard students and reduce risk, so students feel safe. There are two safeguarding leads who consult with leaders and managers to ensure there is robust oversight, although safeguarding concerns are minimal. When incidents occur, staff take swift and competent action to address concerns and provide students with an effective level of support. Staff have good working relationships with external services and attend a variety of meetings to ensure they have up-to-date knowledge and can meet students’ needs.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Behaviour is well managed because of the relationships staff have built with students. Staff do not take a punitive approach to managing student behaviour. They are supportive and nurturing and consider events as a learning opportunity for the students, using a restorative approach. Students understand behavioural expectations and potential consequences because staff give them clear information.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Staff follow safer recruitment procedures in accordance with statutory guidance. Robust processes are in place for staff who live on the campus, and this includes clear guidance on the college’s expectations of all those who live on site.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

There are effective health and safety arrangements in place and the site team takes robust action to address any concerns on site and ensure students are safe. When fire drills take place, staff record student names so they can monitor student participation. Students receive fire safety information during induction at the start of the new term, and they have regular fire updates, so they fully understand fire procedures and how to report concerns.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is present on campus, but the purpose is to help staff and students feel safe. External cameras only cover walkways and do not point at any doors or windows in the residential area. However, there is CCTV in the communal indoor area, but this is only when staff are not present so students can be monitored. Staff said they would not check the camera records, unless there was a reported issue. It is unclear if students are aware of this arrangement.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

There have not been any resident student complaints or concerns raised about staff practice since the last inspection. However, when there is a complaint, leaders and managers take effective and robust action to address concerns, seek resolution and consider learning. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have worked hard to ensure there is cohesive working across the college. They have confidence and trust in staff and that they have good working relationships with each other, to ensure students receive a high level of support. They have focused on improvements and have invested in the residential setting, updating the bedrooms, washing facilities and kitchen areas so it feels homely for students.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The residential manager has in-depth oversight and understanding of students’ needs. The residential team has strengthened through joined-up working and the addition of staff in the evening. Areas identified for development are intended to further improve the quality of the service and the students’ experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The safeguarding governor maintains regular oversight of provision and attends regular meetings with the safeguarding lead to ensure that the strategies introduced improve student safety and experiences. The safeguarding team meets regularly to discuss any concerns and implement additional support where necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they enjoy working at the college and feel supported by leaders and managers. They have access to a wide range of training, so feel equipped to support student’s needs. Staff said that since the last inspection, they have seen significant improvements, because of effective communication and information-sharing across departments, which ensures all relevant staff understand student progress and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Both staff and students report delays with regard to maintenance issues, although this is not always the case. However, leaders and managers have arranged for a new site officer to join the team from February 2025, to address this issue.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Currently, staff are not receiving formal supervision. However, the residential manager provides the team with informal support on a day-to-day basis, and staff said that she is incredibly helpful. The residential manager has designed a new format for formal supervision, but it has not yet been implemented. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 6

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Recommendation

 Ensure that suitable living accommodation is provided for residential students for the purposes of organised activities and socialising, and that there are appropriate toilet facilities in these areas. (NMS for the ‘Accommodation of students under 18 by FE colleges’ 5.3)

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Points for improvement

 College leaders should consider implementing the new formal supervision session devised by the residential manager.

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Points for improvement

 College leaders should consider the arrangements regarding the CCTV in the communal indoor area.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 7

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accommodation details

Social care unique reference number: SC042852

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Inspector(s)

Emma Fryer, Social Care Inspector Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Wiltshire College 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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