Thompsons Academy trading as Navigators

Thompsons Academy trading as Navigators Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector:

Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2025

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Name of lead inspector:

Type of provider: Independent specialist college

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Name of lead inspector:

Address: Laser House Waterfront Quay Salford M50 3XW Monitoring visit: Thompsons Academy trading as Navigators, 6 and 7 February 2025

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Context and focus of visit

Thompsons Academy trading as Navigators (Navigators) is an independent specialist college that is based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Navigators provides education and training to young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and social, emotional and mental health needs. Many of the learners have not attended formal education settings for some time or have significant barriers to participating in education or training.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, 104 learners were studying individualised programmes at learning centres and community venues across the Greater Manchester area. One hundred learners were studying on the passport to work pathway, and four learners were studying on the preparation for adult pathway.

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Reasonable progress

Following the previous monitoring visit, leaders and managers conducted a comprehensive review of recruitment processes for staff. As a result of this review, leaders have updated policies and processes to ensure they follow safer recruitment procedures. Leaders and managers now adhere closely to the newly implemented safer recruitment practices. They maintain accurate staff records that include checking gaps in previous employment, the right to work in the UK, social media content, employment references and staff suitability to work with learners. Leaders have completed retrospective checks to ensure that existing staff are suitable for their roles.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have significantly improved learner’s individual risk assessments. Managers and mentors now work together to complete a detailed and personalised risk assessment for each learner. Managers complete learners’ risk assessments before they start at the college. They use learners’ education, health and care plans and baseline assessments as well as a home visit to create an individualised risk assessment. The home visits enable mentors to observe learners’ behaviour and identify dangers outside college that might pose a risk to their safety.

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Reasonable progress

Mentors frequently refer to learners’ individual risk assessments so they know the freedoms they can or cannot give learners. For example, if learners are at risk of self-harm, mentors supervise them carefully when learners are using the kitchen. Staff frequently update risk assessments for learners, removing aspects that are no longer a risk, adding newly identified risks or reducing or increasing the level of risk. Monitoring visit: Thompsons Academy trading as Navigators, 6 and 7 February 2025 Mentors quickly update managers if there is a change to learning venues. Changes are often necessary due to managing learners’ emotional states. Risk assessments are in place for all venues. Leaders have now put in place appropriate processes to assess the risk of new venues. Monitoring visit: Thompsons Academy trading as Navigators, 6 and 7 February 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young

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Reasonable progress

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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