Ministry of Defence Police

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Ministry of Defence Police

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Ministry of Defence Police is an employer provider that teaches the level 4 non- Home Office police officer apprenticeship. At the time of the inspection, there were 113 apprentices in learning.

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Information about this provider

Apprentices start their training at the provider’s training headquarters at Southwick Park in Hampshire. They study a 12-week initial training programme. On completion of the initial 12-weeks training, apprentices move on to nine weeks of firearms training at one of six specialist firearms training centres across the country. They are then deployed to one of over 40 establishments that the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are responsible for guarding.

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Information about this provider

All apprentices are over 18 years old and have previously achieved a level 2 qualification in both English and mathematics. 18 to 21 March 2025

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

Apprentices rapidly develop the specialist knowledge they need to be MDP officers. This is because they learn in an environment where they are motivated to succeed by leaders’, managers’ and trainers’ high expectations of them. Through their training, they develop their confidence, resilience and interpersonal skills. This helps them become skilled in carrying out armed activities when they guard and secure the many highly restricted establishments at which they work.

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

Apprentices have a thorough understanding of how their careers may develop. They know what opportunities for further and specialist training exist in and outside the MDP. These include training as dog handlers or tactical firearms officers.

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

Apprentices have an excellent understanding of fundamental British values as these are intrinsic to their training and job roles. They learn how the rule of law and respect should be applied in their day-to-day activities. Apprentices learn, for example, how to deal with protesters outside their establishments respectfully while ensuring that they stay within the limits of the law. They develop diplomacy and negotiation skills to help enforce the law calmly and efficiently.

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

Apprentices have an excellent understanding of safeguarding. They know how to keep themselves safe from the rigours of their job role, which includes night shifts and carrying firearms. They have a thorough understanding of the dangers that those with extreme or radical views pose to those in the armed forces and to their establishments. They apply their knowledge of safeguarding in their job roles skilfully when they deal with members of the public, particularly if the public may be vulnerable or in danger.

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better?

Expert MDP officers use their extensive skills and knowledge gained from serving in the force to provide apprentices with lively and illuminating lessons and practical training sessions. Trainers have effective teaching skills gained from completing teaching qualifications prior to and during their time as MDP trainers.

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better?

During their firearms training course, apprentices are taught by expert firearms officers on specialist ranges and in simulated domestic and industrial environments. They learn the correct and safe methods to carry guns and the legal and personal responsibilities associated with being an armed officer.

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better?

During their initial 12-week training period at Southwick Park, apprentices learn about the professional standards of being an MDP officer and the legal aspects of their job role. They quickly learn to apply this knowledge to a wide range of practical scenarios in facilities such as video-linked interview suites and a bar and lounge in a pub. During practical activities, such as simulated road traffic accidents, trainers give apprentices prompt, accurate and highly insightful feedback about their performance and areas for development. 18 to 21 March 2025

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Through their initial training at Southwick Park, apprentices learn to work with each other very cohesively. They develop professional behaviours and attitudes to work, study and social activities. They support each other to attend lessons on time, with the right equipment and wearing the correct uniform. They organise social events and raise money for local charities. At the time of the inspection, just seven weeks into their training, apprentices had raised over £1,700 for a suicide bereavement charity, an organisation they were very proud to support.

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Trainers give apprentices accurate and supportive feedback on their written work during their time at Southwick Park. When apprentices are at their stations, learning coaches and line managers give them feedback on their written assignments and practical skills development that helps them to improve most aspects of their work. However, on occasions, trainers and coaches do not correct apprentices’ spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. Consequently, a few apprentices continue to make these errors, both in assignments and in important documents such as witness statements that may be used as evidence in criminal proceedings resulting from illegal activity that apprentices may be investigating.

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All apprentices who have completed their training to date have passed their final assessments and achieved their apprenticeship. However, the proportion of apprentices who achieve a distinction grade is low. Too many apprentices do not see the value of working to a higher standard to achieve this grade. A few line managers at stations do not provide apprentices with opportunities to master the skills that would enable them to achieve a distinction grade.

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Senior officers responsible for governance have a thorough oversight of the apprenticeship provision as part of the overall learning and development offer in the MDP. They know the strengths and the areas for further improvement of the apprenticeship. They work effectively to get changes to the training programme agreed by stakeholders involved in the quality of the apprenticeship.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Routinely correct apprentices’ spelling, punctuation and grammar errors in written work so they do not repeat these mistakes in subsequent assignments and at work.  Identify and implement actions to increase the proportion of apprentices who achieve a distinction grade in their final assessments. 18 to 21 March 2025

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Provider details

Address Defence School of Police and Guarding Southwick Park Portsmouth PO17 6EJ

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Chief Constable Melanie Dales

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 18 to 21 March 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the apprenticeship manager, 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

Richard Pemble, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Martin Hughes Ofsted Inspector Emma Barrett-Peel Ofsted Inspector Linnia Khemdoudi Ofsted Inspector Rebecca Jennings His Majesty’s Inspector 18 to 21 March 2025

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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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