The Chief Constable of West Midlands

The Chief Constable of West Midlands Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Rachel Clark, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 30 April and 1 May 2025

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Address: Tally Ho Training Centre Pershore Road Birmingham B5 7RN Monitoring visit: The Chief Constable of West Midlands, 30 April and 1 May 2025

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy. 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 Chief Constable of West Midlands has a direct funding contract to provide level 3 emergency contact handler and level 3 business administrator apprenticeships. The provider began training its first group of apprentices in March 2024. At the time of the monitoring visit, 12 apprentices were enrolled, most of whom were studying towards the level 3 emergency contact handler apprenticeship. Emergency contact handler apprentices work in the force contact control centre. This includes handling emergency and non-emergency calls and digital contact functions. Business administrator apprentices work in administration roles in the camera enforcement unit and the central ticketing office. All apprentices are over 18 years of age.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed and designed curriculums that meet the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship. They have in place appropriate physical and human resources to provide effective apprenticeship training. Apprentices learn from experienced and qualified workplace mentors who support them throughout their learning journey. Apprentices are given the time they need by their managers to study towards their qualification.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers recruit apprentices with integrity. Through the apprenticeships they offer, they have created a pathway for local people to enter employment in the West Midlands police force. They aim to grow a workforce that reflects the local communities they serve.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and trainers have a clear oversight of the progress that apprentices are making. Through frequent tripartite reviews of learning, they closely monitor apprentices’ progress and intervene when apprentices are identified as falling behind. As a result, most apprentices are on track to achieve. Monitoring visit: The Chief Constable of West Midlands, 30 April and 1 May 2025 Leaders are yet to implement thorough quality assurance arrangements. They are unable to accurately self-assess their strengths and weaknesses because they do not have enough information about the quality of education apprentices receive.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders rightly recognise that they would benefit from more educational expertise to support their governance function. Governors do not receive updates on the quality of education or statutory requirements such as safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty in order to appropriately and constructively challenge and support leaders.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and trainers have planned curriculums that allow apprentices to build their knowledge over time. Level 3 emergency call handler apprentices start with an introduction to the police force and the different roles, ranks and structure. Trainers teach apprentices how to use the call systems for emergency call handling. Apprentices then learn about the law and how to identify crimes and assess potential threats. Following this initial training, trainers create a mock call environment for apprentices to practise their new skills safely. When apprentices demonstrate competence, they transition to live calls with mentor support. This structure aids apprentices to develop their knowledge and skills to become proficient in emergency call handling rapidly.

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Reasonable progress

Workplace mentors support apprentices to achieve. They routinely attend tripartite reviews of apprentices’ progress and actively plan on- and off-the-job learning to help apprentices practise their skills. Level 3 emergency call handler apprentices are put on emergency calls and non-emergency calls depending on the skills they need to develop. This helps apprentices develop their empathy and listening skills. Non- emergency calls help apprentices practise using the systems correctly. Over time, apprentices develop competence and fluency in their skills.

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Reasonable progress

Workplace mentors create opportunities for apprentices to learn from valuable on- the-job learning. Emergency contact handler apprentices rotate their time through the different functions of the call service to practise and apply their knowledge and skills. These opportunities extend and broaden apprentices’ understanding of the department in which they work.

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Reasonable progress

In most cases, the feedback that trainers give apprentices about their written work is frequent and precise. It tells them what they have done well and what they need to do to improve their work. Level 3 emergency call handler trainers closely monitor and assess the calls apprentices make. They give clear feedback that helps apprentices improve. However, trainers teaching the level 3 business administrator Monitoring visit: The Chief Constable of West Midlands, 30 April and 1 May 2025 apprenticeship do not routinely give feedback on written work to help apprentices know what they need to do to achieve a distinction grade.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work to create a culture of safeguarding. Staff and apprentices complete frequent training relating to local and relevant safeguarding topics. Business administrator apprentices learn about the ‘Prevent’ duty. They learn how to look out for aggressive and threatening behaviour or for signs of poor mental health when making telephone calls to members of the public. They understand the importance of reporting their concerns to managers.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers ensure that apprentices know how to keep themselves safe. Apprentices understand and comply with the requirement not to publicly display their uniforms when coming to and from work. Apprentices know how to keep safe on social media platforms. Monitoring visit: The Chief Constable of West Midlands, 30 April and 1 May 2025 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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