Railsafe Group Limited

Railsafe Group Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Mark Care, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Thames Hub Princess Margaret Road East Tilbury Tilbury Essex RM18 8RH Monitoring visit: Railsafe Group Limited, 26 and 27 March 2025

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Railsafe Group Limited specialises in providing skilled workers to maintain and repair the national railway network. Railsafe Group is an employer for the rail network and became an adult learning provider in 2023. The provider trains adults to become skilled and accredited to work in the heavily regulated rail industry.

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Context and focus of visit

The provider offers training at regional sites across the country, providing skills for the unemployed. Adult-funded courses are offered in Leeds, and Skills Bootcamps in Essex and London. At the time of the visit, 109 adults were training to become rail operatives at levels 2 and 3. Approximately half of the learners were on Skills Bootcamp courses.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders make very effective use of their extensive knowledge of the rail network industry. They have developed a highly relevant curriculum to help meet the growing industry skills needs due to an ageing workforce and sustained growth in the rail sector. Leaders have invested heavily in staff recruitment and practical learning resources to provide learners with an up-to-date industry-standard learning environment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work highly effectively with stakeholders to provide new career opportunities for people from deprived and disadvantaged backgrounds, including those with criminal convictions. Stakeholders include Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, the probation service and employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have devised an effective professional development strategy for trainers. Trainers carry out regulatory qualifications for working on the railways and complete assessor and quality assurance qualifications suited to their professional roles. Leaders do not provide trainers with sufficient training to improve their teaching Monitoring visit: Railsafe Group Limited, 26 and 27 March 2025 practice. The quality of teaching that trainers provide for learners, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, is not consistently good.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not yet have any external governance representation to provide additional scrutiny, support and challenge from education, training and industry experts.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have carefully designed and structured an effective curriculum. Learners first develop an understanding of health and safety, manual handling and fire awareness. They learn how to use an impact wrench to undo and tighten bolts. Learners then develop knowledge of how to work on the railway safely before moving on to undertake track maintenance.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers are qualified and experienced in the rail sector. Trainers use this expertise skilfully to provide clear explanations and industry examples that enhance learning. Trainers clearly explain the difference between information signs of different colours. Learners know the correct personal protective equipment needed when working on rail tracks such as safety footwear and high-visibility clothing.

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Reasonable progress

Learners are prepared effectively for jobs in the rail industry. Learners understand railway maintenance and how to replace tracks. Trainers demonstrate how to use tools and different techniques highly effectively, such as how to turn a rail with a rail turning bar. Learners develop their skills in teamwork and working effectively with each other. In theory lessons, trainers do not always check learners’ understanding before moving on to new topics.

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Reasonable progress

Learners develop good employability skills and gain the qualifications they need to work in the heavily regulated rail sector. Learners understand the importance of punctuality and attendance, how to communicate effectively and how to apply for a job and prepare for an interview. Leaders employ most of the adults they successfully train. Leaders provide trainees with opportunities for employment in other companies in the industry. Most learners who are referred to employers for interviews gain employment, and many are promoted to roles of increased responsibility and improved pay.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented effective policies and procedures to safeguard adult learners. Leaders carry out effective ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessments. Learners have a sound knowledge of safeguarding and know what to do if they have a concern. Monitoring visit: Railsafe Group Limited, 26 and 27 March 2025 Leaders and trainers ensure that learners have a good understanding of how to work safely in a rail environment. Learners understand how to use power tools safely when working on tracks and how to lift heavy loads correctly. Learners know to follow industry working practices to keep themselves and their peers safe.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have not yet developed strategies to ensure that learners are aware of any local safeguarding risks where they live and work. Monitoring visit: Railsafe Group Limited, 26 and 27 March 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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Reasonable progress

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

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