Keibra Ltd

Keibra Ltd

Address: Shaw Business Centre, OL2 8PH Unique reference number (URN): 2765318

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Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, learners are made safer and feel safe.

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How we evaluate safeguarding

When we inspect providers for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:

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How we evaluate safeguarding

Met: The provider has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The provider has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Directors quickly identify if apprentices have barriers to their learning. Working with a specialist partner, directors set apprentices neurodiversity screening questionnaires. These reveal apprentices’ strengths, challenges and neurodiversity traits. Directors use these results to provide specialist support. They provide apprentices with assistive technology tools, additional teaching and mentoring.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Directors closely monitor the progress that apprentices make, and provide very effective support to apprentices who face challenges to their wellbeing so that they remain in learning and work. They source help for apprentices who need mental health support or have urgent housing needs. Directors make all reasonable adjustments to enable apprentices to continue their apprenticeship and make the progress of which they are capable.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Directors receive specialist training in adaptive teaching and the graduated approach. Through talking with apprentices and using ongoing assessment, directors identify when support can be reduced or removed. Directors appreciate the importance of building apprentices’ confidence, resilience and coping strategies.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Directors work proactively with employers so that they can support apprentices in the workplace. Employers reduce apprentices’ call handling duties for the first part of the apprenticeship as apprentices build their confidence. Apprentices with sensory needs work remotely so that they can better manage their working environment.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Directors have an ambitious vision to develop apprentices through their expertly coordinated approach to training, mentorship and support. They focus on preparing future AI innovators and cyber analysts to address complex challenges and to advance technology in an ethical and sustainable way.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Directors have a comprehensive understanding of their strengths and the areas they wish to develop further. Working with their advisory board, they monitor their progress towards challenging targets and set high standards for their apprenticeship provision. Directors work very effectively together to lead the organisation and teach the apprentices. They offer each other mutual support, and help each other to plan and manage their workloads.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Directors have recently expanded their governance arrangements and secured new members for their advisory board. The advisory board brings a wealth of expertise across quality assurance, inclusion, curriculum development and finance. Board members provide suitable support and challenge and ensure that directors maintain their sharp focus on apprentices’ experiences.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Directors ensure that they make decisions that are always in the best interests of apprentices. They put their needs first. They provide highly effective training and support for apprentices who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Directors maintain their expert knowledge of the sector. They continue to work as professionals in the information technology field and benefit from extensive professional learning and development. Directors continue to strengthen their knowledge of effective teaching and assessment practices. They recognise the importance of ongoing reflective practice in continuing to maintain high teaching standards.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices make rapid progress from their starting points and achieve very well, with two- thirds gaining a distinction. They quickly build their confidence, particularly when participating in and presenting at meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices develop a secure understanding of new concepts and apply their knowledge, skills, and behaviours confidently in the workplace. They develop swiftly in their job roles and demonstrate strong technical skills.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices consistently produce high-quality work that exceeds the level of study. In their projects and presentations, apprentices demonstrate a deep understanding and highly effective application of skills.

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Achievement Strong standard

The knowledge, skills, and behaviours that apprentices gain prepare them very well for their next steps. Apprentices understand clearly how to progress to higher levels of education, with some moving from level 3 to level 4 in software development.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Directors have a very secure and detailed understanding of the quality of the apprenticeships that they provide. They work highly effectively with employers to design and adapt the curriculum and training methods, ensuring apprentices make rapid and sustained progress.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Through strong partnerships with chambers of commerce, directors maintain a clear understanding of local and regional economic priorities. They respond very well to skills gaps by creating extensive opportunities for apprentices and preparing them exceptionally well for careers in the information technology sector.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Directors, who are experts in the digital field, keep their industry knowledge current and use this expertise to provide apprentices with highly relevant insights into a fast-paced sector. They consistently teach accurate technical language, enabling apprentices to communicate confidently and precisely about complex concepts.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Directors plan and sequence the curriculum logically, building effectively on apprentices’ prior knowledge and skills. They identify individual strengths and development needs accurately and design projects that deepen learning. Frequent teaching and assessment sessions allow apprentices to learn, practise and consolidate their knowledge.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Directors expertly employ a wide range of teaching strategies that help apprentices learn and retain new concepts. They revisit key ideas during review meetings and use questioning very skilfully to enable apprentices to apply and adapt their knowledge to workplace tasks.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Directors monitor apprentices’ progress rigorously and provide precise feedback that helps apprentices to improve. They ensure that the curriculum is inclusive and accessible, providing highly effective support for apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Participation and development Strong standard

Apprentices work and study in safe, respectful environments. Directors check apprentices' well-being regularly and hold monthly meetings to promote their health and wellbeing, including strategies to reduce isolation when working remotely.

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Participation and development Strong standard

Apprentices attend training regularly and, on the rare occasion they are absent, they provide legitimate reasons. They demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning and work, act professionally and show respect to peers and trainers. Employers value their contributions and the speed at which they become integral team members.

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Participation and development Strong standard

Directors deliver useful information on safeguarding, fundamental British values, healthy lifestyles and mental wellbeing during pastoral meetings. They discuss workplace safeguarding scenarios, bullying, harassment, current issues and how to access support. Apprentices appreciate these sessions and develop a strong understanding of these and their application at work and in the community.

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Participation and development Strong standard

Directors provide extensive opportunities for apprentices to gain additional sector-based qualifications, enhancing their employability. They also enable apprentices to take part in leadership development opportunities in the workplace. Employers give apprentices additional responsibility as part of teams working on workplace projects. Directors offer high-quality careers advice throughout the programme, including internships before enrolment and frequent updates on information technology sector developments and progression routes.

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What it's like to be a learner and/or an apprentice at this provider

Apprentices benefit from highly individualised training aligned with their personal goals and career aspirations. Before starting their apprenticeship, directors assess what apprentices already know and can do. They then tailor training to develop the specific knowledge and skills needed for workplace success. Apprentices value the relevant, up-to-date training delivered by experts, which meets the demands of the fast-paced and evolving information technology (IT) sector.

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What it's like to be a learner and/or an apprentice at this provider

Apprentices make rapid progress, gaining specialist knowledge, skills, and behaviours essential for the industry. Apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those requiring support in English and mathematics receive excellent highly tailored support. Almost all complete their apprenticeship successfully, with most achieving distinction grades. They apply their learning effectively in the workplace and quickly become confident, valued team members.

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What it's like to be a learner and/or an apprentice at this provider

Apprentices have access to a wide range of industry-standard training packages and resources, which broaden and deepen their expertise. These recognised packages enhance apprentices' career prospects and help them to diversify their skills. Throughout the programme, apprentices receive highly effective careers advice and guidance. Directors ensure that apprentices stay informed about industry developments so they can progress beyond their current roles. Through project-based training, apprentices take on defined responsibilities and contribute to developing services and products for employers.

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What it's like to be a learner and/or an apprentice at this provider

Beyond the IT curriculum, apprentices explore fundamental British values, healthy lifestyles, and mental wellbeing during pastoral sessions. They understand the risks of radicalisation and extremism and can identify potential threats to themselves and peers.

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What it's like to be a learner and/or an apprentice at this provider

The quality of training consistently exceeds apprentices’ expectations, motivating them to work hard. They acquire technical expertise, professional behaviours and adaptability, equipping them to thrive in the IT sector.

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Next steps

• Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain their work to ensure continued improvement and high standards. They should focus on creating a transformational impact on the outcomes and experiences of all apprentices.

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Facts and figures used on inspection

The data was used by the inspector(s) during the inspection. More recent data may have been published since the inspection took place.

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About this inspection

Following our updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with directors and members of the advisory board during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspectors confirmed the following information about the provider:

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About this inspection

Keibra has been a registered apprenticeship training provider since March 2023 and began training apprentices in May 2023. The company is managed by two directors, who also teach the apprentices. Directors employ some of the apprentices in their own business, with other apprentices based at two other local employers.

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About this inspection

Apprentices study the level 3 information communication technician, level 3 software development technician, level 3 cyber security technician, level 4 software developer or level 4 application support lead apprenticeships.

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About this inspection

Teaching and training is provided online and face to face at employers’ premises. All apprentices are aged over 19 years of age and are based in the North West.

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Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other providers can learn from it.

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Strong standard

The provider reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

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Expected standard

The provider is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

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Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

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Urgent improvement

The provider needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.

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Urgent improvement

services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

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Urgent improvement

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk . Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Urgent improvement

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

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