SSE Services PLC

At the most recent full inspection, the following areas were identified as requiring improvement:

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 Make sure learner team managers direct apprentices to sufficient opportunities to apply, practise and hone their knowledge and skills in the workplace.  Prepare apprentices for their final assessments, so that more pass at the first attempt.  Reduce the proportion of apprentices who leave their apprenticeship early.  Improve the consistency of feedback to apprentices so they understand how to improve the standard of their work.

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During the monitoring inspection, inspectors focused on the following themes:

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 Theme 1: How much progress leaders have made to ensure apprentices have sufficient on-the-job training opportunities to apply and practise and hone their newly taught knowledge, skills and behaviours at work.

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 Theme 2: How much progress leaders have made to improve apprentices’ preparation for their final assessments so that they achieve well, in particular those who are disadvantaged, those with SEND or high needs, those who are known (or previously known) to social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing, including those without level 2 English and/or mathematics.

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 Theme 3 : How much progress leaders have made to reduce the proportion of apprentices who leave their apprenticeship early, in particular those who are disadvantaged, those with SEND or high needs, those who are known (or previously known) to social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing, including those without level 2 English and/or mathematics.

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 Theme 4: How much progress leaders have made to improve the quality of feedback to apprentices to improve the standard of their work. SSE Services PLC Training Department, SSE Services PLC, Robert Brown House, Pipers Way, Thatcham RG19 4AZ

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report:

21 and 22 January 2026 Monitoring inspection report: SSE Services PLC 21 and 22 January 2026

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training)

Leaders’ actions to improve apprentices’ experiences in on-the-job training have been highly effective. They make sure assessors and line managers work closely and plan apprentices’ on-and-off-the-job training seamlessly. Where opportunities to practise or train are not available at some apprentices’ depots, line managers and assessors act swiftly and successfully to put alternative arrangements in place.

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training)

Leaders, including those at senior level, and staff scrutinise apprentices’ progress closely to assure themselves that training is purposeful and of high quality.

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training)

Because of leaders’ actions to improve on-the-job training, apprentices complete demanding workplace tasks, deepen their knowledge and refine their technical skills. They produce work of a high standard. They are prepared thoroughly for their current job roles.

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mathematics. (Curriculum, teaching and training, achievement)

Leaders’ actions to improve apprentices’ preparation for final assessments have been highly effective.

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mathematics. (Curriculum, teaching and training, achievement)

Assessors now provide apprentices with high-quality resources that help apprentices understand how they will be prepared for their final assessments. Leaders have introduced training for staff on assessment so that assessors replicate closely the questions and experiences apprentices have in their final assessments.

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mathematics. (Curriculum, teaching and training, achievement)

Assessors complete detailed site visits and observations of apprentices in the workplace. They take considerable care in helping them to prepare for the practical requirements of final assessments, such as safety inspections of electricity substations.

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mathematics. (Curriculum, teaching and training, achievement)

Assessors now provide apprentices and their line managers with consistently high-quality feedback so they can practise specific skills and focus their revision on topics they need to improve.

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mathematics. (Curriculum, teaching and training, achievement)

Apprentices are very confident about their final assessments because of the preparation leaders and staff have put in place. Apprentices’ final assessment outcomes have improved substantially, and most achieve highly as a result. Monitoring inspection report: SSE Services PLC 21 and 22 January 2026

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and/or mathematics. (Achievement, leadership and governance)

Leaders identified that apprentices were being recruited without being clear on the apprenticeship programme or who were not wholly suited for this type of training. In response, they have made significant improvements to their initial assessment and enrolment processes. Staff now check apprentices’ understanding and suitability for the apprenticeship closely.

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and/or mathematics. (Achievement, leadership and governance)

Leaders set very high standards for professional behaviours and safe working. Apprentices fulfil these very well and very few leave the business through non- compliance.

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and/or mathematics. (Achievement, leadership and governance)

Assessors and line managers provide very effective and highly tailored support to apprentices, including for those who are disadvantaged. Apprentices who need extra help receive regular additional contact from staff, they attend further learning sessions and benefit greatly from coaching on practical skills. This helps apprentices to stay on track with their work.

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and/or mathematics. (Achievement, leadership and governance)

As a result of the very effective and sustainable actions leaders have taken, the proportion of apprentices who leave their training early has declined considerably.

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training)

Leaders’ actions to improve the quality of feedback apprentices receive have been very successful. Assessors and line managers now give feedback that is clearer and more precise so apprentices now exactly how to improve their work. Assessors and line managers now set appropriately challenging objectives for apprentices and have high expectations that apprentices will meet these targets, which the vast majority do and to a high level. As a result, apprentices make rapid and significant improvements to their work.

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Additional next steps

Leaders should continue to work to address the areas identified as needing improvement in the full inspection report. Monitoring inspection report: SSE Services PLC 21 and 22 January 2026

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About this inspection

This is the first monitoring inspection following publication of the inspection report on 24 July 2025 which found the provider to be requires improvement overall.

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About this inspection

The provider’s previous full inspection was carried out under the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) at that time. The renewed EIF took effect from 10 November 2025. The areas for improvement identified at the provider’s full inspection and subsequent monitoring inspection have been cross-referenced to relevant evaluation areas in the inspection toolkit for consideration on this monitoring inspection.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this monitoring inspection was not to determine grades for any of the evaluation areas set out in the further education and skills inspection toolkit. The purpose was to identify and report on the provider’s progress in addressing the areas identified as needing to improve since the provider’s previous inspection.

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Team inspector

Carolyn Brownsea His Majesty’s Inspector Monitoring inspection report: SSE Services PLC 21 and 22 January 2026

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needs funding at time of inspection

Monitoring inspection report: SSE Services PLC 21 and 22 January 2026

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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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