Portland College

Portland College Nottingham Road, Portland College, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 4TJ

p.1

inspection report:

During the focused monitoring inspection, inspectors considered the following evaluation area. This was due to concerns raised to Ofsted about the provider.

p.1

Leadership and governance

Governors have appropriate oversight of safeguarding arrangements. The safeguarding governor meets at least termly with the designated safeguarding lead and undertakes useful site visits. This allows governors to triangulate the information that they receive from leaders. Governors are informed of any safeguarding concerns or cases. They challenge leaders to ensure that the right actions are taken in response.

p.1

Leadership and governance

Leaders and staff have an accurate oversight of learners’ attendance. Progression tutors and learning mentors know their learners well and have robust communication channels with parents, carers and other multi-agency staff.

p.1

Leadership and governance

Leaders ensure that there are sufficient resources to attend to the personal care needs of learners. Facilities are accessible to wheelchair users, with sufficient hoists, grab rails and well-stocked supplies. The recently developed specialist sites at Forest Road and Woodborough have been carefully designed by leaders and staff. They are accessible, well-designed spaces that provide learners with a calm environment in which to learn.

p.1

Safeguarding

Leaders have suitable safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The safeguarding team is appropriately qualified and visible. All campuses have their own designated safeguarding lead, deputies and safeguarding professionals. Staff understand how to report concerns and leaders understand well the importance of referring concerns to relevant agencies when required.

p.1

Safeguarding

Mostly, staff capture and record information relating to any safeguarding concerns accurately. Leaders know and understand how their tracking systems work, although in Monitoring inspection report: Portland College 25 March 2026

p.1

2

a few instances, information on individual safeguarding cases is split up and saved in more than one place. This makes it harder for leaders to easily track actions and updates for each case.

p.2

2

Staff benefit from a wide range of suitable training to help them to support the complex needs of their learners. New staff follow a thorough induction plan, which includes key information about safeguarding policies and procedures.

p.2

2

Where necessary, learners have an individual risk assessment which identifies accurately the support they need. Those with more significant behavioural support needs have thorough and helpful positive behaviour plans. Learners are well supported when they attend college. Staff know them well.

p.2

2

The nurse practitioner has a comprehensive oversight of medication and there are a suitable policies and procedures for the management of it. Staff involved in administering medicines are suitably trained.

p.2

Additional next steps

Leaders and those responsible for governance should, in addition to the next steps raised at the provider’s last full inspection:

p.2

Additional next steps

 Ensure that records of safeguarding cases are consistently collated, so that those staff who need to can quickly and easily gain a full oversight of any individual cases.

p.2

About this inspection

This inspection was conducted under Chapter 3 of Part 8 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and in accordance with Ofsted’s published procedures for focused monitoring inspections. The inspection was carried out because concerns had been raised with Ofsted about safeguarding.

p.2

About this inspection

The purpose of this monitoring inspection was not to determine grades for any of the evaluation areas, but to look into the concerns that caused Ofsted to decide to inspect the provider.

p.2

Team inspector

Julie Ashton Sarah Biddulph His Majesty’s Inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Monitoring inspection report: Portland College 25 March 2026

p.2

needs funding at time of inspection

Monitoring inspection report: Portland College 25 March 2026

p.4

4

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.

p.4

4

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 .

p.4

4

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 .

p.4

4

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

4

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

p.4