Access Skills Ltd

Access Skills Ltd Colbart Square, 12th Floor, 83-85 Hagley Road, Birmingham, West Midlands B16 8QG

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report:

At the most recent full inspection, the following areas were identified as needing to improve:  Provide good support for those learners who fall behind in their learning, which enables them to catch up and pass their qualification.  Increase the proportion of apprentices who achieve their qualifications.  Increase adult learners’ attendance at online webinars.

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report:

During the monitoring inspection, inspectors focused on the following themes:  What progress have leaders and managers made in providing good support for those learners who fall behind in their learning, enabling them to catch up and pass their qualification?  What progress have leaders and managers made in increasing the proportion of apprentices who achieve their qualifications?  What progress have leaders and managers made in increasing adult learners’ attendance at online webinars?

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up and pass their qualification? (Curriculum, Teaching and Training)

Since the previous inspection, leaders have implemented a range of strategies to support learners who are significantly beyond their planned end dates. Tutors quickly developed new assessment plans with clear target completion dates, allowing learners to plan their time carefully and catch up on their learning, moving them rapidly towards completing their qualifications.

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up and pass their qualification? (Curriculum, Teaching and Training)

Leaders revised the online training courses, providing more recent learners with a detailed induction process, academic writing support and regular tutorials to monitor progress. Learners access webinars and attend optional sessions linked to their learning plans. As a result, learners who enrolled in later cohorts remain on track and feel confident they will finish on time. Monitoring inspection report: Access Skills Ltd 29 and 30 April 2026

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Leaders have implemented a revised process for tracking learners’ progress. They meet fortnightly to discuss learner progress and agree on interventions. These interventions help learners catch up more quickly, supporting more learners to achieve on time.

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Learners value the regular contact they have with staff. Tutors regularly review progress, discuss goals and set targets to help learners maintain their progress. These reviews help learners stay on track and, if they fall behind, motivate them to re-engage, catch up and succeed.

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of apprentices who achieve their qualifications? (Achievement)

At the time of the previous inspection, leaders decided to pause the enrolment of apprentices. Leaders explain that this decision was based on the needs of the employers that the provider supports. Leaders are now focusing on increasing the number of opportunities for adult learners through the adult learner loan scheme and offering more commercial courses.

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of apprentices who achieve their qualifications? (Achievement)

Leaders have considered all the recommendations in the previous Ofsted report and have developed a quality improvement plan to strengthen the support apprentices and learners receive to complete their qualification. Tutors carefully monitor apprentices’ progress and hold encouraging intervention meetings if they fall behind with their work.

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of apprentices who achieve their qualifications? (Achievement)

Managers and tutors have also worked closely with apprentices who are beyond their planned end date. However, a large proportion of apprentices have decided not to complete their programme for reasons such as changes in employment and difficulties balancing work responsibilities and studying. The provider has offered support to help apprentices find alternative study options.

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of apprentices who achieve their qualifications? (Achievement)

Despite this, leaders’ actions have resulted in apprentices’ achievement rates improving, and the small number of apprentices who remain on programme are on track to complete.

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attendance at online webinars? (Participation and development)

Since the previous inspection, learners’ attendance at online webinars has improved. Leaders have developed a comprehensive schedule of learning opportunities and are actively promoting these to all learners.

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attendance at online webinars? (Participation and development)

Leaders have also increased the number of opportunities for learners and apprentices to interact with their tutors. Industry experts and care sector managers facilitate online masterclasses to ensure learners develop a wider understanding of the care sector. Classes include a range of industry relevant topics, such as working with the Care Quality Commission, safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and understanding the youth justice system. Monitoring inspection report: Access Skills Ltd 29 and 30 April 2026

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Leaders have begun developing more robust systems to track learners’ attendance across all the training opportunities they offer. This includes monitoring attendance at live webinars and tutorials, and learners’ participation in offline learning activities. Managers are currently developing comprehensive workbooks to complement learners’ taught sessions. Leaders recognise that managers in the care sector work unsociable hours and have adapted arrangements, so learners can meet with tutors while they are working.

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Additional next steps

Leaders should continue their work to rectify the areas identified as needing improvement in the full inspection report.

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About this inspection

This is the first monitoring inspection following publication of the inspection report on 23 July 2025, which found the provider to be requires improvement overall.

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About this inspection

The provider’s previous first monitoring 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 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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inspection

Monitoring inspection report: Access Skills Ltd 29 and 30 April 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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