Introtrain & Forum Limited

Introtrain & Forum Limited

Address: Suite H, Kidlington Centre, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 2DL Unique reference number (URN): 1280298

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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 Expected standard

Leaders have successfully developed a culture of inclusion. Apprentices are well supported because staff take the time to get to know them. Leaders accurately identify apprentices’ starting points and ensure that training consultants implement teaching strategies that meet apprentices' needs.

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Inclusion Expected standard

Apprentices with identified needs receive well-considered, tailored support. Training consultants regularly evaluate the impact of their approaches. They adapt their support according to the apprentice's needs. For example, apprentices who require a reader early in their training develop their confidence so that in time the reader is no longer necessary.

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Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders recognise that they need to do more to embed inclusion across the organisation. For example, they have only recently identified a staff member to gain a higher-level qualification in support needs. Although all staff are now also undertaking further training, it is too early to evaluate the impact of these initiatives.

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Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders ensure that employers understand the needs of their apprentices well. Training consultants work closely with employers to ensure that apprentices receive the support they need to make good progress in their salons. For example, employers give breaks when needed to apprentices who experience stress.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders have embedded a culture in which all apprentices can thrive and make rapid progress, regardless of their starting points.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders generally understand their strengths and areas for improvement. They are well supported by an external governor who acts as a critical friend, providing a broader perspective and useful feedback on leaders' evaluations on the quality of training. Where leaders identify areas for development, they implement strategies that have mostly resulted in rapid improvements. However, they do not use apprentices’ feedback as well as they might. Leaders have not, for example, understood fully that their actions relating to embedding aspects of the personal development curriculum have not had the high level of impact that they thought.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders ensure that apprentices train in professional environments. They manage resources well, and the training facilities at the provider’s sites provide apprentices with access to industry-standard machinery, equipment and products.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

Staff feel valued and have a sense of belonging. Leaders manage staff workload effectively, and staff appreciate the small gestures that leaders make celebrating their successes.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

The ongoing training that staff carry out is well considered by managers. Staff benefit from regular training and updates on important topics such as safeguarding. Staff joining without a formal teaching qualification are supported to achieve this. Leaders identify individual development needs and implement high-quality training so that staff are continually enhancing their practice. For example, beauty therapy training consultants have undertaken courses so that they can teach business management to their level 3 apprentices.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices achieve extremely well, particularly at level 3. Those with barriers to learning achieve in line with their peers.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices work to a consistently high standard. They develop their technical skills well and expertly carry out a range of services and treatments, including manicures, massages and cutting, styling and colouring hair. They use tools and equipment safely and professionally. For example, they hold their scissors and comb correctly when cutting hair and they apply tint neatly and accurately. They understand the importance of creating a welcoming and professional environment and ensuring that the salon is well organised and ready to receive clients.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices needing English and mathematics qualifications make very good progress. They achieve their qualifications, the large majority at the first attempt.

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Achievement Strong standard

Apprentices rapidly gain confidence in their abilities during their training. As a result, they are ready for their next steps and move on to positive destinations.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Training consultants teach the curriculum in a way that enables apprentices to build their knowledge and skills rapidly over time. For example, hairdressing apprentices start by applying root regrowth tints and then quickly move on to more advanced foiling techniques. Training consultants use their extensive industry experience to ensure that apprentices understand how underpinning theoretical knowledge relates to their practical skills. For example, beauty therapy apprentices learn complex scientific concepts such as how the lymphatic system drains toxins during a massage.

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Expected standard

Leaders have developed excellent working relationships with their employers and are highly responsive to their needs. Leaders coordinate training extremely well with employers. This ensures that apprentices practise and consolidate in the workplace what they have learned. As a result, apprentices become proficient hairdressers, barbers and beauty therapists.

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Expected standard

Training consultants expertly ensure that apprentices understand the importance of health and safety and how they relate to their work. For example, hairdressing apprentices learn how to safely store and mix hair dyes. They know how to recognise poor scalp health and infections such as impetigo.

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Expected standard

Apprentices, particularly those with identified support needs, benefit from additional one-to- one time with training consultants to reinforce key concepts that they find more difficult. Training consultants assess apprentices' understanding accurately with well-structured questioning techniques, and they ensure that apprentices work on the areas that they need to improve.

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Expected standard

Training consultants develop apprentices’ numeracy, written and communication skills very well. For example, level 3 beauty therapy apprentices learn how to keep accurate accounts and manage their tax when running a business.

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Participation and development Expected standard

Apprentices attend well and rapidly develop their professional behaviours. For example, they understand the importance of working to commercial timings when carrying out their treatments. They apply themselves well and demonstrate resilience when tasks are difficult.

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Participation and development Expected standard

Most apprentices demonstrate an understanding of how to protect themselves from the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. They apply British values with confidence in their working lives. For example, they describe how to steer clients away from controversial topics, and they demonstrate respect for the beliefs and cultures of their clients. However, leaders have not embedded these aspects fully across all aspects of the curriculum, and a very small number of barbering apprentices are not secure in their understanding of the topics.

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Participation and development Expected standard

Younger apprentices benefit from the lessons that they have on healthy relationships. For example, they know how to recognise the signs of controlling behaviour. Apprentices have useful guidance on how to stay physically and mentally healthy. Level 2 beauty therapy apprentices receive highly effective support to understand and promote both physical and mental wellbeing, such as thinking about their posture when massaging and learning how to recognise signs of stress in themselves or others.

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Participation and development Expected standard

Apprentices value the guidance that supports them to move confidently to their next steps. Training consultants provide useful support for level 3 apprentices who are considering running their own salons. They support apprentices who are unable to continue with their current employer to ensure that they find an alternative position on completion of their training.

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

Apprentices, in particular those with barriers to learning or who have previously had a negative experience of education, gain in confidence and self-belief. They are highly motivated to succeed and they approach their training with enthusiasm. Leaders have created an environment in which apprentices feel safe and that is free from any forms of bullying, harassment or discrimination.

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

Apprentices benefit from the high-quality small group and one-to-one training that they receive. This supports them to develop both professionally and personally and ensures that they improve the quality of their work rapidly over time. Apprentices are readily able to put their theoretical knowledge into practice in their salons. They recall and use professional terminology with confidence, including terms relating to skin treatments such as exfoliation and desquamation.

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

Apprentices rapidly develop their professional behaviours and demonstrate a good work ethic that is reinforced when they work with their clients in the salons. They learn how to build good relationships with their employers and communicate effectively with their clients. They contribute to a positive working environment. Employers value the skills that apprentices bring to their businesses and frequently give apprentices extra responsibilities such as cashing up at the end of the day and mentoring new employees.

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

Apprentices benefit from a range of activities that they enjoy and that enhance their learning and widen their interests. For example, they have the opportunity to participate in annual styling competitions where they create a special occasion hairstyle.

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

Apprentices are ambitious for their future. Training consultants encourage them to have high aspirations. As a result, nearly all level 2 apprentices carry on their training at a higher level. Level 3 apprentices move into permanent employment, often with more responsibility and higher paid roles, or they set up their own salon businesses.

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Next steps

Leaders should use apprentices’ feedback to identify more swiftly where their improvement actions are not having the desired impact. Leaders should ensure that all apprentices benefit fully from the personal development curriculum. Leaders should continue the work they are already doing to improve further staff expertise in supporting apprentices with barriers to learning.

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Team inspectors:

Philip Elliott, Ofsted Inspector Susan Gay, Ofsted Inspector

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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 renewed 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 apprentices, leaders, training consultants and employers 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

Leaders offer apprenticeship standards at levels 2 and 3. Around two-thirds of apprentices are working towards the level 2 hairdressing standard, with smaller numbers on level 3 hairdressing, level 2 and level 3 beauty therapy and level 2 barbering. More than half of the apprentices are aged 16 to 18, and a large proportion of these need to take qualifications in English and/or mathematics. Leaders provide training in small groups at their centres around Oxford or individually in the salons where the apprentices are employed.

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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 .

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Urgent improvement

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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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