We achieved an overall quality of provision grade 2, or "good"
in our Ofsted inspection.
The inspection, which took place in May 2010, focused on both
YMCA Training's young learner and employer-based provision.
Inspectors used a variety of methods during the inspection, such
as group and individual interviews, telephone calls and emails, to
assess the level of service provided.
They also looked at questionnaires which learners and employers
had recently completed on behalf of YMCA Training, and observed
learning sessions, assessments and progress reviews before
collecting evidence from programmes in each of YMCA Training's
subject areas.
The overall results are as follows:
Main inspection report
Capacity to make and sustain improvement - Grade 2
Outcomes for learners - Grade 2
The quality of provision - Grade 2
Leadership and management - Grade 2
Subject areas
Child development and well being - Grade 2
Employability training - Grade 3
Highlights from the inspector's report
include:
"Learners receive outstanding individual and personal support.
Learners make
excellent use of individual support and advice on practical issues
to help them
access and complete their courses. Staff have very good links with
external
support agencies and are very effective at judging when it is
appropriate to
refer learners for specialist advice and guidance. Support staff
have a very good
understanding of learners' specific difficulties and/or
disabilities and learners
generally make good progress. For example, YMCA Training staff
successfully
negotiated a part-time programme for one learner in a carefully
selected work
setting, to enable the learner to remain on programme. Learners
receive very
good initial information and advice to help them choose the most
appropriate
programme."
"Care, guidance and support are outstanding. YMCA Training has a
culture of
care and support within the organisation which is highly valued by
learners and
employers. Trainers proactively encourage personal growth and
development
alongside achievement of the award. The provision is very well
planned to
provide progression routes from pre-16 to level 4."
"Attention to health and safety is good and learners say they
feel safe. A good range of activities supports the understanding of
healthy living and enables learners to contribute well to the local
and wider community."
"Arrangement for safeguarding learners are good. Robust
procedures support a clear and detailed policy for the safeguarding
of children and vulnerable adults."
"Teaching, learning and assessment clearly focus on meeting
individual needs through thorough initial assessment, good teaching
with high quality learning materials and very effective support to
develop literacy and numeracy skills."
"The provider is particularly good at working with a wide range
of partners to engage with prospective learners from disadvantaged
groups and guide them onto the most appropriate programme. The
level of support for those learners on a programme is
excellent."
Our full Ofsted report can be found
here.