Learning Curve Group’s (LCG) subsidiary, Northern Care Training (NCT), has been rated GOOD overall by Ofsted in its most recent inspection which took place in June 2023.
Acquired by LCG in 2018, NCT provide Apprenticeships and Adult Learning Programme provisions across the UK. Only two Independent Training Providers have been graded Outstanding by Ofsted for their adult education this academic year, both of which have been subsidiaries of Learning Curve Group.
Ofsted graded the provision ‘Outstanding’ in four out of six inspected areas and commented that “Learners and apprentices benefit from a welcoming and respectful atmosphere provided by supportive coaches and tutors”.
Areas in which the provider excelled with an outstanding rating were Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Adult Learning Programmes. The Quality of Education and Apprenticeships were rated good.
Inspectors acknowledged how the training programmes that have been devised to respond to national skills needs. The provider works closely with employers and local authorities to identify skills gaps and provide the training solution to help individuals upskill, help employers with recruitment, and reduce the national unemployment figures.
The report commended the behaviours and attitudes that are instilled in learners on the NCT programmes, stating that “Learners and apprentices are highly motivated and have positive attitudes to learning. They are keen to progress towards their career goals”. They also praised the high attendance of apprentices and learners.
The largest of flexible online courses that are undertaken by individuals are in counselling skills, introduction to neuroscience in early years, and understanding autism whilst the majority of apprentices study the care worker level 2 and 3 standards.
Acknowledging the leadership and management effort within LCG, inspectors said “[they] have created a culture that promotes opportunities for learners and apprentices to develop their interests and skills successfully. Learners and apprentices carry out volunteer roles in addition to their demanding work.
Leaders show considerable commitment to meeting the skills needs of the health and social care sector nationally through providing training and education to new and existing staff. They make good use of labour market information to identify national needs.”
Brenda McLeish OBE DL, CEO of LCG, has said “We are absolutely delighted to have our Adult Learning Provision rated as Outstanding, and our Apprenticeship provision rated as Good, in our recent Ofsted inspection. With four outstanding elements out of six, we are thrilled to see our efforts in providing the highest quality education and skills training materialise.
I am extremely grateful to our Purple People, the employees of LCG, for their incredibly hard work over the period of the inspection, and every day within their roles. To have our culture and staff morale praised by inspectors makes me very proud indeed.”
LCG has now received seven Ofsted inspections since November 2021, achieving Good and Outstanding ratings with a significant volume of Outstanding elements.
Inspectors also commented on how “Tutors and coaches are well qualified and highly experienced in their field. Coaches work with employers to ensure that they develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that employers need their apprentices to have. They include specific training to meet individual employer needs, such as training on substance misuse and mental health.
Tutors and coaches plan and sequence the curriculum well.”
Ofsted inspectors praised the inspiring culture within LCG yet again, as they commented “Leaders and managers support staff well and are very conscious of their work-life balance. They invest heavily in development of their staff.”
The safeguarding arrangements at LCG have been consistently commended in the last several Ofsted inspections, with inspectors commenting that “Leaders and managers foster an effective safeguarding culture within the organisation.
[they] have recruited designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) throughout the organisation who are well qualified and experienced to carry out the roles effectively”.
Find out more about Learning Curve Group offer in their Apprenticeship and Adult Learning Provision here.
