Learning the lessons of inspection - Talisman the newspaper for learning + skills

With the new inspection framework which started in September, Ofsted inspectors have been trialling the changes with a number of different providers. John Leggott College, a high achieving sixth form college in Scunthorpe, took part in the pilots.

Read more about the inspection pilots and what the new inspection framework and arrangements mean to all. pages 5-12

NTN “Top 10” - September 2009

The NTN “Top 10” is a list of topics which we hope are of interest to people in education and training.  The “Top 10” can be used as a prompt for you to discuss in meetings with your colleagues or simply to help you keep up to date with the ever changing developments. 

This months covers:

1) 14-19
2) Diplomas
3) LSIS Update
4) Foundation Learning
5) Functional Skills  
6) Common Inspection Framework September 2009 - Provision inspected under the common inspection framework
7) Awards and Grads –
8) Local Initiatives – Bulwell EAZ
9) Safeguarding
10) Spotlight on…. Minimum Wage

To view the Top Ten click here

If you would like any further information on any of the Top 10, or if you would like to add an item to the next Top 10 please contact Christine Coxon at NTN on 01623 404 341 or email her at
christine@ntn –wbl.org.uk

Unique vocational training centre launched in Mansfield

Read more

Access Training Staff Trainer Short Listed For Star Award

Lorraine Nicholson, Staff Training Co-ordinator at Access Training has reached the final round of the LSIS Star Awards and has been invited to the ceremony in London in November where the winners will be announced. She was nominated for the Workforce Development Award by her colleague, Amanda Wain, Care Manager who decided that Lorraine’s commitment was “above and beyond”.
Already fully stretched by her usual work load, Lorraine had to increase her hours in order to ensure that the company met its commitment to having all teaching staff professionally qualified within 3 years. She planned a programme of after work sessions, persuaded staff of the benefits of attending and started with a class of 18 in June 2008. So successful was she that by March 2009, 12 members of staff were fully qualified and were able to collect their certificates from John Endersby at the Access Training Celebration Event in May of this year.
“There were plenty of tears and tantrums during the course, most of them mine” said Lorraine, “but I felt like a proud parent when I saw them receive their awards”. Lorraine joined the company in 2000 as an IT tutor and was promoted to Training Co- Ordinator in 2004. Her strengths are in her skills in giving staff the confidence to engage learners of mixed abilities and encouraging the use of active learning strategies. Lorraine has two teenage boys, both of whom are keen footballers and is never happier than when shouting encouragement to them from the touchline.

Lorraine working with Jackie Loftus, Animal Care Team Leader who obtained her Certificate in Teaching in the Life Long Learning Sector (CTLLS) Level 4 with Lorraine’s help

JHP Team Leader Vicky Gale.

Vicky was put forward for a JHP award for Inspiring Achievement AND WON! The picture shows Vicky and Chairman Mr Pitman presenting her with the award.

Vicky is a Team Leader at Nottingham Centre and was put forward for the award because of the overall dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and humour she shows on a daily basis to support both learners and her colleagues to achieve their goals.
This is an extract from the award application we put forward for her:

Vicky is an outstanding Team Leader who exhibits professionalism, enthusiasm, efficiency and inspires the Nottingham Child Care Learning and Development team to reach their targets and develop their own skills which impacts on the company by improving the quality of service and best practice of the team. It is through Vicky’s approachability, active listening skills, mentoring and “call me any time” attitude with her team that demonstrates her ability to inspire others to achieve their targets and grow in confidence in their own abilities.

Regards
Cath Mayfield
Centre Manager

Quality Corner.

Given that I am now a regular feature of the E-bulletin I am taking this opportunity to report on set items as well as highlighting a specific topic each edition.

Compliments and Complaints. 
For the period July and August 2009, NTN recorded 6 compliments, 2 of which were in reference to the newsletter.  No complaints have been recorded.

Improvement actions
5 Improvement actions have been implemented for the period July and August 2009.  These included altering the supplier of printing materials and catering and using free compatibility software instead of buying new IT licences to upgrade our software.  All have brought about tangible cost savings and benefits to NTN.

Peer Review
NTN will be facilitating a new Peer Review initiative within the Train to Gain Consortia.  Peer Review training is scheduled for October 2nd.  Annette Temple will still be supporting this project however I will be the main point of contact for Peer Review going forward. Peer Review support documentation will be available on the NTN website from the middle of October.  Please feel free to review and download this information.
Feedback from the host and participants of the previous Peer Review group will be discussed at the Quality Group meeting being held on October 7th. The group will also discuss the future and focus of Peer Review.  Minutes will be included with the next E-bulletin.

4) Quality Group
It has been suggested that the Quality Group incorporates a specific theme for review in each meeting such as ECM, Safeguarding, Leadership and Management etc. The last meeting concentrated on Learning Observation styles from which the minutes are attached. To this end I would gladly welcome any topics you would like to feed in to, and the Quality Group to discuss. Minutes from meetings will be available on the E-bulletin.
Minutes from the last Quality Group Meeting 15th July 09

TQS
A full day workshop focusing on Part A of the Standard was run on October 15th.  Carol Probyn facilitated this event.  The agenda included the certification process, the importance of the application and its context, the assessment and scoring framework and evidence required.

Member Feedback
At the time of this bulletin NTN have only received evaluation forms and feedback from 5 of our members. In order to provide a service which both meets and exceeds your expectations and is flexible and responsive to your changing requirements, we need your honest, constructive feedback.  We want to know what we are doing well, what we need to improve and what you would like from the membership service, now and in the future.
Please contact Jane Hearne with your feedback.

Hot topic-Safeguarding
I recently attended a training day on Robust SAR Writing and Updates to the Common Inspection Framework. One of the key messages I took away from that session was the importance of Safeguarding. Being brand new to this industry sector and the concept of Safeguarding I decided to investigate further. I hope the information I located proves useful and helpful.

6a) Training
Free training is provided by LSIS including Facilitator Training and Face to Face Safeguarding and Recruitment, although places are scarce. Further information can be accessed through their E-learning resource if you are unable to secure a space. Please contact safeguarding@lsis.org.uk for more details.

Additional training is available from SAMCAT (Safeguarding Adults and Mental Capacity Act Team)
The Training for Trainers course is being held on the following dates:
13th November 2009     -    Forever Green, Ransom Wood Business Park, Mansfield
11th December 2009     -    Denewood Training centre, Bilborough, Nottingham
24th February 2010       -    Rufford Mill, Rufford Park, Notts

More information can be found on their website www.safeguardingadultsnotts.org

6b) Resources
Free resources and materials can be found on the following website including a PDF download titled “Safer Practice, Safer Learning.”
http://shop.niace.org.uk/safer-practice.html
Leaflets and posters on safeguarding can be ordered as per the information below,
however we do have some stock at NTN.  Also available is a CD with the above mentioned PDF download and leaflets.

Leaflet (standard): 00494-2007LEF-EN    Leaflet (accessible): 00491-2007LEF-EN

The DIUS Publications Orderline
Opening hours: 08:30 to 17:30
Tel. 0845-602 8032
Fax. 01375 484556
Minicom 0845-015 0030

Postal address for enquiries is:
DIUS Publications Orderline
PO Box 362, Europa Park, Grays, RH17 9AY

Kind regards

Caroline@ntn-wbl.org.uk

Meet The NTN Team - Train To Gain Manager

Hi all,

I am the Train to Gain Manager at NTN and live and breathe all things Train to Gain! You know me pretty well already but I have been roped into doing the ‘getting to know me’ section for this month so here goes…

On a personal note - A quick snapshot etc                   

Thank goodness that is over! If you have any queries regarding Train to Gain, LSC funding, September Guarantee or quality improvement please feel free to give me a call on 01623 404341 or email me lisa@ntn-wbl.org.uk

Kind regards,