Ofsted residential post-inspection plan

Ofsted’s Recommendations

Comments/Progress

Suitable sleeping accommodation is provided for residential students. In particular, ensure that bunk beds are not too small for some students. (Further education residential accommodation: national minimum standards page 8, paragraph 5.1)

Background

·        43 out of the 605 rooms (7%) that make up the Hartpury College accommodation have bunk beds. Some students have asked for bunk beds as part of the accommodation allocation process.

·        The mattress size (a standard single size), and therefore the bed size, is the same for all Hartpury College student accommodation. 

·        Bunkbeds have been in place for a considerable period of time, which includes the last 3 Ofsted Residential Inspections where they were deemed to be in-line with the National Minimum Standards. 

·        There has been no change to the National Minimum Standards in this area since our last residential provision inspection in 2019 when Hartpury was rated Outstanding.

·        Our literature is clear that we offer bunk beds in one of our accommodation blocks, this is on our website, our accommodation virtual tours, our accommodation home guide and our accommodation application form. 

Hartpury next steps

·        Gather feedback from residential students in bunk beds so we get a full understanding of their impact.

·        Gather feedback from parents of students in Dingle 1.

·        Consider whether any changes to the room layout in Dingle 1 would accommodate single beds.

·        Engage with furniture suppliers to consider alternative room layouts.

·        Review literature to consider whether any enhancements are necessary.

·        We will continue to monitor National Minimum standards and ensure all our bed sizes continue to meet these standards.

Progress

·        We have already spoken with 2 furniture suppliers who have provided us with alternative solutions. Once this is fully costed, this will be reviewed by the Senior Management Team and any changes will be in place for planned on a phased basis from September 2023.

·        We have started the process of feedback gathering.

Any use of surveillance equipment (e.g., CCTV cameras) or patrolling of buildings or grounds for security purposes does not intrude unreasonably on residents’ privacy, is known to students and their parents, and is compliant with legislative requirements / restrictions. Ensure that students are safeguarded and their right to privacy protected. (Further education residential accommodation: national minimum standards page 9, paragraph 5.8)

Background

·        CCTV cameras have been in place in communal areas of the residential accommodation for a number of years and were in place for previous residential provision inspections where this was not raised as a concern and was considered by the inspectors to be non-intrusive. 

·        In the Rudgeley and New Vicarage blocks, the CCTV cameras are located only in the foyer/door access areas.  Cameras are placed in corridors and stairwells in the larger halls that are sub-divided into male and female sections. 

·        Body cameras were formally introduced during the Covid-19 Pandemic to help reinforce the additional legal requirements in-force during this time (e.g., Rule of Six).   

·        Signage is in place on campus and students/parents/carers sign an agreement of understanding as part of our coming to Hartpury processes to acknowledge the use of CCTV and body cameras (College Rules & Regulations).  Hartpury fully understands the importance of protecting the privacy of students and there are no cameras in private bedrooms/bathrooms.  To-date, we have not received any negative feedback from parents regarding the use of CCTV.  IT Acceptable Use, CCTV and Body Camera policies are all in place. 

·        To further demonstrate our understanding and commitment of student privacy, privacy glass has been installed in some of our accommodation blocks adjacent to the new student restaurant. 

Hartpury next steps

·        Carry out monthly checks to ensure that camera positions remain the same.

·        Commission an external review of our CCTV Policy.

·        Review our student/parental documentation regarding CCTV cameras to ensure explicit in our use (Residential Handbook, Accommodation Licence etc).

·        Ensure clear signage in residential blocks.

·        Review student and parent induction presentations to ensure messaging is clear re the use of CCTV cameras.

·        Refresher training for all staff that use CCTV.

Progress

·        Subsequent to this Ofsted Residential Inspection visit, the use of body cameras and the locations of all of our CCTV cameras have been reviewed to ensure the privacy of students is fully respected.  As a result, the use of body cameras has been discontinued.

·        Monthly checks of CCTV positions have been put in place.

·        A review of our CCTV policy is in progress and will be reviewed by the Executive Team in February. The CCTV policy will then be uploaded on to the Hartpury website.

·        Signage reviewed and any changes will be in place by end February.

Any staff member or volunteer employed or volunteering in a position working with residential students has a job description reflecting their duties, receives induction training in residence when newly appointed, and receives regular reviews of their residential practice, with opportunities for training and continual professional development in relation to residence. In particular, ensure that residential support workers receive the relevant training to meet the students’ current needs. (Further education residential accommodation: national minimum standards page 15, paragraph 15.1)

Background

·        Within the Residential Support Team, 7 members of staff including the 3 Managers already engage with external reflection of their practice. 

·        The following additional formal opportunities are provided to enable development and reflection: 

o   Weekly Safeguarding Meeting – Residential Managers and Deputies attend plus Deputy Principal Resources and Deputy Principal FE. 

o   Reflection Practice meetings – twice termly – all Managers and Deputies involved in residential provision. 

o   De-briefing sessions are held where needed with the Residential Support Team members involved with an incident, the Safeguarding Team and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL is also the senior leader responsible for the residential provision.  External supervision sessions are always offered during these sessions, and these are targeted in accordance with the incident. Robust annual appraisal process (although this is recognised in the report). 

·        Work is currently being undertaken in collaboration with an external training provider to develop an accredited training programme to professionalise residential staff.  During this inspection visit the Lead Inspector commented that this was excellent practice and could be shared nationally. 

·        All residential night team members complete ongoing training on safeguarding, supporting students. with mental health and wellbeing, Prevent, tackling hate, and equality and diversity as well as any further specialised training related to their specific roles.

·        The topics identified by the inspection team (county lines, gangs) are all embedded within our safeguarding training.  Staff within the residential provision undertake safeguarding training every two years which is provided in a workshop setting. 

Hartpury next steps

·        Any training gaps to be addressed in accordance with Residential Support Team training matrix particularly for new starters.

·        Monitor external supervision in place/check in with staff to ensure it continues to support their needs.

·        Consideration being given to external supervision provider attending 4 Residential Support Team meetings per academic year for group reflective practice.

·        Progress work with external training provider re accreditation of a training package for Residential Support Staff.

Progress

·        During the inspection, our external provider was contacted, and external reflection of practice. meetings were put in place the remaining Residential Support Team members.

·        Additional training delivered by an external provider has taken place, January 2023, covering mental health, suicide awareness, having challenging student conversations and self-care.

The staff supervising residential students outside teaching time are sufficient in number, training and experience for the age, number and needs of residential students, and the locations and activities involved. In particular, review the staffing arrangements in the evenings and overnight to ensure satisfactory arrangements in line with this national minimum standard (Further education residential accommodation: national minimum standards page 15, paragraph 15.4)

Background

·        Our 2019 Ofsted Residential Report where we were graded Outstanding stated: “Students have access to over 26 wardens on a rota basis and they say that wardens are consistently approachable and very responsive.  There is an out of hours duty system that now includes access to a night nurse.  This means that students receive timely care and support when needed.  This reassures them and promotes their safety and wellbeing.”  The number of staff was deemed suitable and sufficient in the 2019 report and since then we have enhanced the evening/night provision by: 

Ø  An additional new evening Residential Support Officer post. 

Ø  An Evening Wellbeing Enrichment Support Worker. 

Ø  Additional hours so that the out-of-hours nursing provision is available on a Saturday. 

Ø  3 new Residential Support Assistants and an additional 3 evening Residential Support Officers (these are academic members of staff).  This provides more robust support than the previous model and gives extra cover to the Duty Team. 

Ø  An additional Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (now 2 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads) on the on-call 24/7 safeguarding number. 

Ø  The Head of Residential Support, Deputy Head of Residential Support and Senior Residential Support Officer, all of whom live on site, on an on-call rota.

Hartpury next steps

·        Undertake a review of our evening/night staffing cover and put in place any structural changes to meet the Ofsted recommendations, in addition to the enhancements above.

Progress

·        Adverts are out for the recruitment of additional posts.

·        Work has commenced on a review to support a restructure of roles and responsibilities.

Appendix 2 -List of records. The following records are required, but this list represents the minimum rather than an exhaustive list: child protection allegations or concerns. In particular, ensure that safeguarding and concern records are easily accessible and audited regularly. (Further education residential accommodation: national minimum standards page 21, Appendix 2, point 1)

Background

Wellbeing Staff receive regular 1:1’s with their Line Manager and external supervision where they review any open concerns relating to their student caseload.  In addition to these regular reviews for open concerns relating to students, the staff also conduct an annual review of concerns that have been recorded relating to peer on peer/child on child abuse, sexual abuse and harassment and mental health.  Any gaps in outcomes following the audit of filed concerns were addressed with additional staff training and reflective feedback via their Line Managers. This is further strengthened by discussion in the weekly Safeguarding Meeting.   

Hartpury next steps

·        Head of Safeguarding & Wellbeing to review current audit process and recommend and implement necessary changes.

Progress

·        Work has begun on strengthening our audit process.