A TEACHING programme for trainee health care workers has been deemed inadequate by inspectors.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) provides support services for mental health, learning disabilities and eating disorders across County Durham, the Tees Valley, York and North Yorkshire.

TEWV began teaching levy-funded apprentices from within the trust in 2017.

The Ofsted report highlighted that the quality of education is inadequate along with the leadership and management and the apprenticeships.

Students’ personal development requires improvement, inspectors said.

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The report also states leaders and managers do not ensure that apprentices follow a programme that covers all elements of the apprenticeship standard.

They focus too heavily on the completion of the diploma qualification element of the programme, and do not plan a suitably integrated programme of on- and off-the-job training for apprentices.

Leaders and tutors do not give apprentices appropriate advice and guidance at the start of their programme.

Tutors conduct meetings with apprentices, but this is about the apprentices’ current job roles rather than their development needs and aspirations.

The Ofsted report highlighted that improvements need to be made on the following: Identify the existing knowledge, skills and behaviours that apprentices have and use this information to plan a curriculum that meets the developmental needs of individual apprentices.

Work more closely with apprentices’ managers to plan a well-integrated programme of on- and off-the-job training so that apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to complete the whole apprenticeship standard, perform their job role well, and progress to their chosen next steps.

Improve oversight of the progress that apprentices make, including in the workplace, so that staff can act quickly to provide effective support to apprentices who fall behind.

Improve the quality of information, advice and guidance given to apprentices throughout the programme to ensure that apprentices know what to expect and the options available after their apprenticeship.

TEWV was contacted for a comment.

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