TEC Partnership was inspected in September 2023 and was judged to require improvement. The recent monitoring visit aimed to assess the progress made by leaders and managers in addressing the key areas for improvement identified during the previous inspection. The findings indicate that leaders and managers have made reasonable progress in several areas. They have implemented strategic developments to address previous concerns, including appointing campus principals and directors, which has clarified accountability and improved consistency across campuses. The chief executive regularly shares updates with staff, fostering better communication and integration within the organization.
Leaders have enhanced internal communication to ensure staff are well-informed about strategic initiatives and involved in developments. They conduct meetings at campuses to share information and gather feedback, utilizing staff surveys to understand employee experiences and adapt strategies accordingly. This approach has positively impacted staff morale, with many feeling empowered to contribute to the organization’s direction. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on staff training and development, with weekly sessions allowing staff to engage in mandatory and personalized training, which has been well-received.
Governors are actively involved in supporting leaders to review the effectiveness of changes and provide valuable challenges to ensure the continued implementation of improvement actions. In terms of workload management, leaders have taken effective steps to support staff by recruiting for vacant roles and improving recruitment processes, which has alleviated the burden on existing staff. This has allowed staff more time for planning and professional development. Leaders have also prioritized staff well-being by enhancing working conditions, such as increasing annual leave and offering flexible working arrangements, contributing to a more positive workplace culture.
Regarding safeguarding, leaders have standardized procedures across the group, with a designated safeguarding lead overseeing arrangements. They have introduced an online platform for reporting concerns and provided training to staff, which has improved understanding and usage of reporting procedures. Regular reviews of safeguarding referrals help identify trends and inform support for learners and training needs for staff.
In terms of careers guidance, leaders have improved the support provided to adult learners, with tutors discussing long-term aspirations and offering workshops for CV and job application development. However, some learners remain unaware of available workshops. Leaders have appointed a group manager for careers to standardize information across campuses and ensure access to qualified advisers. They recognize the need to promote these resources further.
For young learners, leaders have enhanced work experience arrangements by appointing specialist teams at each campus to oversee placements. An online dashboard tracks placement requirements and progress, ensuring leaders are informed about completion targets. While leaders are beginning to secure high-quality placements, they are still working to increase the number of available opportunities. Overall, the monitoring visit indicates that TEC Partnership is making reasonable progress in addressing the areas for improvement identified in the previous inspection, with a focus on communication, staff support, safeguarding, and career guidance.
