TEC Partnership has become the first college to fail safeguarding under Ofsted’s new inspection framework – triggering government intervention. The college group’s report, published today following an inspection in May, found that leaders had failed to establish an effective safeguarding culture and had not acted quickly enough to protect some learners from harm. Inspectors criticised leaders’ oversight and record-keeping of learners’ attendance, including for the group’s 14 to 16 academy at its Grimsby campus, particularly where there were known safeguarding concerns and for those with “complex home lives”. TEC Partnership leaders “do not ensure learners’ safety and wellbeing by supporting them to return to the academy”, they do not liaise sufficiently well with parents, and nor do they accurately fulfil their statutory duties for reporting on 14 to 16-year-old learners to stakeholders such as the local authority. Inspectors found that qualified safeguarding staff were in place but that leaders had failed to create a culture in which all staff were sufficiently vigilant about risks affecting vulnerable learners. A “few” learners also do not have a “sufficiently well-developed knowledge of the risks posed by radicalisation and extremism”, Ofsted added. Department for Education policy states that it will place a college into intervention where safeguarding is judged ‘not met’. A TEC Partnership spokesperson confirmed that the college has engaged in discussions with the FE Commissioner following Ofsted’s findings. The spokesperson said: “Our outcome for safeguarding was not as expected due to a specific issue identified within a small area of our wider offer – specifically within our 14 to 16 provision and a small cohort of 16 to 18 learners at one of our sites. “We have addressed the specific issue raised by the inspectors. Importantly, no learners were ever at risk, as the matter was strictly procedural. Immediate remedial actions have been taken to ensure all processes, without exception, meet the rigorous standards expected across every part of our provision. “Our commitment to maintaining a safe, supportive, and high-quality environment for all our learners remains absolute. The core delivery, governance, and day-to-day safeguarding across our provision continue to operate with full integrity and rigour.” The DfE was approached for comment. ‘We can improve’ TEC Partnership is a large college group that operates mainly across East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull, Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire. It teaches more than 9,500 students across campuses in Grimsby, Scarborough, Beverley, Bridlington, Hull and Skegness. The college received nine ‘expected standard’ judgments, including for local skills needs and inclusion, as well as six ‘needs attention’ ratings, including for leadership and governance, young learner achievement and participation, apprenticeship achievement and provision for learners with high needs. Ofsted praised the quality of teaching, learning, and support provided to adult and younger learners, highlighting their knowledge and skills development as well as high rates of positive destinations. The report was also positive about the group’s apprenticeship curriculum that responds effectively to local and regional needs. Inspectors noted that learners and apprentices learn in a “generally inclusive college” where most are supported to overcome their barriers to learning. Ofsted acknowledged that the college group has appointed campus principals to “ensure local leadership, oversight and accountability”. However, their actions have not led to consistent or sustained improvement in relation to achievement, retention or attendance, according to the report. A TEC Partnership spokesperson said: “Our recent Ofsted inspection highlighted numerous strengths across our organisation. Inspectors commended the strong relevance of our curriculum, our direct contribution to meeting local and regional skills needs, and the high level of support provided to our learners and apprentices. “The report also praised our ongoing investment in industry-standard facilities and recognised the significant progress made since our last inspection, including effective improvements to support staff. “The report also identified areas where we can improve further. We welcome this feedback and are already implementing targeted actions to address these priorities across our organisation.”