Partnership approach gets Ofsted thumbs-up
1 November 2008
An innovative partnership approach between CXL and a Liverpool based training company has been praised as “outstanding” by Ofsted.
The partnership with Sysco Business Skills Academy enables CXL to provide quality placements for social work students and is part of a wider project to help students from universities across the North West to find placements in non-traditional social work settings.
More than 25 students across Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester are currently on placement through the scheme, with negotiations currently underway to introduce long term back-to-back placements with the new Young People’s Service and to develop a partnership with Chester University.
In a report produced after an Ofsted inspection in the Summer, the approach was praised for its “outstanding” support for learners and “excellent practical pastoral care and expert interventions”.
“Support is very well planned and high responsive to learners’ individual needs” the report continued. “Learners benefit from particularly thorough information, advice and guidance before they start their training…Tutorial support is strong and monitored effectively”.
“This is excellent news and a great endorsement of the partnership work that has gone into the project” said Co-ordinator James Stead-Clark.

