PCS – Quality Training in the Heart of Birmingham

COVID-19
Information

Protocol Consultancy Services (PCS), as required by law, has carried out a risk assessment with our team, learners, and employers. As a result, we believe everything is reasonably practicable to minimise risk, recognising you cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19.

During the period of lockdown, PCS will remain open to our vulnerable students. However, all others will learn remotely until the February half term.

We know receiving face-to-face education is best for our young people’s mental health and educational achievement. Therefore, we will continue to review the restrictions on FE providers and make sure that students return to face-to-face education as soon as possible.

Remote Learning

Per the COVID-19 guidance issued, all of our learners (traineeships, apprentices, and adult learners) will receive remote education.

  • Our tutors will conduct remote training programmes as issued in learner course schedules and curriculums. This will provide our learners with the best chance to build their knowledge and skills.
  • PCS will ensure consideration on how best to support any of our vulnerable and disadvantaged students. Including those with special educational needs who may not be able to access remote education without support.
  • Craig Higham, our Operations Manager, will take overarching responsibility for the quality and delivery of remote education. Including that provision meets expectations for remote education set out in this guidance.

Delivery Arrangements

The timetabling of all planned sessions will be confirmed to each learner in advance, and invites to join sessions remotely will be dispatched. As a result, students will need to confirm their attendance in advance for any invited group and individual learning sessions.

  • We have identified and recorded any individual learner who has little or no access to learn remotely. Therefore, these individuals will continue to study by prior arrangement.
  • Protocol will continue to monitor attendance and follow procedures already in place for any student not available to log into any confirmed sessions. Please let us know of any changes to contact details so we can update our records.
  • We will continue to have systems in place to check, at least weekly, for persistent non-attendance or lack of engagement with remote education. After that, we will quickly agree on ways in which attendance and participation will need to be improved.
  • Protocol will continue to deliver and receive assessment and feedback and provide students with individual assessment and feedback to support progress in their learning via our Moodle/Mahara platform in accordance with leaner individual learning plans and planned ‘review’ intervals.

Expectations of Students

Protocol staff and students are trained and confident in their use of digital platforms. However, should any student require additional support with our digital platform, a member of our team will be available.

  • Every learner has an individual course schedule and must attend all planned sessions and participate in remote education.
  • Sessions delivered remotely will incorporate interactive ‘live’ online lessons, and learners are encouraged to fully engage.

Learners will adhere to the Protocol Flip learning approach. Protocol will often run an initial session in the morning, allow learners time to work on their studies, then conclude with a short afternoon session (depending on the nature of the topic).

Specialist Equipment or Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • We assess individual support arrangements and make provisions for any learner without devices, connectivity, or a suitable environment for learning. This is to ensure their schedule of learning continues wherever possible. Loan equipment and safe and secure on-site learning provisions will be made available, with continuous risk assessments in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Course content may be adjusted where practical learning equipment would usually be available in our training room sites.

Support for students with SEND

  • Protocol students with special education needs (SEND) will continue to receive high-quality teaching and specialist professional support. We know that students with SEND, and their families, can be impacted by being out of education.
  • Specialist team members with mental health training and qualifications are on-site and available virtually to offer support.
  • Safeguarding our young people will continue to take priority and our trained team will be particularly vigilant about new and additional safeguarding concerns. All our staff know what they should do if they have any concerns about a learner and will act accordingly and immediately.

Summary of our COVID-19 Information

In conclusion, we intend to deliver as much of students’ planned hours as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise for some students, this may not be possible, for example, where a student is undertaking a course involving practical teaching and training.

Access to our full policies/procedures is available via your Moodle/Mahara learning platform.

All our learners are aware of our team contact details and the provision of our 24-hour emergency contact number.

If you require more information about our COVID-19 policy and procedure, give us a call on 0121 236 2634 to speak directly to a qualified staff member.