A council that delivers adult education to more than 12,000 learners across Essex has been labelled “Inadequate” by Ofsted.

The watchdog’s report this week revealed Essex County Council has insufficient safeguarding arrangements, and serious problems teaching English and Maths.

The report, which came following a December inspection, also states poor performance has prompted councillors to axe the provider’s provision of 16 – 19 year old studies.

The council, which commissions ACL Essex to educate residents in centres across 13 towns, scored “Inadequate” for leadership, student development, and adult learning programmes.

The report says: “Too few tutors improve learners’ English and mathematics skills in vocational subjects.

“Tutors do not correct learners’ errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar sufficiently and often pay scant attention to ensuring that learners understand how to structure sentences and paragraphs.

“In a minority of lessons, tutors’ resources and presentations include poor use of written English.”

ACL once "Outstanding"

In 2009, the authority was rated an “Outstanding” education provider, with Ofsted giving it the highest score across two-thirds of the board.

But the council received a blow in 2014 when it was branded “Requires Improvement”, teaching quality, leadership, and outcome for learners were all flagged as causes for concern.

Standards have continued to slide.

The report continues: “Safeguarding processes and procedures do not ensure that learners aged 16 to 18 learning alongside adults, and vulnerable adult learners, are safe.

“Leaders have not ensured that appropriate risk assessments are in place to monitor the safety of these groups.”

It goes on that too many trainees on traineeships were not progressing to purposeful employment.

 Consequently leaders and county councillors have “removed all poorly performing subcontractors.”

The authority has been urgently ordered to ensure all safeguarding is in place and to “rapidly increase the quality of teaching.”

Course leaders must also provide county councillors with accurate information across all aspects of performance, so the authority can closely monitor progress.

The team of seven inspectors did highlight a number of strengths, however.

They praised the planning of adult learning, the quality of support for those with learning difficulties, and tutoring in GCSE English and Maths.

Council vows to  improve

Councillor Ray Gooding, Cabinet member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “The Ofsted inspection of Adult Community Learning raises some areas where it is clear we need to improve, but also areas where we are strong.

“We have taken immediate action on the safeguarding issues identified and these are now in order.

“Some of the other improvements required are longer term, but we will be working with our councillors, service leaders, tutors and assessors to ensure that robust challenge is provided so that learners can develop and improve.

“We are pleased that Ofsted recognised the high-quality planning of adult learning, support for learners with learning difficulties and good quality tutoring in maths and English.”