Ofsted has today published its 15th annual report on the
effectiveness of care and welfare arrangements for recruits,
trainees and officer cadets (OCdts).
Ten Armed Forces establishments, along with 6 Royal Air Force
(RAF) University Service Units (USUs) and their headquarters,
have been graded good for their initial training.
However, significant problems with ageing infrastructure as well
as poorly-fitting uniform and equipment threaten the overall
experience of recruits, trainees and OCdts.
The report draws on evidence from 11 inspections of initial
training establishments for Regular Service personnel as well as
a combined inspection of 6 USUs and the University Air Station
(UAS) headquarters operated by the RAF. This was the first time
that inspectors had graded a combined unit and headquarters in a
single inspection.
All establishments were found to be providing good-quality
training as well as effective care and welfare arrangements.
Soldiers, sailors and aviators at each establishment benefit from
a wide range of opportunities and engaging activities, leaving
them well prepared to become skilled and knowledgeable members of
the Armed Forces.
However, as we reported last year, long-standing failures in
facilities, infrastructure and resources remain. Inspectors
observed buildings in poor condition at 4 establishments and
several UAS units. At one establishment, Britannia Royal Naval
College (BRNC), inspectors noted examples of rotting
infrastructure as the worst they have ever seen.
Despite concerns raised in last year’s report, problems also
persist with uniform and equipment standards. Too many recruits,
particularly smaller and female recruits, are not given suitable,
properly fitting uniforms, body-armour and backpacks. This is
affecting recruits’ morale and posing injury risks.
Ofsted has issued several recommendations for all training
establishments including:
- Urgently improve the condition of training establishment
infrastructure, accommodation and welfare and training
facilities. This includes areas that are out of bounds to
personnel because they are unsafe to use.
- Give commanding officers the support, guidance and funding
they need to properly manage and maintain their failing
infrastructure to make sure recruits, trainees, OCdts and staff
can live and train in acceptable conditions.
- Give recruits, trainees and OCdts military equipment and
clothing at the appropriate time and make sure that items fit
properly. In particular, give female personnel correctly fitting
uniform and specialist equipment such as rucksacks and body
armour.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman,
said:
“Senior commanders and their teams should be proud of their
inspection results that reflect the high-quality training and
support they are providing to such a valuable group of people.
“However, we have yet again reported evidence of sub-standard and
sometimes unsafe buildings and facilities, within which our
recruits are expected to complete their training. I urge senior
colleagues in the MoD to take urgent action to provide our young
Services personnel with the facilities, infrastructure and
resources they need to flourish and work safely.”
All inspections were carried out between October 2022 and May
2023.
