SPECTRUM COURSES LIMITED

Spectrum Courses Limited

Accredited Online Training in Safeguarding and Disability Awareness for the Transport sector (Home to School Transport, Adult Social Care etc).

Our bespoke Learning Management Platform (LMS) offers learning & success to a demographic of 'unskilled' workers (Taxi/PHV/Minibus drivers and PAs), raising standards and reducing incidents involving vulnerable people.

Features

• Online Training accessible 24/7
• Accredited Training
• Certificated
• Independently verifiable training checks
• Real Time Compliance Checks
• Successfully training an "unskilled" work force
• Diverse demographic of Experts from all over England delivering training
• Exceeds statutory guidelines (safeguarding and training) from Dept for Education

Benefits

• Course content aimed at trainees who are not IT confident
• Upskilling Home to School Transport teams
• Sector Specific and relevant to role
• Free resources
• Audio option to listen to part/all of the course
• Video led training delivered in a friendly style
• Customised additional features potential for customers
• Standardised training across county boundaries

£32.50 a user a year

• Free trial available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at jane@spectrumcourses.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

658976878918712

Contact

Jane Saggers
07941829360
jane@spectrumcourses.co.uk

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: None
• System requirements:
  • Access to the internet
  • Individual email address
  • Latest version of internet browser (preferable)

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Usually within 6 hours Monday to Friday.; (Response may be longer at weekends).
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Onsite support: Onsite support
• Support levels: Customer Service for trainees is provided by email, firstly, and then by phone.; We offer online support in a series of video tutorial "How To..." Guides.; The company is supported with a dedicated IT Development provider available 24/7
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Onboarding is bespoke and as required for all customers. ; The interface is allows customers to manage their own accounts and compliance checks. ; We have published a series of "How to....Guides" which detail step be step the most frequent requirements.; We are accessible to every individual customer's requirements.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats: PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Upon request.
• End-of-contract process: Access to training record remains, as well as all additional free resources and compliance tools. ; ; If a copy of a customer's specific data is required this would be provided at the end of the contract at reasonable cost dependent on amount of data involved.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: It is possible to use the service on a smartphone but we recommend use of a larger screen on a desktop, laptop or tablet for accuracy and comfort.; Making the training fully accessible for ALL smartphones is currently being developed.
• Service interface: Yes
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.1 A
• Description of service interface: Www.spectrumcourses.co.uk is our website where our accredited courses can be purchased & taken. ; Certificates are available for successful trainees to download. They contain a unique number to enable them to be independently verified in a "one-stop shop". ; The website offers a unique feature which can be accessed for a complete check for audit and compliance purposes. ; Local authorities can assign and access courses through a voucher credit system if preferred.
• Accessibility standards: None or don’t know
• Description of accessibility: Our training has been built with the user demographic in mind. ; The navigation of the website and course has been designed for people who are not confident in IT skills. ; It is accessible to a complete diversity of trainees, with an audio option for people not confident in reading English language. ; There are no time-pressure constraints and each trainee can take the course at a speed suitable to their individual needs. ; The course is broken into bite-sized learning modules which automatically save when completed successfully. ; There are free additional resources to download.
• Accessibility testing: In business development
• API: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: We can customise our services for local authorities and clients who wish to add specific information and course materials. (eg code of conduct, cause for concern form,)

Scaling

• Independence of resources: We use secure, dedicated servers which mitigates risk to our service, by allowing us to monitor all usage and act appropriately should it ever be necessary.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Upon request, and within the bounds of GDPR and privacy laws.
• Reporting types: Reports on request

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: None

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: In-house
• Protecting data at rest: Physical access control, complying with SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Upon request
• Data export formats: CSV
• Data import formats: Other
• Other data import formats: Not applicable

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: SLAs are not applicable. ; However, if users were unable to access products for a prolonged period of time, each instance would be treated individually and full refunds would be made when applicable.
• Approach to resilience: Available upon request
• Outage reporting: Service is monitored automatically by a third party uptime monitor.; ; If a problem is reported, the developer makes initial investigation and takes corrective action if required. If the service cannot be restored within a few minutes Spectrum Courses are notified of the situation and they can communicate with clients.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication: Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: User roles are granted access to only the parts of the management website that they require ; (eg, a course tester is granted access to test & trial courses in development, but prevented access to any user data). ; All users authenticate using username and passwords. ; The number of administrative users (highest access) is kept to absolute minimum requirement. ; ; Data protection/privacy/GDPR regulations are respected and made a priority across all working practices of the company.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication: Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: No
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications:
  • ICO Data Registration Certificate (Ref ZA750213)
  • ICO Data Registration Certificate (Ref ZA750759) WWD

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: Other
• Other security governance standards: TBC
• Information security policies and processes: Access to private information is limited (by password control) to the individual, their employer, the Local Authorities they work for (with individual's permission), employees of Spectrum Courses Ltd and employees of the website contractor. ; ; Employees of Spectrum Courses and its website contractor undergo regular data security training. ; ; Data held online is secured to ISAE3402. Data stored offline is subject to physical access controls and physical encryption. Staff at Spectrum Courses and its website contractor are registered ICO Data Controllers and understand reporting requirements in the event of a data breach. Data is regularly backed up and the backups tested to ensure successful restoration.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: At the supplier level, all code changes to all service components are tracked with version control linked to an update log of all changes made and the date of release and version of the changed component.; ; Spectrum courses have a test version of the website to which major changes are deployed initial to allow them to be tested before deployment to the live Spectrum website.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: Updates to the website and its components are deployed to a test environment first for assessment and testing prior to deployment to the main Spectrum website. Server software is patched with OS updates in a timely manner. Potential threats and update notification are received directly from the OS provider and from monitoring vulnerability news sources.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: Compromises are identified by monitoring threat information feeds and the suggested remedial action is taken as soon as possible. When relevant, information about the threat and the action taken is communicated with Spectrum Courses.
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: Users can report incidents via email or phone to Spectrum Courses which are immediately reported to the developer (by email or phone).; ; Incident reports from the developer are communicated to Spectrum Courses (via email or phone).

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Supplier-defined process

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  Spectrum Courses supports effective stewardship of the environment.; The company supports hybrid working (avoiding use of vehicles and other transport to one office) in its pursuit of effective performance, and is developing its model for improved environmental benefits. ; Furthermore, our online based training model is successfully negating the need for travel to classroom based studies which enhances our fight for effective environmental stewardship to support environmental protection and improvement.

  Covid-19 recovery

  The supplier’s products (online training courses) are delivering Social Value in the Covid-19 recovery in numerous ways.; ; 1. Encouraging new Drivers and Passengers Assistants into worthwhile work in a traditionally ‘unskilled’ labour market.; ; 2. Ensuring users are trained to Department for Education required standards in the critically important area of Safeguarding and Disability Awareness (Equality) as applicable to each sector.; ; 3. Offering training to a wide diversity of students, with inclusivity to all, regardless of traditional academic ability.; ; 4. Creating employment, re-training and other return to work opportunities for those left unemployed by COVID-19. ; ; 5. Supporting traditionally ‘unskilled’ people in a new work environment where contact with other people is limited (eg working in solo transport).; ; 6. Helping to increase opportunities in the Home to School Transport sector which was severely impacted by Covid-19 in terms of ; a) driver shortages ; b) passenger assistant shortages ; c) vehicle shortages & delays; ; 7. Offering employment opportunities which may improve workplace conditions that support the COVID-19 recovery effort including effective social distancing, and sustainable travel solutions. ; ; 8. Including a module of ‘professional rewards’ in all our courses to ensure trainees understand their moral and social worth to society, in spite of their low paid role.

  Tackling economic inequality

  Our products are tackling economic inequality by:; ; 1. Training to qualify for new work opportunities, regardless of age, background, and diversity. ; 2. Addressing essential skills gaps in the sector & providing accredited qualifications. ; 3. Providing new opportunities through training for work in high growth sectors.; 4. Enabling people who have no qualifications to succeed by making learning appropriate to need (Previously considered 'unskilled' in academic qualifications, they may have arrived in Britain as migrants or refugees).; ; Through our products, we tackle economic inequality by :; a) Offering opportunities to entrepreneurs, encouraging micro businesses in rural areas outside the south east, and encouraging growth and new business creation. ; b) Supporting part time and full time opportunities to people who face barriers to employment.; ; We support innovative and disruptive technologies by delivering low-cost, affordable products (which also raise standards). ; ; We move cost from the public purse to individuals.; ; We ensure learning can be applied in practice. (Classroom models are avoided because of limited places, infrequent classes and cost). ; ; Our model delivers 24/7, and standardises training across county boundaries. ; ; Our feedback surveys (completed before access to training certificates) enables us to measure how and where standards are improving & provides evidence of resilience.; Our courses are independently verified. ; We are scalable to more than 250,000 drivers and PAs across the country. ; ; We offer onboard advice and video guides, recognising that some trainees are not IT confident. ; Our customer service runs 24/7. ; Our bespoke technology offers account managers real time instant compliance checks for audit and quality control purposes. ; Our cyber security is robust.; ; Our company policy encourages the representation of neurodivergence and disabilities in its use of its creative content suppliers and will also encourage appointments of people with disabilities, including invisible disabilities, in its contract workforce.

  Equal opportunity

  The Supplier reduces the disability employment gap, and tackle workforce inequality as part of its mission statement. ; Awareness of disabilities is increased through our training products, all of which support people with disabilities, and raise awareness and knowledge.; The company has had a genuine social value and worth from start up with a desire to make training affordable to all, and, in doing so,; raising standards & reducing incidents in transport.; Our Home to School Transport Courses are increasing access to education and learning - which in turn is allowing their home-based support teams (parents/carers) to access work or much-needed respite. ; That, in turn, is reducing absenteeism in the workplace, and enabling people with disabilities to be better understood within their own communities and, more generally in society, today. ; By improving access education and learning, the outcome for the entire cohort of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, is increasing the opportunity to go on and lead meaningful, purposeful adult lives, increasing employment opportunities for them all. ; ; We are accredited as a training provider with CPDUK, and provide Level 1 qualifications. Achievement of passing our training courses, with certification is - for many of our customers - the first success in learning they have ever accomplished brings a sense of worth and pride , improving self esteem, and employability. ; Company Directors are fully committed to improvements in this part of our social landscape. ; Our social value has been recognised by Learning Excellence Awards. The company remains committed to work tirelessly in its genuine desire to provide huge social value for those less fortunate than ourselves, who remain some of the most vulnerable in society today.; The Company has a modern slavery policy and its statement is visible via its website.

  Wellbeing

  Spectrum Courses is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of its staff, and suppliers, and through its products supports the wellbeing of community integration.; We have the support and dedicated monthly access to a ; UKCP Phychotheripist who is a member of the Advisory Board. She will ; support self care of staff and suppliers, including importance of daylight exercise and regular breaks from screen time of hybrid working.; The company products focus on wellbeing. The creation of this company was focussed on the wellbeing and support of vulnerable children and adults.; Our safeguarding and equality training offers wellbeing support through regular signposting for support within our products. We highlight that perceived “naughty” behaviour is a form of communication to highlight distress. ; ; We also recognise that for our trainees, our courses for their workplace environment may be their first experience of such distressing elements within society. This is explained in our product training and we offer numerous and appropriate signposts of where and how to access free and important support. We also ensure that trainees can approach the training in bite-sized modules so our software automatically saves each module when successfully completed.; Our training explains clearly their legal and moral responsbitilies around safeguarding, explains where those responsibilities start and stop and ensures that our trainees understand that their role may be an invaluable piece of a wider 'jigsaw' or picture being compiled by other professionals to provide a child and/or family appropriate support. ; The design and delivery of our products supports stronger awareness of disabilities (including hidden disabilities like autism, ADHD and deafness) and integrates communities. ; We are proud to be able to influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract.

Pricing

• Price: £32.50 a user a year
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: Yes
• Description of free trial: We offer public service buyers up to three courses (or more at specific request) for them to test the entire course, access free resources, and immerse in the real user experience. ; We consider, favourably, any specific content additions and/or amendments changes which meet the approval of the Spectrum Advisory Board,
• Link to free trial: Www.spectrumcourses.co.uk

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at jane@spectrumcourses.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.