Collection

Ofsted handbooks and frameworks

All handbooks and frameworks for the remits that Ofsted inspects and/or regulates.

Education inspection framework (EIF)

This framework sets out Ofsted’s inspection principles and the main judgements that inspectors make.

Schools handbook

Guidance on inspecting maintained schools and academies in England under the EIF.

Independent schools handbooks

Guidance on inspecting non-association independent schools in England under the EIF.

Early years handbook

Guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the EIF.

Area SEND: framework and handbook

Ofsted’s inspection principles, guidance and the main judgements that inspectors make when inspecting area SEND.

Unregistered schools handbook

Guidance for inspectors and investigators of unregistered independent schools.

Further education and skills handbooks

Guidance for inspectors on inspecting further education and skills providers under the EIF.

Social care frameworks

Guidance on the:

  • social care common inspection framework
  • joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of the multi-agency response to children and families who need help
  • inspecting local authority services for children (ILACS)
  • inspecting Cafcass

Initial teacher education (ITE) inspection framework and handbook

Ofsted’s inspection principles, guidance and the main judgements that inspectors make when inspecting ITE.

Published 11 August 2023