Guidance

Early career framework and national professional qualification inspection framework and handbook

The framework and handbook for inspecting lead providers of early career framework (ECF) and national professional qualification (NPQ) programmes in England.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

Ofsted inspects lead providers of early career framework (ECF) and national professional qualification (NPQ) programmes that are funded by the Department for Education. We inspect these providers under Part 8 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

The framework forms the first part of the document. The handbook in the second part of the document describes the main activities carried out during inspections of lead providers of ECF and NPQ programmes.

We also have guidance for lead providers that explains what happens when we carry out ECF and NPQ inspections.

Published 2 March 2022
Last updated 5 April 2024 + show all updates
  1. See 'Summary of changes'.

  2. See 'Summary of changes'.

  3. We are in the process of updating this handbook to reflect the changes mentioned in our statement published on 7 December.

  4. See summary of changes.

  5. See summary of changes.

  6. See 'Summary of changes' for details.

  7. First published.