Summary of changes
Updated 5 April 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-career-framework-and-national-professional-qualification-inspection-framework-and-handbook/summary-of-changes
April 2024
Paragraph 32: clarification that, when applying the handbook, inspectors will take appropriate action to comply with Ofsted’s Equality Act duties.
Paragraph 52: clarification regarding Ofsted’s pausing policy.
Paragraph 64: clarification on opportunities to provide information on and/or discuss potential equalities duties, including reasonable adjustments for individuals.
Paragraph 65: clarification regarding Ofsted’s updated complaints policy.
Paragraph 95: minor amendment to provide clarification on when inspectors should contact the regional duty desk to discuss the appropriate action to take when there are well-being concerns.
Paragraph 118 to 120: clarification regarding updated arrangements for publishing reports in line with Ofsted’s new complaints.
Paragraph 202 to 204: clarification regarding updated arrangements for publishing LPMV letters in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process.
Paragraph 212: clarification regarding updated arrangements for quality assurance in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process.
Paragraph 216: clarification regarding updated arrangements for handling concerns and complaints in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process.
January 2024
Paragraph 38: clarification regarding Ofsted’s role as an inspectorate of ECF and NPQ lead providers, and not of the specific individuals that work in them.
Paragraphs 39, 65, 106 to 109, 111, 189 to 190, 193: clarifications on involving leaders and lead provider representatives during inspections, who may attend meetings, including daily team meetings, how they can contribute and how inspectors will ensure leaders are kept informed of how the inspection is progressing.
Paragraphs 51, 56: clarification on requesting a deferral.
Paragraphs 59, 62 to 63: clarification regarding the preparatory conversations between the lead inspector and lead provider representative(s).
Paragraphs 56, 60: clarification that the lead inspector will encourage the lead provider representative to have someone else present during the planning and reflective, educationally focused conversations.
Paragraphs 55, 62 to 64: updates to reflect the information inspectors will request and discuss during the planning and reflective, educationally focused conversations and who may attend these conversations.
Paragraphs 69, 93 to 96, 176: clarification regarding meetings with stakeholders to reflect who may be present and how inspectors should engage with leaders and respond if they see or suspect that a staff member is upset or distressed.
Paragraphs 52 and 95: new section providing clarification that there may be exceptional occasions when a pause to inspection needs to be considered.
Paragraphs 116 to 120, 198 to 202: clarification on when draft inspection reports are sent to lead providers and who they may be shared with.
Paragraphs 111, 193: clarification on who provisional inspection outcomes may be shared with, including people not involved with the lead provider.
Paragraphs 64, 107, 111, 193, 209 to 211: updated to reflect how leaders may raise concerns both during the inspection and afterwards.
Paragraphs 212 to 214: clarification regarding the expectations for inspectors’ and providers’ conduct during inspections.
October 2023
Paragraph 26 and 155: Clarified that if existing lead providers begin delivering one or more additional NPQ programme(s), we may include the additional programme(s) in the lead provider’s next scheduled full inspection.
Paragraph 30: New paragraph to explain that, under certain circumstances, Ofsted may still inspect a lead provider if their contract with the Department for Education changes or ends.
Paragraph 38: Clarified that a maximum of 2 nominated leaders from the lead provider may observe inspectors’ daily team meetings and final team meetings.
Paragraph 48: Clarified that the ISA will arrange the first preparatory conversation between the lead inspector and the lead provider’s representative(s).
Paragraph 61, 78, 103 and 184: Clarified the process for completing the record of visits form and added that lead inspectors will require the postcodes (and URNs where available) of the delivery partners visited during the inspection.
Paragraph 63: Removed implication that lead inspectors will look at Ofsted surveys as part of pre-inspection planning.
Paragraphs 102, 107, 183 and 188: Clarified who lead provider representatives can speak to about inspection outcomes and findings before the final report is published.
Paragraph 142: Clarified the criteria of the outstanding grade descriptor under implementation to place appropriate emphasis on the actions of the lead provider.
Throughout: Consistency updates to ensure the handbook accurately reflects current practice.
December 2022
Paragraph 47: Change to the timescales for making information available to Ofsted. Lead providers will need to have some information available on the day of the educationally focused conversation (usually on a Monday).
Paragraphs 52 and 54: Updated information on the timings of preparatory conversations with the lead inspector. The educationally focused call will take place on the same day as the notification call.
Paragraph 61: Updated information on the closing times of surveys for full inspections and lead provider monitoring visits.
Paragraph 101: Clarified the process for sharing information about the inspection with third parties after the inspection.
Throughout: Clarified approach to parallel inspections.
Throughout: Clarified our expectations with regards to the Equality Act 2010, public sector equality duty, safeguarding legislation and fundamental British values, where relevant.
Paragraph 147: Clarified the criteria of the outstanding grade descriptor to draw a greater distinction between the good and outstanding grade boundaries.
July 2022
Paragraphs 7 to 9: Renamed section and updated to focus on inspectors’ powers to gather, use and store evidence.
Paragraph 10: New paragraph to explain that Ofsted may carry out research as part of our inspection activities.
Removed the ‘Inspection and the COVID-19 pandemic’ section, previously paragraph 27, and incorporated this into paragraph 59.
Paragraph 47: Clarified the information that lead providers must provide by 9am, 2 days after the notification call.
Paragraph 62: Added delivery partners and school leaders as stakeholder groups whose views we seek on inspection using surveys. Updated information on the closing times of surveys for full inspections and lead provider monitoring visits.
Paragraph 107: Added information on how a provider can use the Ofsted logo if judged good or outstanding.