Guidance

Further education and skills inspection handbook

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

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This handbook is primarily a guide for inspectors on how to carry out inspections of further education and skills providers under part 8 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

We also publish this for further education and skills providers and other interested parties so that they are aware of Ofsted’s inspection processes and procedures under the education inspection framework (EIF).

Published 14 May 2019
Last updated 26 January 2024 + show all updates
  1. See 'Summary of changes'.

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

  3. See 'Summary of changes'.

  4. Updated the adult learning programmes provision coverage in paragraph 86, to clarify that we will inspect skills bootcamps as part of our regular inspections from 1 April 2023.

  5. See summary of changes.

  6. See 'Summary of changes' for details.

  7. See 'Summary of changes'.

  8. Moved current handbook (which applies from 1 September 2021) to the top of the page. Clarified the period covered by the earlier handbook.

  9. Changes to paragraphs 275 to 279 (see summary of changes).

  10. See 'Summary of changes' for details.

  11. Edits throughout: see 'Summary of changes' for details.

  12. First published.