Skip to main content
Guidance

How DfE maintains oversight of independent training providers (ITPs)

DfE’s operational standards, oversight and monitoring arrangements for ITPs, including how DfE takes action to address risks.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
1 April 2019
Last updated:
8 May 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated 'Oversight of independent training providers: operational guidance' for the new further education inspection framework.

  2. This guidance will be updated in March 2026 to reflect recent changes to Ofsted’s education inspection framework and DfE's apprenticeship training provider accountability framework (AAF) and post-16 education and skills white paper.

  3. We have updated the operational guide to reflect changes to RoATP, subcontracting, funding high risk organisations, establishment of a Large Provider Team and a new section on ESFA approach to investigations.

  4. Added information to contract enforcement section.

  5. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Oversight of independent training providers: operational guidance

HTML

Details

This operational guidance is for independent training providers (ITPs), including:

  • independent learning providers
  • independent specialist providers
  • charitable and commercial providers
  • special post-16 institutions
  • employer providers

The guidance explains how government oversees ITPs under the further education inspection framework.

It also sets out what providers are expected to deliver, including:

  • strong governance
  • financial resilience
  • high‑quality teaching and training
  • effective safeguarding of learners

Sign up for emails or print this page