Ofsted revises post-inspection processes and complaints
handling to bring about greater consistency across its
work.
Ofsted is revising its post-inspection and complaints-handling
arrangements so that any queries or concerns about an inspection
can be dealt with quickly and before an inspection report is
finalised.
This follows a public consultation,
published in March 2020. Ofsted received more than 600 responses
from a wide range of respondents, including early years
providers, schools, further education and skills providers,
social care providers and parents.
Ofsted will:
- introduce greater consistency in post-inspection arrangements
across inspection remits
- standardise at 5 working days the period allowed for
providers to review their draft report and raise any issues of
factual accuracy and about the inspection process
- consider and respond to formal complaints from inspected
providers before we publish their inspection report, if these
complaints are submitted within 5 working days of Ofsted issuing
the final report
- retain current arrangements for internal reviews into
complaints handling, including the scrutiny panel
Most respondents supported the proposals and responses were
broadly consistent across all the different areas that Ofsted
inspects. After considering all the consultation responses
received, Ofsted plans to implement the new arrangements,
including providing more time for formal complaints to be
submitted. The consultation outcome
is published today.
Ofsted will also update its complaints policy and will publish
this in the coming months.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman said:
I am pleased with the positive responses to our consultation.
We need to be able to deal quickly and effectively with queries
and concerns before we finalise and publish an inspection
report.
The changes we are making will help to make sure our processes
are efficient, fair and responsive to the providers we inspect.
