Summary of changes
Updated 11 April 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accreditation-visits-to-online-providers-handbook/summary-of-changes
This sets out changes we have made to reflect our suitability checks and visits to providers. It does not include corrections or changes made to improve clarity.
April 2024
The handbook has been revised to reflect the following:
- clarification that, when applying the handbook, inspectors will take appropriate action to comply with Ofsted’s duties under the Equality Act 2010
- during the notification call, the lead inspector will provide an opportunity for the provider to discuss and/or give us information on potential equalities duties, including reasonable adjustments for individuals
- minor amendment to clarify when inspectors should contact the duty desk to discuss the appropriate action to take when there are well-being concerns
- that the day 2 feedback meeting may now be attended by: the proprietor or proprietor body (including as many members as are available); the person responsible for day-to-day leadership and management; members of a governing board (where a provider has one); and other senior leaders
- clarification regarding Ofsted’s updated complaints policy
- clarification regarding Ofsted’s policy for pausing inspections
February 2024
The handbook has been revised to clarify:
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that inspectors will hold regular meetings throughout the visit with the person responsible for day-to-day leadership and the management of the provider. This allows them to raise any issues or concerns, or to seek clarification (including related to the conduct of the visit or of individual inspectors).
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that providers may split up the notification call into multiple conversations and/or invite other members of staff if it’s helpful.
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that inspectors will check on the well-being of the person responsible for day-to-day leadership and management and seek a contact point for someone responsible for their well-being should any concerns emerge during the visit.
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that inspectors will provide an email address to the provider during the notification call for the provider to contact. This is to allow the provider to raise any issues that they want to talk through with the inspectorate but can’t mention directly to the lead inspector or inspection team.
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that inspectors will invite the person responsible for day-to-day leadership and management to the team meeting at the end of day 1, who may be accompanied by a supporting member of staff if they want. Attendance is optional.
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that the day 2 feedback meeting may now be attended by: the proprietor or proprietor body (including as many members as are available); the person responsible for day-to-day leadership and management; members of a governing board (where a provider has one); and other senior leaders.
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that where minor improvements to the provider’s safeguarding practices during an accreditation visit are identified, and may be rectified easily before the end of the visit, inspectors will have a constructive and professional conversation with leaders so that they have a chance to rectify these minor improvements.
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that leaders are advised that while they should not make findings public or share them with parents until a final report has been published, they can share the visit outcomes / draft report in confidence with members of staff and others such as family members.
November 2023
The handbook has been revised to reflect the following:
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Ofsted will only advise DfE to reject an application for accreditation before suitability checks are carried out if Ofsted considers that the provider does not meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
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Surveys will normally close at 1pm rather than 5pm on the first day of an accreditation visit.
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Clarified that all persons with significant control of a company will be subject to suitability checks if they have an operational role in the running of the setting.
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New guidance on how providers can update Ofsted if the nature of their provision, or the policies that they have provided as part of their application, change substantially before an accreditation visit takes place.
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Detail on the DBS certification that proprietors are expected to hold at their suitability check.