Guidance

Induction tutors: responsibilities for early career teacher entitlement

Published 22 April 2025

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-career-teacher-entitlement-roles-and-responsibilities/induction-tutors-responsibilities-for-early-career-teacher-entitlement

Induction tutors’ responsibilities

Early career teacher entitlement (ECTE) is a 2-year programme that supports early career teachers (ECTs) when they start their teaching career.

Induction tutors play an important role in their school’s ECTE.

Some schools use the term ‘ECT lead’ instead of induction tutor.

If you’re an induction tutor, you’ll:

  • lead and co-ordinate on the delivery of the ECTE in your school
  • need to update Department for Education (DfE) about any changes to the ECTE in your school
  • review and assess an ECT’s progress against the teachers’ standards
  • be a point of contact for anyone involved in the ECTE
  • carry out some of your headteacher’s ECTE responsibilities, if these are delegated to you

An induction tutor is different to an ECT’s mentor.

Find out more about induction tutor responsibilities in section 5 of induction for early career teachers.

Lead and co-ordinate ECTE delivery

Induction tutors are responsible for setting up and managing the training, support, assessment and changing circumstances for the ECTE.

Find out more about how to do this at set up and manage the early career teacher entitlement.

Tell DfE about changes to your school’s ECTE

You must update DfE if there are any changes to your school’s ECTE.

Use the manage training for early career teachers service for any changes to your:

  • ECTs and mentors
  • induction tutor
  • appropriate body
  • training option

Review and assess ECTs’ progress

An ECT’s progress needs to be assessed against the teachers’ standards throughout their entitlement. You do this through progress reviews and formal assessments. You will arrange and schedule these and share records of them with your school’s appropriate body.

You should take prompt and appropriate action if an ECT appears to be having difficulties. Speak with your appropriate body to agree appropriate support. 

Find out more about reviews and assessments in section 2 of induction for early career teachers.

Delegated responsibilities

Your headteacher may delegate some of their ECTE responsibilities to you as the school’s induction tutor. This may include:

  • appointing an appropriate body
  • choosing a training programme option
  • managing special circumstances

Find out more about headteachers’ responsibilities and how to set up and manage the early career teacher entitlement.

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