Ofsted extends complaints consultation amid pandemic
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Ofsted has extended its consultation on post-inspection arrangements, including how it handles complaints, by four weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The consultation, launched on 3 March, was due end this week but has been extended until 30 April.
It seeks views from professionals working across all settings monitored by the inspectorate.
The consultation document puts forward proposals including implementing “new and consistent post-inspection timelines that will apply across all inspection remits”.
“This will mean that, for example, all providers should expect to see their draft report within 18 working days of the end of their inspection, and we will aim to issue all final reports to providers within 30 working days of the end of the inspection,” the consultation document states.
It has also been proposed to allow all inspected providers five working days to review their draft report and submit any comments about issues of factual accuracy and the inspection process while a report is finalised. Currently complaints procedures differ across different settings.
Ofsted has also announced plans to consider and respond to formal complaints from inspected providers before inspection reports are published but is set to retain current arrangements for internal reviews into complaints handling, including its scrutiny panel.
The extension comes weeks after Ofsted announced it would be suspending all inspections with the exception of those involving safeguarding concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The consultation document states: “We are seeking the widest possible range of views to ensure that our revised procedures are closely matched to the needs of inspected providers and those making complaints.”
A report on the findings of the consultation is set to be published in May with reforms being introduced from September.
