Ofsted scraps '30-day' complaint-driven inspections

Tougher inspection rules were introduced in September 2012 to so that any complaint against an early years setting triggered an inspection.

Those subject to a serious complaint were inspected within a week, while lesser complaints triggered an inspection within 30 days.

But following a four-week trial in May, Ofsted has now permanently scrapped the 30-day inspection.

Serious complaints will still trigger a swift inspection, but lesser, low-risk complaints will now be dealt with at the setting’s next scheduled Ofsted inspection.

Ofsted will write to providers to let them know about any low-risk complaint and that it will be a focus for inspectors when they next visit.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of The Pre-school Learning Alliance said: “Following the introduction of complaint-driven inspections, reports of providers being subjected to repeated malicious and spurious complaints became increasingly common, and it was clear that action needed to be taken to try and prevent this.

“We believe that this change is a far more sensible and proportionate way to deal with complaints which will create a fairer system for providers while ensuring that children’s safety and wellbeing remains a priority.

“It is very encouraging to see that Ofsted has listened and responded to provider concerns on this issue, and we hope that this collaborative approach will continue on other areas of proposed reform.”

The 30-day inspections for low-risk complaints emerged as a bone of contention at Ofsted Big Conversation events earlier this year. The inspectorate put the 30-day inspections on hold in February ahead of the pilot.

Ofsted early years director Nick Hudson added: “I am really pleased at how this trial has gone. So much so that we have decided to continue this permanently.

"I believe it strikes the right balance of making sure children are safe, while treating early years providers in a proportionate way.”