Introduction

1. WeOfsted inspectinspects in the best interests of children, young people and learners. When we have scheduled an inspection or visit, it should take place unless there are exceptional circumstances. However, we understand that there will be times when itan inspection/visit cannot go ahead or needs to be paused, when it is incomplete and/or when we need to gather additional evidence. This policy sets out how and when we make decisionsthose in these circumstances.decisions.

2. Deferring an inspection orrefers visitto meansan thatinspection weor reschedulevisit itbeing rescheduled because it cannot go ahead on the planned dates. This usually happens during the notification process, and in most cases will be before inspectors arrive on site.site, Foror inspections without notice, it will be at the first opportunity after inspectors arrive.arrive where providers have no notice of the inspection.

3. Pausing an inspection isrefers to when an inspection or visit that has already started hasis to be paused (and so inspectors will leave if they are on site) and will resume at a date or time laterbeyond than the inspectionoriginally day(s)scheduled thatinspection weredays. originally scheduled. A paused inspection can become an incomplete inspection if the pause goes on beyond the time specified in this policy.section.

4. The gathering additional evidence processprotocol applies to:

• an inspection or visit that is found to be incomplete after the on-site activity has ended: this includes when our quality assurance or complaints processes identify that further inspection activity is neededrequired to makeensure sure that the evidence and inspection outcomes reached are securesecure  

• an inspection or visit that has been paused for a period beyond the time frames set out in the annex to this guidance

• an inspection that has been suspended in order to allow a school or further education (FE) and skills provider to resolve safeguarding issues with safeguarding

It noceases longerto appliesapply oncewhen the final version of the inspection report or report card (which we refer to as ‘report’ for ease of reading) has been sent to the provider and/or the Secretary of State.

What this policy applies to

5. This policy applies to inspections/visits for the following providers where Ofsted inspects provision regulated by the Department for Education (DfE) (our pausing policy only applies to ourOfsted’s work in England;England and there may be different arrangements for any inspection work we do outside England. It applies to inspections of/visits to the following providers:England):

• maintained schools and academies (and other types of schools inspected under sections 5 and 8 of the the Education Act 2005)

• registered independent schools inspected by Ofsted (under sections 109(1) and (2) ofof the the Education and Skills Act 2008 and and under section 162(4) ofof the the Education Act 2002)

• proposed independent schools applying to the Department for Education (DfE) for registration and inspected by Ofsted (under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008)

• providers of initial teacher education (ITE) under section 18B of the the Education Act 1994, and part 8 of the the Education and Inspections Act 2006, and section 123 (1)(g) (in connection with section 126) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006

• lead providers of the early career teacherframework programme (ECTPECF) and national professional qualifications (NPQs)(NPQ) lead providers under part 8 of the the Education and Inspections Act 2006

• providers of FEfurther education and skills under part 8 of the the Education and Inspections Act 2006

• secure training centres in accordance with rule 43 of the Secure Training Centre Rules 1998 (made under section 47 of the Prison Act 1952, as amended)

6. The policy also applies to the following providers thatwhere weOfsted inspectinspects under the Children Act 2004 and forwhere whichOfsted weis are also the regulator:

• early years and childcare provision (under sections 49, 60 and 77(2)(b) of the the Childcare Act 2006)

• childminder agencies (under sections 51D and 61E of the the Childcare Act 2006)

• residential special schools, some boarding schools, and residential provision for 16- and 17-year-olds in further education colleges and independent specialist colleges (under section 87 of the the Children Act 1989)

• local authority children’s services (ILACS) and secure training centres (under the the Education and Inspections Act 2006)

• local areas, inspected as part of our joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs) (carried out under section 20 of the the Children Act 2004)

• area special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) services for children and young people (under section 20 of the the Children Act 2004)

• children’s homes, including secure children’s homes, secure 16 to 19 academies, adoption support agencies, voluntary adoption agencies, independent fostering agencies, residential family centres, supported accommodation and residential holiday schemes for disabled children (under the the Care Standards Act 2000), as well as secure 16 to 19 academies (under the Education and Inspections Act 2006)

• Theinspections Childrenof andCafcass Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) (including focused and monitoring visits) (under the Education and Inspections Act 2006)

Part 1: Deferrals

7. WeOfsted putputs the bestinterest interests of children, young people and learners first. WeIt willis only in exceptional circumstances that we would consider granting a deferraldeferral. inA exceptionalprovider circumstances. Anyone requesting a deferral will need to evidence the reasons for theirits request.

Circumstances for deferring Ofsted inspections and visits

8. There are a limited number of circumstances in which we may decide to defer an inspection. The examples below show where we could potentially grant a deferral.deferral, Theybut they do not provide automatic grounds for a deferraldeferral, and are not exhaustive. We will consider each case separately and on its own merits, including (where applicable) considering whether:

• whether the provider is under regulatory or enforcement action

• and/or whether the reasonsrationale for requestingany the deferral havehas the potential to undermine statutory requirements, such as a registered early years provider continuing to meet the conditions of registration, including ‘fitness to practice’practice’.

9. Normally, we will only defer an inspection if:

• going ahead would have a severe impact on the wellbeingwell-being of a senior leader (such as the headteacher, proprietor, centre manager, childcare provider, nominated individual, ITE provider representative, nominated lead provider representative, director of children’s services (DCS), registered manager and/or registered provider),provider) would be severely impacted, and there is no other delegated senior leader who can step in (for example, a deputy headteacher or manager) or there is no one from the responsible body available to support them and/or reduce the impact on their wellbeing;well-being; where this is the case, the inspector must have evidence that the absence of the provider’s leader does not leave children or vulnerable adults at risk of harm

• the headteacher, proprietor, centre manager, childcare provider, nominated individual, ITE provider representative, nominated lead provider representative, DCS, registered manager and/or registered provider or similar authority, or a member of the provider’s senior management team is subject to a current police investigation or serious concern from another agency that would be compromised by an inspection of, or visit to, the provider

• the provider has experienced a recent major incident, such asas: a fatality involving a child, young person or learner or a member of staff; a serious injury or serious/infectious illness at thea provider; the death of a member of a household where childcare takes place; or a serious incident wherewhen the presence of an inspector would have an adverse impact on the wellbeingwell-being of children, young people and learners

• the provision is confirmed as being due to merge, close or move and weit decideis decided that there would be no useful purpose inwill be served by inspecting it (if an independent school is within 6 months of confirmed closure, the inspection will normally still go ahead; we will inform the the DfE of of the timescale withinin which the school expects to close)

• concerns in a local area mean that an inspection would be inappropriate (such as a security incident or other major incident inthat whichmeans the police and senior leaders are focused on public safety)

• the provider willis be closed to all users – for example, becauseowing ofto a staff training day or adverse weather conditions that make access difficult or dangerous – for at least half of the time for which the inspection has been scheduled;scheduled (this does not apply to pre-registration inspections of independent schools)

• at least three quarters of the users will not be on site or with their employer – for example, becauseowing ofto a school trip, holiday or a religious festival – for at least half of the timeperiod for which the inspection has been scheduled (this does not apply to inspections of registered childcare settings or pre-registration inspections of independent schools)

• a school has very recently converted to become an academy; in these circumstances, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) reserves the right to go ahead with the inspection if they deem it necessary, or to schedule the academy’s first inspection for a later date

• ana FEfurther education and skills provider, ITE provider or an ECTPan ECF or  or NPQ lead lead provider is no longer receivingin receipt of relevant public funding

• a childminder agency no longer has childcarechildminders providers registered with it (see Inspection of childminder agencies: requirements for Ofsted)

• there are circumstances that compromise our ability to gather sufficient evidence to reach valid and reliable inspection outcomes

• there has been anotherany other major incident that has had a significant effect on the routine day-to-day running of the provision or onrunning of the inspection

• a state-funded school with a religious character has already been notified of an inspection under section 48 of the Education Act 2005 (or equivalent inspection in an academy), as long as there are no exceptional circumstances that would require the inspection to proceed

• there are other exceptional circumstances that the relevant Ofsted regional/national director decides warrant a deferral

10. Building orand/or refurbishment work is not normally a reason for deferral if the provider is open and users are on site. However, if the provider is significantly disrupted by measures taken to deal with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), we will consider these deferral requests carefully as an exceptional circumstance.

11. Inspections of/visitsof, toor visits to, schools or FEfurther education and skills providers may still go ahead when all (or substantial numbers of) children, young people and learners are not on sitesite, but continue to be educated through remote or blended learning.

12. The absence of the headteacher, registered manager or registered provider, clinical commissioning group’s chief executive or the DCS or their equivalent will not normally be a reason for deferring an inspection.

13. The presence of an adviser or supporting organisation from the DfE’s Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme will not normally be a reason for deferring an inspection.

Requesting a deferral

14.13. ProvidersA shoulddeferral makerequest ashould deferralbe requestmade at the earliest possible opportunity (usually before 4.30pm4:30pm on the day of notification) to the inspection support administrator or the inspector who notifies the provider of the inspection. TheyA request can dobe thismade byon the telephone or in person.person, Theybut should alsobe confirmconfirmed it in writing (preferably by email) so that we can consider it promptly. During the period 10 November to the end of the autumn term 2025, Ofsted’s Deputy His Majesty’s Chief Inspector (DHMCI) will consider all deferral requests relating to inspections carried out under the renewed education inspection framework.

15.14. We normally expect any deferral request to come from the headteacher, proprietor, centre manager, childcare provider, nominated individual, ITE provider representative, nominated lead provider representative, registered manager and/or registered provider, or similar authority. However, ifin the case of a state-funded school that is part of a trust, we expect any deferral request to be made jointly by the headteacher and the trust. InThis thesemeans cases, we will ask thea headteacher making thea deferral request to confirm that they have agreed this with their trust, and anyone from a trust making a request to confirm that they have agreed it with the headteacher. If they cannot confirm this, we will consider the request on a case-by-case basis, taking theinto contextaccount intothe account.context. A deferral request may also come from someone elseother ifthan the usual people listed above because they are absent or ill. In those cases, the relevant Ofsted regional director (RD) will determine whether the inspection will take place, in consultation with the relevant national director, as appropriate.

16.15. We will not normally consider a deferral once an inspection has startedstarted, (see guidance below on inspections without notice), but we could consider pausing the inspection instead. InThere may be exceptional circumstances,circumstances where we may need to consider whether an unannounced inspection should go ahead.

17.16. When considering a deferral,deferral is requested, we will takeconsider into account whether the timing of aany rescheduled inspection would cause this to fall outside of any intervals or inspection windows prescribed in law or by the DfE. or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). For regulated early years and social care settings, we will also carry out a risk assessment to determine whether any other regulatory responses would be appropriate. We will continue to plan for the inspection while considering the request for deferral. If we agree to defer the inspection of a state-funded or non-association independent school, we can notify that school of the new inspection date on any day of the week, not just on a Monday.

18.17. In exceptional circumstances, it may prove difficult to contact the providerprovider. to notify them of an inspection. In these cases, the inspection will normally still go ahead. We will continue to try to contact the provider. If there continues to be no answer, weit will carrybe itcarried out as an unannounced inspection.

Considerations for deferring specific inspections

Monitoring inspections of maintained schools and academies

19.18. DuringIn the case of monitoring inspections, the presence of the headteacher is important in helping inspectors understand the school’s improvement journey. We are, therefore, more likely to defer the monitoring inspection if the headteacher is out of school, unless theythe areheadteacher is absent for a prolonged period, for example due to ill health.

Non-association independent school inspections

20.19. We may defer an inspection of a non-association independent school ifin the case of unavoidable absence of the headteacher or proprietorproprietor, (whenwhen this person is the only person with leadership responsibility in the school)school. is unavoidably absent. This decision is at the discretion of the relevant Ofsted RD.regional director.

21.20. When an independent school is also the provider of a regulated social care service, we will carry out a risk assessment to consider whether any other regulatory responses would be appropriate.

22.21. When a school requests a deferral of its inspection because there are no pupils on roll, and the DfE is already taking regulatory or enforcement action against the school, we will not agree to defer the inspection on thesethe grounds of no pupils being on roll alone.

23.22. IfWhen we are informed that a non-association independent school has already closed or that it is no longer operating as a school, we will consult the the DfE. The The DfE may may commission us to carry out an emergency inspection to check compliance with the independent school standards.

24.23. We will always inform the the DfE if if we grant a deferral of any type of non-association independent school inspection.

25.24. Non-association independent schools are charged a fee for standard, pre-registration and progress-monitoring inspections, as explained in the the Operatingoperating guide for standard inspections of non-association independent schools. An inspection fee will always be charged unless wea grantdeferral ais granted in line with our deferral policy before the start of on-site inspection activity.

26.25. If, whenin notifying a non-association independent school of an inspection, it proves difficult to contact the provider, we will contactcheck thethat the DfE has tono check whether it has any reason to believe that the school is no longer operating and to confirm thatan the inspection is still required.

Non-association Ifindependent theschools: DfEpre-registration decidesinspections

26. thatPre-registration theinspections inspectionof shouldnon-association beindependent cancelled,schools it will withdrawnot thebe commissiondeferred forbecause thea inspection.

Non-associationproposed independentschool schools:withdraws pre-registrationits inspections

27.application at, or following, notification. Pre-registration inspections will not go ahead if, before we notify the proposed school of its inspection, thewe are notified by the DfE that informs us that the proposed schoolschool’s hasapplication withdrawnfor itsregistration applicationhas forbeen registration.withdrawn. The inspection fee may still be payable, as set out in thethe handbook Inspectionfor informationadditional forinspections non-associationof independent schools.

28.27. AllPre-registration requestsinspections tomust defernot abe pre-registrationdeferred inspectionon after the notificationbasis callthat hasthe beenproposed madeschool willstates bethat decidedit inis accordancenot withready thefor inspection. The DfE’s informs Independentproposed schoolnew registrationschools guidance.that Requeststhey mustshould not apply to register if they will not be madeready to operate within the proposed timescale. The DfE, will andexpect thea leadproposed inspectornew mustschool to be informed.ready Theto leadundergo inspectora maypre-registration shareinspection, theirsince viewsthe onschool whetherwishes to accepteducate the(and, deferralfor requestboarding withschools and residential special schools, accommodate) pupils in the DfE.near Thefuture.

28. Proposed new schools should have already reported to the DfE any willincomplete considerbuilding works – or any other issues that may prevent inspectors gaining access to the meritssite – before we notify them of their inspection. Therefore, we will not normally defer a pre-registration inspection if the applicant’sproposed requestschool andstates Ofsted’sthat view,it inis comingnot ready for inspection, unless there are issues preventing access to athe decision,site and willthose notifyissues were communicated to us during the leadnotification inspectorcall. ofConsequently, itsif decision.inspectors Thearrive decisionon willsite beand communicatedare unable to carry out or complete the applicantpre-registration byinspection because they cannot access the DfEsite, for example due to incomplete building works, the inspection fee may still be payable, as set out in the handbook for additional inspections of independent schools.

29. IfIn acases when proposed new schoolschools strongly resistsresist a pre-registration inspection, we will report this to the the DfE.

Non-association independent schools: material change inspections

30. WeMaterial willchange inspections are not normally deferdeferred awhen material change inspection on the grounds that the school hasstates stated that it is not ready for inspection. The DfE expects schools to be ready forto receive a material change inspection, since the school willwishes want to implement the change in the near future. The timing of the inspection will have been determined by information that the DfE, giveswhich Ofstedincludes in its inspection commissioning form. This will include the date that the school intends to implement the change (if it is approved by the DfE).

31. InIf theit notificationtranspires call,in athe schoolnotification maycall tell us that ita school no longer wishes to continue with its application to make a a material change., In these cases, we will inform the the DfE. The inspection will normally not go ahead.

Area SEND inspections, ILACS and JTAIs  

32. We do not normallyanticipate having to defer areaan area SEND inspections,inspection, monitoring inspectionsinspection or thematic visits;visit; an ILACS short or standard inspections,inspection, or focused or monitoring visits;visit; or JTAIsa JTAI., Weother willthan only do so in exceptional circumstances. National reforms willshould not be grounds for deferral,deferral because maintaining effective oversight of education, SEND provision and children’s social care during this time is critical. If local areas arehave concernedconcerns about the timing of an inspection, they may submit a deferral request to the lead inspector duringat the point of notification call.of the inspection. We will consider each individual request on aits case-by-casemerits. basis,We will consider all requests in line with this policy and, as appropriate, jointly with our relevant inspection partners:partners (that is, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services,Services and HisHM Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.Probation). If a local area requests a deferral of its inspection/thematic visit, the lead inspector must notify Ofsted through the appropriate region as soon as possible.

Part 2: Pausing an inspection

33. When a deferral is no longer possible because the inspection has started, wethe inspection can still pausebe thepaused inspection.where We will only do this if there are exceptional circumstances that mean theit inspection cannot reasonably proceed. This also applies to regulatory visits in early years and social care. In eachall case,instances, we will need to carefully weigh up the risk of pausing against the risk of continuing, always acting in children’s,children’s youngbest people’sinterests andat learners’all besttimes. interests. In some instances, pausing an inspection will not be appropriate, such as in situations where we are concerned that children,children and young people and/or learners may be at risk of harm (see below). In inspectionsthe case of whichinspections where providers werehave given no notice, we may still choose to defer thean inspection at the first opportunity after inspectors arrive.

34. InThe the guidance below,below whenrefers we refer to the ‘lead inspector’:

• in most cases, this will be the inspector from Ofsted who is in charge of the inspection

• in some cases, it will be the sole inspector on the inspection

35. WhenThe weguidance referrefers to the ‘seniorsenior inspector’,inspector. thisThis will be the most appropriate senior inspector, depending on the remit.

36. InThe the guidance below,below werefers refer to contacting and passing information to theleaders’ leader’semployers employer(for if we have serious concerns about their welfare. For example, for state-funded schools, the employer would be the local authority, the board of governors or the trust.trust) However,where there are serious concerns about leaders’ welfare. There are, however, some leadersproviders havefor which there is no clear employer, often because theythe areleader is also the proprietor or owner of the provider and, therefore, havehas ultimate responsibility.

37. Before considering a formal pause, lead inspectors should consider whether other options are appropriate,appropriate such– asfor example, visiting a different location to complete the inspection or interviewing another member of staff. Inspectors should aim to complete the inspection wherever possible, with appropriate adjustments to the timetable as needed.

38. If inspectors see or suspect that a person is upset or distressed during the inspection, they should respond sensitively.sensitively. Inspectors Inspectors should treat all those they meet on inspection with professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect in line with the Codecode of conduct, and work in a way that does not createlead to significant additional stress foron leaders. It is entirely appropriate and acceptable for leaders to take a break from inspection activities or regulatory activities, asprovided longthe asinspection inspectors can completebe thecompleted inspection within the planned tariff and timescale. In exceptional circumstances, the inspection may be extended. This would not be considered a ‘pause’pause to inspection. Where appropriate, the lead inspector will inform the employer of any serious concerns. BeforeInspectors doing this, they should first contact a senior inspector in the region or regulatory inspection manager (RIM)/senior officer (SO) or quality-assurancequality assurance manager, where possible.practical to do so.

39. BeforePrior to or on arrival at the provider, the lead inspector will normally ask leaders who is responsible for their welfare.welfare This(usually is usually their employer.employer). Where applicable, inspectors will record the contact details of this individual or organisation.organisation, if given. If there is nonot an employer, leaders can provide the name of someone else who we may contact in an emergency. Before contactingmaking thiscontact, person, inspectors should first contact a senior inspector in the region or RIM/SO or quality-assurancequality assurance manager, where possible.practical to do so.

40. If leaders have not supplied the details of their employer oror, someone else to contact in an emergency, oranother ifperson inspectorswho cannotis makeappropriate to contact, or contact withcannot thisbe person,made, then inspectors are not expected to investigate who else to contact. TheyInspectors should however report thethis emergency to the relevant senior inspector (through the duty desk where applicable).applicable). 

41.40. WeIn addition to any action others may alsotake, contactOfsted othermay contact appropriate authoritiesauthorities, in an emergency. Inspectors should first contact a senior inspector in the region or RIM/SO or quality-assurancequality assurance manager, where possible.practical to do so.

42.41. If the lead inspector believes that theyall needof tothe stop all inspection activity needs to be stopped temporarily, they will need to consider formally pausing the inspection. This pause requires approval from the RD,regional director, who will make the final decision. ThisInspectors will make every effort to protect the integrity of the inspection, and so only happenexceptional circumstances will result in exceptionala circumstances,pause. forExceptional example:circumstances are likely to include:

• circumstances that compromise our ability to gather sufficient evidence to reach valid and reliable inspection outcomes

• circumstanceswhere leaders in whichthe leadersprovider require support (for example, from their employer)employer), becausewhich theremay arebe due to concerns about theirthe wellbeingwell-being of leaders

• aany other major incident that has a significant effect on the routine day-to-day running of the provision

• aany major incident that has a significant effect on the running of the inspection

Process for pausing an inspection

43.42. WePausing willan notinspection normallywill considerusually pausingnot anbe inspectionappropriate ifwhere we are concerned that children, young people and learners may be at risk of harm, or where there is regulatory or enforcement action against a provider. TheTheir safety and wellbeingwell-being of children, young people and learners are our first priority. In these circumstances, we maywould takenot othernormally stepspause insteadthe ofinspection, pausing,but may take other steps, such as extendingcontinuing the inspection but extending it over additional time or taking a short break.

44.43. Any pause will usually be initiated by the lead inspector. TheAny provider may request a pause, either from the lead inspector or the contact at Ofsted they werewill be given at notification. Open, honest and professional discussion sits at the heart of the decision-making process.

45.44. If thean lead inspector considers that an inspection may need to be paused, theythe lead inspector should use the relevant quality-assurancequality assurance support for that type of inspection.inspection They– willcontacting contact a senior inspector (including through the duty desk) or RIM/SO or quality-assurancequality assurance manager as appropriate (see table in annex) and their RD.regional director.

46.45. The lead inspector will set out to the senior inspector or SO via the duty desk the reason for the proposed pausepause, and suggeststate whether anya pause is necessary or other alternatives may be appropriate. These may include having a senior inspector take a remote, desktop review of the electronic evidence, or sendingdeploying a senior inspector to qualityquality-assure assure the inspection.

47.46. The senior inspector will check that inspectorsappropriate steps have been taken appropriateif stepsinspectors inare responseconcerned to concerns about the health or wellbeingwell-being of senior staff.

48.47. TheIn all circumstances, the lead inspector should always seek the provider’s views whenof decidingthe whetherprovider towhen pausemaking ana inspection.decision to pause. The provider may wantwish to make alternative arrangements to allow the inspection to continue and/or so they can take appropriate steps to ensure that continued leadership is in place, depending on the circumstances.

49.48. Any final decision needs to be made in line with the decision-making table in the annex to this guidance.

Length of the pause

50.49. The senior inspector and the lead inspector should consider the length of the pause. ThisLength will vary on a case-by-case basis.basis Inbut, in most circumstances, the inspection should resume on the next working day or at the earliest opportunity.

51.50. In deciding the length of the pause,pause we willwill, where applicable, consider how quickly the provider can confirm to inspectors that the issues leading to the pause have been addressed and that there is no significant negativedetrimental effect on itsthe day-to-day operations.operations of the provider.

52.51. In most cases, we would not expect a pause to extend beyond the period set out in the table in the annex. Thisto dependsthis document, depending on leaders’ capacity to maintain theirthe typical day-to-day operations of the provider, and/or on inspectors’inspector availability.

53.52. The length of the pause should balance the views of the provider with the circumstances leading to the pause and the need to put children, young people and learners first. Inspectors should be aware of the additional pressure that an extended pause can have on all those involved in an inspection.

Process for the provider requesting a pause to an inspection

54.53. If a provider wishes to request a pause to an inspection, they should normally ask the lead inspector.

55.54. If the provider has concerns that they do not feel that they can discuss with the lead inspector (for example, if the issue relatesis toconnected with the lead inspector or the inspection itself), they should contact a senior inspector on the number given to them during the inspection notification, or the provider contact helpline.

56.55. The senior inspector will listen carefully and record what has been said. Then, depending on the nature of the issue, they will usually contact the lead inspector to discuss the concern and decide how to proceed.

Next steps

57.56. If the decision is taken to pause the inspection, weOfsted will tell leaders (usually in person but always with a follow-up email from the lead inspector or senior inspector on behalf of the region):

• that the inspection is being paused

• the likely time frame for returning

• that this will not affect the findings of the inspection, and no inspection outcomes have yet been reached

• that we will inform them when the inspection resumes, which will be within the time frame already stated

• that the inspection team may potentially be different when the inspection resumes

58.57. If the decision is taken not to pause the inspection, the lead inspector/senior inspector should tell leaders that a pause was considered, and explain why wethe decision was made thisto decision.continue the inspection without a pause. They should also set out what other steps (if any) we are taking.being taken. The inspection team mustshould keep a record of these details.

59.58. The lead inspector should make sure that any relevant information about staff welfare and the welfare of children, young people and learners is passed on appropriately before leaving the site (or ending the off-site inspection).

Resuming the inspection

60.59. The inspection should resume in line with the agreed likely timeline. The circumstances leading to the pause will determine when and how the lead inspector willcontacts contact the provider to resume the inspection.

61.60. In some very exceptional cases, a pause may need to be longer than originally anticipated. In these circumstances, the inspection may need to be treated as an incomplete inspection.

62.61. WhenThe decidingdecision on whether to treat an inspection is to be treated as incomplete and when we use the ‘gathering additional evidence’ protocol,protocol we will take account of:

• the extent of the activity that remains to be completed

• the size and complexity of the inspection and whetherthe weability will be able to reschedule it in a timely wayway, (thisincluding iswhere especiallyit relevantis ina joint inspections)inspection

• whythe reasons the pause washas extendedbeen andextended; whetherfor example, it may be that the circumstances leading to the pause remain

63.62. The senior inspector must keep the provider informedinformed, throughoutand this process. They must alsoseek ensure that the Ofstednecessary managersign-off responsibleinternally forin makingline thewith finaldecision-making decision has agreed to it.responsibilities.

Considerations for pausing specific inspections

Aligned/integrated inspections of state-funded or independent boarding schools and residential special schools

64.63. IfWhere a boarding or residential special school’s education inspection is aligned/integrated with an inspection of its boarding or residential provision, any decisionsdecision onabout whetherpausing to pause the inspection willshould be made separately for theboth twoelements parts of the inspection. BecauseIt thereis arepossible, due to the different potential risks to childrenchildren, and young people and learners in boarding andor residential accommodation, wethat may make a different decision is made for eachone elementof the elements of the inspection. One inspection can be paused while the other continues.continues In(and these cases, the inspection would nocease longerto be aligned/integrated.aligned/integrated). However, we are not planning to carry out any aligned inspections in the 2025/26 academic year, except in exceptional circumstances. We expect to resume aligned inspections from September 2026.

Independent school inspections

65.64. We will always inform the the DfE if if we pause any type of independent school inspection.

FEFurther education and skills

66.65. WeWhere Ofsted normally askasks leaders who is responsible for their welfare.welfare This(usually is usually their employer.employer), Ifif theythere dois not have an employer, leaders can giveprovide us the name of someone else who we may contact in an emergency. The lead inspector will also inform the inspection nominee if there are any serious concerns.

Area Area SEND, ILACS and JTAIs

67.66. Area Area SEND inspections, ILACS and JTAIs all have evidence-gathering activities carried out both remotely and on site. Area Area SEND inspections and JTAIs are are carried out jointly with other inspectorates. If issues arise, inspectors will first consider changing the timing of a planned activity, and/or substitute that with another activity, such as visiting a different provider or office, rather than pausing the inspection.inspection. Each Each case will, however, be considered on its own merits, and will require coordination and agreement with the other inspectorates, where relevant.

ITE inspections

68.67. WhenWhere the event is a multi-phase inspection of ITE provision, it may be appropriate to pause only one phase of the inspection. As with some FEfurther education and skills providers, if there is no employer responsible for leaders’ welfare – for example, in ITE independent learning providers – leaders may provide the name of an alternative contact for emergencies. The lead inspector will also inform the inspection nominee if there are serious concerns.

Secure training centres

69.68. Secure training centre inspections are carried out jointly with CQC and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons. Any decision will require coordination and agreement with the other inspectorates.

Part 3: Gathering additional evidence protocol

70.69. This protocol applies:

• whenwhere we need to gather additional evidence to secure the inspection evidence base

• when a pause to an inspection goes on beyond the time specified in Part 2 (Pausing an inspection)

• when an inspection has been suspended in order to allow a school or FEfurther education and skills provider to resolve safeguarding issues with safeguarding

71.70. Part 3 of this guidance doesmay often not usually apply to thematic visits or individual visits that contribute to a wider report. For area SEND thematic visits, for example, we do not publish reports about individual areas or reach inspection outcomes for individual areas. We visit a small number of areas and share our findings in a national report. In rare instances when,where due to exceptional circumstances, a thematic visit extends beyond the time specified in partPart 2,2 due to exceptional circumstances, we will decide whether we have sufficient evidence from other visits on which to base our report findings on.findings.

72.71. If the evidence base is insecure or the inspection has been paused or suspended, we may need to gather further information in order to confirm and report on the inspection findings.

73.72. This policy does not apply when we have sent the final version of the inspection report to the provider.

74.73. This policy also does not apply when an inspection may be unreliable for reasons other than an insecure evidence base, including when:

• it may have been carried out using an incorrect statutory power

• the inspection outcomes reached relied on assessing matters or activities that fall outside our remits

In these circumstances, the regional director (RD), their relevant designated officer (RD’s delegate) or other relevant decision-maker should seek urgent legal advice before taking further action.

Incomplete inspections following a decision that the evidence base is insecure

75.74. The RD, the RD’s delegate or other relevant decision-maker will refer to the evidence base and any other appropriate material to decide whether the evidence base is secure.

76.75. If the decision-maker considers that partsthere ofare insecure elements in the inspection evidence basebase, are insecure, they will consider whether legal advice is required from our legal services team. The decision-maker will normally arrange for an evidence base review to be carried out.

77.76. Circumstances in which we may decide that an inspection is incomplete include:include when:

• when the evidence that the inspection team gathered and recorded does not substantiate key inspection outcomes

• when the conduct of the inspection meansmeant that we cannot rely fully on the evidence gathered and recorded to provide a fair and accurate view of the provider

• when the inspector or inspection team havehas not gathered sufficient evidence, or evidence of sufficient quality, to gainget a fair and accurate view of the provider

• when, after the inspection but before we have sent the final version of the inspection report to the provider, we received information that applied to the provider at the time of inspection; and that information means we need to review and reapply the evidence gathered at the inspection against the inspection outcomes

• the inspector or inspection team was not able to complete their on-site evidence-gathering for reasons beyond their or the provider’s control

Incomplete inspections following a pause in inspection

78.77. When an inspection is paused beyond the time specified in the annex of this document, it automatically becomes an incomplete inspection.

79.78. IfHowever, it is still possible that an inspection paused for less time than thatthe time specified in the annex, itof this document may subsequently turn into an incomplete inspection if itthe inspection cannot resume within that timescale.

80.79. A paused inspection that is deemed incomplete will normally require a further on-site visit.

Incomplete inspections following the inspection being suspended to allow a school or FEfurther education and skills provider to resolve issues with safeguarding

81.80. When we suspend an inspection to allow a school or FEfurther education and skills provider to resolve issues with safeguarding, it will automatically be considered an incomplete inspection. We will need to do an on-site visit to complete the inspection, followingusing the steps set out below.

What happens when we decide to gather additional evidence

82.81. We will take steps to secure or complete the evidence base. TheseThis may include a further visit to the provider to gather more evidence. Before visiting, inspectors will assess the security of evidence already gathered and will ordinarily use and build on that existing evidence unless it is not appropriate to do so, for example becauseif itthe evidence is insecurenot secure or is out of date. They will determine the appropriate weight to give to existing evidence in the circumstances.

We will confirm that the evidence base is secure and that the inspection process is complete before the inspection report is finalised.

83.82. Once we have decided that we need to secure or complete the inspection evidence, the decision-maker will normally write to the provider to:

• explain the reasons why additional evidence is required

• if appropriate, offer an apology

• if appropriate, request further evidence or arrange a follow-up conversation with the inspector

• if appropriate, confirm that an inspector/inspection team will carry out a further visit in order to gather and analyse the necessary evidence to secure or complete the evidence base, and that this visit will take place as soon as possiblepracticable

84.83. The decision-maker will also inform the relevant national director for education or regulation and social care, national director for delivery, DeputyDHMCI His Majesty’s Chief Inspector and HMCI of the decision.

85.84. InThere somemay circumstances,be circumstances where we may need to carry out a further inspection or visit to a provider without notice. For example, this could be in relation to a safeguarding or child protection matter that has been brought to our attention after the inspection and before we have sent the final version of the inspection report to the provider.

Delaying publication ofon the inspectionOfsted reportreports website to consider comments and concerns

86.85. We have established processes for checking thequality, qualityfinalising ofthe inspection reports,report finalising them and dealing with comments and concerns raised by providers. Providers receivehave a draft copy of their inspection report before it is published. This is an opportunity for them to highlight points relatingof to clarity or factual accuracy, or to submit a formal complaint about the inspection process or findings.findings, when they receive the draft inspection report about their provision. We will respond to any formal complaint before we finalise and send the final inspection report to the provider, provider, as set out in our complaints procedure.

87.86. On occasion, through our internal pre-publication quality-assurancequality assurance processes or whenour consideringconsideration of a formal complaint, we may identify elements of the evidence base that are not sufficiently secure.

88.87. In these cases, we will not publish the inspection report on ourthe Ofsted reports website until we are satisfied that the inspection outcomes are secure and that the inspection report narrative text of the report is appropriately supported by the evidence.

89.88. WeAfter willwe completehave anycompleted further activity necessary, including, where appropriate, considering any formalnecessary complaint.further Afteractivity, this, we will send the amended draft inspection report to the provider for comments. We will then finalise and publish the amended inspection report in line with our normal processes. This includes, where appropriate, consideration of any formal complaint before the final inspection report publication.

90.89. These situations should happen rarely. However, when they do, it is important that we maintain full and sensitive communication with the provider throughout.

Gathering additional evidence – next steps

91.90. Further activity may focus on the insecure or incomplete elements of the evidence base. However, in some instances, the decision-maker may determine that the inspector or inspection team must revisit all elements of the evidence base to ensure that thereliable inspection outcomes arecan reliable.be reached.

92.91. The decision-maker may determine that the inspection’s evidence base can be secured or completed by requesting and/or receiving specified evidence from the provider, without the need for a further visit.

93.92. If we decide we need to carry out a further visit,visit is necessary, the decision-maker will normally:

• write to the provider as outlined above

• determine whether it is practicable to use the same inspector or inspection team (we maintain the right to use a different inspector or inspection team)

• determine whether to request further evidence and information for planning before the further visit

• confirm withto the provider as soon as practicable:

  • the date of the further visit

  • the identity of the inspector (and inspection team members,members as applicable)

• and request any further evidence or information required before the further visit

94.93. We maintain the right to carry out a further inspection or visit without notice, for example in circumstances inwhere which concerns about the protection or safety of children have been brought to our attention.

95.94. At the end of the further visit:

• the lead inspector will giveprovide verbal feedback to the provider/manager in the usual way for the type of inspection being carried out or, if necessary, arrangemake arrangements with the provider/manager for feedback to givebe feedbackgiven at a later date

• the lead inspector will follow the usual steps set out in the relevant handbook or operating guide (if there have been any changes to this since the original visit, inspectors will use the handbook or operating guide as it was at the time of the original visit)

• we will complete the quality-assurancequality process,assurance asprocess set out in the relevant handbook or operating guide

• we will clarify what impact (if any) the further visit has on the timescale for reinspectingreinspection of that provider

Listing of inspectors and dates in reports following a visit to gather additional evidence

96.95. The inspection report following an inspection that involved a further visit to gather additional evidence will normally include the dates of both visits and the names of all the inspectors involved. In exceptional circumstances, it may not be appropriate to name all inspectors or include both dates on the inspection report. This is at the discretion of RD.regional directors.

Annex: Decision-makers and lengths of pauses

Remit	Decision-maker	Who in Ofsted needs to be consulted	Number of working days (see note 1) before a pause would engage part 3 of this guidance
State-funded schools	RDRegional director	Regional help desk, desk National help desk	5
Independent schools	RDRegional director	Regional help desk, desk National help desk	5
Early years and childcare provision	RDRegional director	Regional help desk, desk National help desk	5 (see note 2)
Initial teacher education	RDRegional director	Regional help desk, desk National help desk	15
ECTPEarly career framework (ECF) and national profession qualifications (NPQ )	RDRegional director	Regional help desk, desk National help desk	15
FEFurther education and skills	RDRegional director	Regional Senior His Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), , National help desk	15
Area SEND	RDRegional director in consultation with CQC	Quality-assuranceQuality assurance inspectors, national directors or their deputies and CQC	15
Childminder agencies	Senior HMI	RDRegional director	5
ILACS	RDRegional director	Quality-assuranceQuality assurance manager, national directors or their deputiesdeputies.	5 or 15 depending on the nature of the inspection activity
JTAIs	RDRegional director in consultation with the other inspectorates	Quality-assuranceQuality assurance manager, national directors or their deputies; the other inspectorates as relevant	15
Social SCCIF care common inspection framework inspections	RIM	Senior HMI/RD	5 (see note 2)
Cafcass	Deputy directors	Quality-assuranceQuality assurance manager, national directors or their other deputies	5 or 15 depending on whether it is a focused visit or a full inspection

Notes

<sup>1. A working day is usually any weekday other than a public holiday, which may not necessarily be the same as the days that an inspected provider might operate.
2. Noting that ifwhere the inspection or regulatory event is based on risk to children, it may not be possible to pause.</sup>

^{View Annex: Decision-makers and lengths of pauses.}