Job Desc

Job Description Post

Freelance Early Years Inspector

Fee

Fee according to the appropriate tariff

Location

Home based

Line Manager

Inspection Team Manager or equivalent

Job Purpose To deliver against the strategic priorities of better inspection and regulation and better ways of working by:  Carrying out inspection visits in accordance with Ofsted’s inspection framework to encourage improvement and check compliance with requirements for registration;  Carrying out registration and other regulatory visits in accordance with Ofsted’s requirements to ensure compliance with requirements for registration;  Investigating and reporting on complaints and/or taking follow up action where there is evidence of non-compliance with regulations, conditions of registration or the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage;  Produce reports that are high quality, have clear and transparent judgements, are based on sound evidence, and are in an appropriate format.

Job Description Key accountabilities Inspectors in Prospects Early Years Inspection teams enable Ofsted to meet its statutory duties in carrying out four main regulatory functions for childcare provision. Inspectors play a crucial part in ensuring that child care providers and childminders meet the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and their conditions of registration.

1.

Registration - All early years and childcare providers have to be registered with Ofsted within nationally set timescales. Inspectors visit all applicants for the Early Years Register to check the premises and to carry out an interview to assess and recommend whether providers are able to deliver the welfare and learning and development requirements for registration on the Early Years Register. They make a recommendation about the suitability of the applicant, the proposed manager where applicable, and any proposed conditions of registration based on the visit and interview.

2.

Inspection - After registration inspectors inspect childcare providers and childminders at regular intervals according to government guidelines to ensure that the requirements for registration continue to be met. For providers on the Early Years Register, this includes judgements about the quality of the Early Years Foundation Stage in line with the Early Years Evaluation Schedule. They also provide feedback and, for those on the Early Years Register, judgements on the quality of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and produce

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inspection reports and letters in accordance with the Ofsted framework to the required quality and within a prescribed time scale. Inspectors may also be involved in the collection of information as part of surveys.

3.

Risk assessed inspections – An inspection of an early years provision may be brought forward when Ofsted receives information that suggests non-compliance with requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory framework, commonly from complaints made by parents or members of the public. Early Years inspectors are required to carry out inspections as directed by Ofsted’s Compliance, Investigation and Enforcement team in line with agreed protocols to ensure that providers continue to meet the requirements for registration. To use the relevant guidance and documents that support the evidence collection and reporting for these type of inspections

4.

Enforcement - Ofsted may use information gathered during an inspection or investigation to take action to ensure that childcare providers and childminders meet the requirements for registration, and any conditions of registration. In serious cases, statutory action may mean prosecuting providers or cancelling the registration of the childminder or childcare provider.

Inspectors support the Compliance, Investigation and Enforcement team in contributing evidence in the preparation of documents and papers for objections based on the evidence that they have gathered and may be required to attend tribunals.

Generic Responsibilities  To undertake training and shadow visits as required satisfying Ofsted and Prospects requirements for a professional, high quality workforce to be maintained at all times  To be responsible for the production of high quality reports, highlighting key judgements and evidence across the range of inspection services which meet Ofsted standards at all times and the requirements within the Prospects contract in relation Key Performance Indicators  To submit all work within submission deadline requirements. Reports and toolkits must be submitted for quality assurance within three days of the inspection event  To respond to quality assurance requests within 24 hours regarding any changes being required to a report that doesn’t meet the required standard at first submission  To respond to all requests immediately, within 24 hours, from Prospects or Ofsted in relation to any investigation or complaint received which the post holder has been involved with  To work in a confidential and professional manner representing Ofsted and Prospects adhering to strict protocols, policies and procedures at all times  To manage own resources (laptops etc) and risks effectively and in accordance with Prospects procedures and policies  To adhere to responsibilities under health & safety legislation and policies  To demonstrate a positive commitment to equalities and diversity  To adhere to responsibilities under security, information and health & safety legislation and policies  Any other task relevant and appropriate to the role.

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Additional requirements of the role 1.

The inspector role involves travelling to childminders and childcare providers and meetings with team members and other colleagues across the region. You may sometimes have to travel quite substantial distances which would be in agreement with your line manager.

Access to transport is essential

2.

Inspectors will need to have good IT skills and be competent in Microsoft word, outlook etc.

Inspectors communicate electronically with the regional office and others. They are responsible, with the administrators, for updating the Ofsted database regarding their work, producing reports, letters and instructions in electronic format

3.

To work across the contract area wherever required to undertake work assigned, this may be outside of your local area

4.

All inspectors are expected to declare any potential conflict of interest that may arise at any time within the contract area

5.

All inspectors are required to have an up to date enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check

6.

All freelance inspectors will be required to update and attend training, at their own expense, as required by Prospects

7.

Overnight stays may be required during induction, training and meetings

Personal Specification Qualifications  Degree qualification  Appropriate professional qualifications in early education, care or regulatory work Knowledge & Experience  In depth knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and its requirements  At least 3 years appropriate experience of working within childcare provisions, or advisory or inspection services  Experience of evaluation and impact assessments Skills  High quality communication skills, in writing and orally  Ability to provide evidence to support judgements made  Ability to maintain working patterns agreed with Prospects and self manage workload  Effective interpersonal skills  Ability to manage challenging situations  Ability to make judgements and recommendations that are well-founded based on secure evidence  Intermediate level of all Microsoft packages and experience of using company databases

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Personal Attributes  Commitment to making improvements to children’s lives  Agreement to working in accordance with Prospect’s Inspection Management System PIMS2, and all other management systems and policies  Demonstrable commitment to promoting sustainability, equalities and diversity  Resilient, organised and a problem solver, who is prepared to work independently  Ability to work with a diverse group of people and build good relationships quickly  Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure  Self motivated  Willingness to keep up to date with developments in early years and early years inspections

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