Contracted Ofsted inspectors for early years childcare and social care

If you have the necessary qualifications and experience, you might be able to contract with us as an Ofsted inspector for childcare.

Ofsted can enter such contracts under schedule 12, paragraph 11 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

We also have a permanent employed inspector workforce of Regulatory Inspectors. There is separate guidance if you want to become a Regulatory Inspector.

Who can be a contracted Ofsted inspector: for early years

You can be a contracted inspector if you are:

• a serving practitioner
• a non-serving practitioner

Serving practitioners

If you work in an early years provider inspected under the previous inspection framework (before 10 November 2025)

The provider you work for should have been judged good or outstanding at its last inspection, if this was before September 2025.

We will also consider talented leaders currently working in providers that were judged less than good. You will need to show clear evidence that you have:

• previous experience of leading a provider that is good or outstanding
• achieved sustained, measurable improvement at your current provider

If you work in an early years provider inspected under the renewed inspection framework (from 10 November 2025)

The provider you work for should have been graded ‘met’ for safeguarding and ‘expected standard’ or above for all other evaluation areas.

There should be no open regulatory cases against the provider you work for, any providers you are associated with, or the group you are the nominated individual for. If the group has recently purchased a provider with an open regulatory case or there are other exceptional circumstances, we may consider your application.

You will not be able to apply if:

• your provider does not meet all of the safeguarding, welfare and early education requirements of the early years foundation stage framework
• you have previously been barred from being a proprietor or headteacher of a school under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

Regional directors will make the final decision, taking account of the interests of children and learners, and the need to maintain Ofsted’s reputation for high-quality work.

Non-serving practitioners

You will be able to apply if you can demonstrate up-to-date knowledge, practice and expertise in your sector. You will not currently be working at a provider inspected or regulated by Ofsted.

If you have previously worked at one or more providers that have been inspected or regulated by Ofsted, the provider should have been graded good or outstanding at its most recent inspection.

The above criteria for talented leaders will also apply for non-serving practitioners.

Who can be a contracted Ofsted inspector: for social care

You can be a contracted inspector if you are:

• a serving practitioner
• a non-serving practitioner

You must not have been previously barred from being a proprietor or headteacher of a school under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

We must also be satisfied that you are not connected with any inspection judgements or circumstances that may undermine your track record as an effective leader or credibility as an inspector.

Qualifications and experience required: for early years

Your qualifications

You will need to be educated to degree level, have an equivalent level 6 qualification or have equivalent experience, such as:

• a teaching qualification
• an early years qualification
• a vocational or leadership and management qualification

Your experience

You will need at least 3 years’ experience in the early years sector, for example:

• as a teacher
• providing childcare and early education
• as an early years manager
• providing early years training, inspecting or advising

You will also need to have experience in more than one provider.

Qualifications and experience required: for social care

You will need to have one of the following qualifications:

• social work degree or an equivalent professional social work qualification (for example, a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) or a Diploma in Social Work (DipSW))
• level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• an equivalent qualification, as defined by the Department for Education’s guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, 2015

Qualified social work applicants will also need to be registered with Social Work England.

In addition to the qualifications above, you will need:

• a minimum of 5 years’ experience at a senior level in providing children’s social care services (social care local authority only)
• a detailed knowledge and understanding of current social care issues and legislation gained in a suitably wide range of settings
• sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection processes and procedures
• experience of preparing and delivering written reports and presentations to senior forums and boards

Skills and competencies required

You must be able to:

• use evidence to form hypotheses and questions
• identify priorities
• use evidence and your knowledge to evaluate options and arrive at well-reasoned decisions
• weigh complex and conflicting evidence to reach robust judgements
• write clear, accurate records and reports that explain your judgements convincingly and accurately

Register your interest

If you believe you meet the above requirements, you can register your interest to contract as an Ofsted inspector.