How we ensure our approaches to inspection and review are of a high quality?

To ensure our approaches to inspection are of a high quality, we’re committed to a set of principles. The 10 principles provide a reference to inform the development of any new approaches to inspection and review. They are: 

1. independence, impartiality and accountability 
2. having all learners or users at the heart of inspection and review 
3. equality and diversity 
4. transparency and mutual respect 
5. observing practice and experiences directly: focusing on outcomes and impact 
6. building on self-evaluation 
7. working in partnership with users of our services and other providers/scrutiny bodies 
8. improvement and capacity building 
9. proportionality, responsiveness and assessment of risk 
10. best value 

In addition to these principles, we develop and maintain a set of specific inspection guidance. They describe how we work in particular sectors or areas of provision.  

These show how our inspection principles are put into practice in the particular sectors or areas.​  

Read more about inspection and review guidance

Downloads

Principles of inspection and review (PDF, 1.5MB)​

Ten principles diagram (PDF, 94KB)