What Ofsted often ask during inspections
Early years providers work incredibly hard to ensure their settings are safe, supportive environments for children. However, when an Ofsted inspection takes place, leaders are often unsure exactly what inspectors will want to see from an HR and safeguarding perspective.
While every inspection is different, there are several areas inspectors frequently ask about when reviewing staff management, recruitment, and safeguarding processes.
Safer Recruitment Processes
Inspectors will often want to understand how your setting ensures that staff are suitable to work with children. This includes reviewing your recruitment process and confirming that appropriate checks have been carried out before employment begins.
You may be asked to demonstrate:
How you verify a candidate’s identity
Evidence of qualifications and employment history checks
References obtained before employment starts
A valid enhanced DBS check
The use of a single central record or similar system to track recruitment checks
Having clear documentation and consistent procedures is essential.
Safeguarding Checks for Staff Who Have Lived or Worked Abroad
One area that often raises questions during inspections is safeguarding checks for individuals who have lived or worked in another country.
Inspectors may ask how your setting ensures appropriate background checks have been completed in these circumstances. In addition to the usual recruitment checks, settings may need to obtain:
Certificates of good conduct or police checks from the relevant country
Additional references covering the period spent abroad
Evidence that risks have been considered where overseas checks are difficult to obtain
It is important for providers to show that they have taken reasonable steps to verify a person’s suitability to work with children, even when standard DBS checks may not fully cover time spent overseas. Remember, DBS checks only cover the jurisdiction of England & Wales.
Staff Supervision and Ongoing Safeguarding Awareness
Inspectors will often ask how safeguarding responsibilities are maintained after recruitment. This can include:
Regular staff supervision meetings
Safeguarding training and refreshers
Clear procedures for raising concerns
Evidence that safeguarding is regularly discussed within the setting
Demonstrating that safeguarding is embedded in everyday practice is just as important as the initial recruitment checks.
Policies and Procedures
Inspectors may also review your safeguarding and safer recruitment policies to ensure they are:
Up to date
Consistent with current statutory guidance
Clearly understood by staff
Policies should not simply exist on paper — staff should be familiar with them and able to explain how they apply them in practice.
Preparing for Inspection
For many settings, inspections can feel daunting. However, having clear HR processes, robust recruitment checks, and well-maintained documentation can make the process much smoother.
A quick internal review of your HR and safeguarding processes before an inspection can help identify any gaps and ensure your setting is fully prepared.
If you run an early years setting and would like support reviewing your HR processes or preparing for inspection, Leo HR provides specialist HR support for Ofsted-regulated providers.
