Seconded Ofsted Inspectors fall into one of three categories: Contracted to complete three inspections in an 18 month period.

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1 Job specification Seconded Inspector Social Care Section 1: Role details Context We are seeking seconded Ofsted Team Inspectors. We are keen to attract the best and most experienced social care professionals to apply, with their employers consent, to fill the team inspector roles we have available. We welcome expressions of interest for this role. We have made clear our intention to increase the number of serving practitioners on our inspection teams and hope that the opportunity to be seconded to a team inspector role offers serving practitioners the opportunity to work with Ofsted on a basis that suits you, your employer and us. Time commitment Seconded Ofsted Inspectors fall into one of three categories: One year full time Two year full time or Contracted to complete three inspections in an 18 month period. All seconded Ofsted inspectors who are seconded for either one or two years will, after training, fulfil a role similar to that of a substantive social care HMI; undertaking inspections and playing their part in other activities associated with the role which may include local authority improvement work, complaints investigation and policy and inspection framework development. Those seconded Ofsted inspectors who are recruited on a contract that specifies they will complete three inspections in an 18 month period will take part in agreed inspections only and will work for their substantive employer for the rest of their contracted period. Ofsted will make every effort to ensure that these inspections are, as far as possible, scheduled taking into account the seconded inspectors wider responsibilities. Secondments Prior to completing the expression of interest form all potential secondees should seek agreement from their employer that they will be able to be seconded to Ofsted.

2 Title: Job specification 2 of 7 All those who successfully pass through the Expression of Interest and selection process, will receive an individual secondment agreement setting out the terms of engagement with Ofsted. This will include: the terms and conditions of the secondment; the services to be delivered and the region(s) to which you will be connected; the minimum amount of inspection activity in which you will be involved and the length of your secondment ; and will make clear that your current employer will remain responsible for your conditions of permanent employment throughout the period of your secondment. Seconded Ofsted Inspectors contracted on a three inspection in 18 months basis will be expected to periodically provide Ofsted with details of their availability and we will endeavour to use this information to schedule you to undertake inspections on dates that suit you. However there will be times when Ofsted requires additional capacity on inspection teams at short notice and you should expect to be contacted in these circumstances to establish whether you are available. There will be no remuneration for those seconded to do three inspections in 18 months. In return for their time on inspection they will receive high quality ongoing training and development aligned to training for HMI. Mandatory training will be provided free of charge. Travel and subsistence Seconded Ofsted Inspectors will be eligible to claim for travel and subsistence if an inspection takes place which requires inspectors to be away from home and stay in a hotel as part of the inspection team. The claim will be based on current Ofsted rates. Training All seconded Ofsted inspectors will be offered high quality ongoing training and development aligned to training for HMI. Mandatory training will be provided free of charge. This will consist of: regular briefings and updates via elearning activities; and regular framework training consisting of preparatory reading and face-to-face training. The majority of face to face training will take place alongside HMI. In addition, Ofsted Inspectors will receive support and coaching from buddy HMI to develop their practice through professional dialogue. Travel and subsistence will be provided as part of the offer.

3 Title: Job specification 3 of 7 What do we expect? This section outlines our requirements from those seconded Ofsted inspectors who contract from April In this section, you will find information on: the time commitment we will expect from you and our terms; and the quality we will expect from you. Quality of inspection Our offer to seconded Ofsted inspectors and our selection process is designed to improve the quality of inspection. It is our intention to improve the quality and consistency of inspection. We will give seconded Ofsted inspectors the coaching and training they need to be successful and will ensure we can take steps to address any underperformance. All seconded Ofsted inspectors will be expected to meet Ofsted s performance requirements. Seconded Ofsted inspectors work will be rigorously and routinely quality assured. On all inspections, lead inspectors will quality assure the performance of each team inspector (including those who are seconded Ofsted inspectors), and team inspectors will have the opportunity to self-evaluate their performance. Seconded Ofsted inspectors inspection outputs (inspection evidence, contributions to reports, improvement work and complaints) will be routinely quality assured. Feedback from the outcomes of quality assurance will be shared with seconded Ofsted Inspectors and they will be expected to respond conscientiously and promptly during the quality assurance process. By ongoing collation and review of QA information, Ofsted will inform its overall work on training and policy and will identify performance that does not meet requirements, respond quickly, clearly and fairly to any performance issues. This may include dealing with unsatisfactory performance. Different levels of weak performance will elicit different actions with the aim of securing improved performance. This could include further training, a reduction in inspection activity, mentoring support from HMI, as well as ceasing to be a seconded Ofsted Inspector.

4 Title: Job specification 4 of 7 Section 2: Person specification Competency Qualifications Degree level qualification or equivalent. A recognised professional social work qualification. / desirable Tested by Application form Knowledge and experience A secure, deep and broad knowledge and understanding of current social care issues gained in a suitably wide range of settings. An awareness of the current changes taking place in children s social care and inspection and the ability to keep up to date across a wide range of professional matters. An understanding of the key stakeholders in children s social care, and the operational and political context of each. Competency - Leadership HMI are expected to lead inspections of high quality across a variety of settings. In doing so, they get the best out of others and challenge less than good performance. Their leadership of people and inspection is engaging and insightful. Demonstrates a strong focus on learners at all times. A role model for Ofsted values; able to hold discussions around challenging topics sensitively but with no room for ambiguity. Ability to command confidence through being authoritative and influential. Application form/ assessment/

5 Title: Job specification 5 of 7 Competency - Drive and Resilience HMI are expected to show determination and tenacity. They are positive and forward-looking and challenge those that are reluctant to improve or change. Ability to hold others to account for priorities and swiftly respond to changing requirements. Ability to prepare effectively and meet deadlines. Ability to demonstrate resilience, whilst being responsive, open and honest about challenges. Competency - Collaboration, communication and influencing HMI are expected to build strong relationships and to communicate authoritatively and with clarity, including in writing. They influence others and understand the impact of their own behaviour on others. Ability to establish partnerships and to communicate and establish high expectations of self and others Ability to actively build constructive and open relationships with networks of colleagues, contacts and organisational partners. Excellent communicator able to identify and use appropriate styles and methods, including digital channels, appropriate to the audience. Ability to produce clear written records and reports expressing judgements cogently and precisely in writing. Competency Judgement and effective decision making HMI are expected to use evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert, insightful and professional advice or judgements, which are based on clear and incisive thinking.

6 Title: Job specification 6 of 7 They identify priorities and gather and analyse evidence to evaluate options before arriving at wellreasoned, justifiable decisions. Decisions take account of deep analyses of evidence and data. Ability to use data and other evidence to formulate hypotheses and questions. Ability to weigh up complex and conflicting evidence, reach robust judgements and record these. Ability to adopt a cost effective approach to the use of resources. Ability to assess the impact of evidence on likely outcomes for pupils and identify an appropriate plan taking into account the wider context.

7 Title: Job specification 7 of 7 Section 3: Application and selection Application Applications must be made using our online application form. Please note that your statement of suitability should not exceed 500 words. Your statement of suitability should address all essential knowledge and experience criteria as outlined in Section 2: Person specification. The essential competencies will be tested at assessment and only. The closing date for submission of applications is 12 midnight on Sunday 4 October 2015 but earlier receipt would assist us. Late applications will not be considered so please ensure they reach us by the closing date. If you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact us on or by ing inspectionrecruitment@ofsted.gov.uk. If you have a query specifically about the role and wish to discuss this, please contact us using the same details to arrange for a member of the Senior Management Team to call you. Selection All applications will be considered by the selection panel. The panel will consider the relevant qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrated in the application form. We will inform you whether or not you were successful at each stage. The most suitable candidates will be invited to complete an assessment centre in November Interviews for those shortlisted after assessment centre will take place in early December 2015.