This handbook sets out what inspectors need to consider when evaluating the four inspection areas in work-based learning apprenticeship providers. It explains ‘What we inspect’. It should be read in conjunction with the document ‘How we inspect’, which sets out our approach to inspection. There is a separate handbook entitled ‘How we inspect’ that explains the inspection process and methodology.

The guidance is essential reading for reporting inspectors and all other members of the inspection team, including the nominee. It may also be useful for providers to support their understanding of the inspection guidance. There is a separate handbook that explains the inspection process and methodology, ‘How we inspect’.

The four inspection areas are set out below:

Inspection areas

IA1 – Learning

1.1  Standards and progress in learning and skills

1.2 Attitudes to learning

IA2 – Well-being, support and guidance

2.1 Personal development and impact on well-being

2.2 Safeguarding

IA3 – Teaching, training, assessment and learning experiences

3.1 The breadth, balance and appropriateness of the provision

3.2 Quality of teaching, training and assessment

IA4 – Leadership and management

4.1 Quality and effectiveness of leaders and managers, including governance

4.2 Self-evaluation processes and improvement planning

4.3 Professional learning

This handbook sets out our approach to inspecting apprenticeship programme providers from 2024 onwards. It explains how we inspect. The guidance is essential reading for reporting inspectors and all other members of the inspection team. It may also be useful for providers to support their understanding of the inspection mind-set and methodologies.

The guidance should be read alongside ‘What we inspect’ guidance in work-based learning apprenticeship programme providers, which outlines the inspection framework. Providers can use this guidance to see how inspections work and to help them in strengthening their own self-assessment and improvement processes.

Where the inspection identifies practice worth sharing, inspectors will invite the provider to write a case study that we will publish on our website. Where the inspection identifies important concerns in relation to standards, quality of education and training or leadership and management, we will arrange follow-up activity to support improvement. Guidance on follow-‑up activity is presented at the end of this document.

There is further information about inspections on our website www.estyn.gov.wales