Guidance: Inspecting secure training centres: framework

The framework and evaluation schedule for inspection of secure training centres, for use from 1 April 2026.

The framework sets out how Ofsted, together with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons and the Care Quality Commission, will inspect secure training centres. This framework came into force on 1 April 2026.

We carried out assurance visits of secure training centres from September 2020 until March 2021. View archived guidance on these assurance visits.

The framework has been updated to clarify the actions to be taken by HMIP researchers about safeguarding matters. Annex A has also been updated.

Following consultation, the ‘children’s resettlement’ judgement was removed from the framework while retaining a key focus on the plans and support for children moving back into the community and children moving to the adult estate.

We have clarified the process to raise concerns or complaints during and after an inspection. We have made minor changes to the evaluation criteria and on-site inspection sections to reference non-speaking children.

This framework has been updated to clarify that, when applying the handbook, inspectors will take appropriate action to comply with Ofsted’s Equality Act duties, clarification on the opportunities for the centre to discuss and/or provide information on potential equalities duties, including reasonable adjustments for individuals, clarification regarding Ofsted’s updated arrangements for publishing the report, quality assurance and handling concerns and complaints in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process in the timeframe sections and references to Ofsted’s pausing process. Updated the Annex A.