104.Sections 60 and 61 extend the existing powers and functions of HMCI to enable him to inspect, advise and report on education in the FE sector for pupils of compulsory school age; further education provided in the FE sector for those aged 16 and over but under 19 which is funded by the LSC; and further education provided by LEAs for persons under the age of 19. There is a regulation-making power to enable other educational provision to be prescribed as within the remit.
105.Section 62 provides a duty on HMCI to secure the inspection of institutions within the FE sector, except where the education provided at the institution is solely within the remit of ALI, at such intervals as may specified by the Secretary of State. There are provisions for publication of the reports of these inspections which are analogous to those applying to ALI (see section 55).
106.Sections 65 to 67 make provision for area inspections. The Secretary of State will have a power to direct HMCI to conduct an inspection in a specified area of England and to report on the quality, standards, availability and value for money of all education and training for people aged over 16 but under 19 within that area. Where the LSC or an LEA has provided resources for provision which is being examined in an area inspection, the inspection may extend to include the way in which the LSC or LEA has provided these resources and whether they provide value for money. There is also a power for HMCI to undertake such area inspections on its own initiative. When asked by HMCI, the Chief Inspector of Adult Learning must undertake part of the area inspection and, similarly, must give advice on education and training within his remit. Those conducting area inspections must have regard to the Common Inspection Framework (see section 69). There will be a duty on providers of education and training and any local authority in the area to provide relevant information to the Inspectors when reasonably requested to do so.
107.Under section 66 there will be a duty on HMCI to prepare and publish a report of an area inspection, and within that report to record the views of ALI which are relevant to its remit.
108.Section 67 makes provision for the Secretary of State to have a power to require that the LSC and relevant LEAs must produce plans following an area inspection which set out the action they will take in response to a report within a particular time. In writing an action plan, the LSC and any relevant LEA must consult such parties as the Secretary of State requires them to. Action plans must be published by the LSC and LEAs in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.
109.Section 68provides a general power for HMCI to advise the Secretary of State on issues within the new remit and gives HMCI the power to inspect and report on any education and training within that remit.
Commentary on Sections Part III - Inspections in England Chapter II: Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in England