We're part of the adult learning sector and our inspectorate became part of OFSTED last year.

We've also, over the last couple of years, taken over a couple of services which also fall within scope, meaning that we have had inspections for the last three years and will have another in 2008. The latest was last week and we got 'good' across the board.

Doing the delivery bit is only half the story isn't it? The other biggie is making sure that all of your systems are in place and actually doing something to contribute to the level of service provided. We've been collared twice for having data available but doing bugger all with it.

The other thing is that the goal posts move all the time, so just because we were doing well last time doesn't mean we can sit on our laurels - improvement is the name of the game.

Not sure that wld's assertion about where inspectors come from is correct - ours all seem to have had pretty varied backgrounds and experience.

I registered as an Associate Inspector a couple of years ago myself -I thought, apart from anything else, it might give us a head start on what was needed.

And, they're probably not a patch on a gang of 13-16 year-old 'sociopaths', but trying to do something with a group of long-term unemployed people, who only turn up in order that their benefits aren't stopped, is no picnic!! Especially in front of an inspector!