Guidance to support early career teachers (ECTs), their headteachers and mentors.
Guidance for schools: how to manage ECF-based training is available on the GOV.UK website.
Statutory induction data return deadlines for the 2022/2023 academic year for registering ECTs with your appropriate body
Autumn term
19 October 2022 – ECTs starting September 2022
Spring term
22 February 2023 – ECTs starting January 2023
Summer term
24 May 2023 – claims for ECTs starting April 2023
Derbyshire local authority currently supports ECTs through their 2-year induction period in schools across Derbyshire.
We strongly believe that supporting and developing new teachers is an essential part of meeting the growing demands and expectations within the classroom and across every phase of education.
The Appropriate Body for Early Career Teacher (ECT) Induction service in Derbyshire has a strong reputation for excellence, providing a service which encompasses both best practice and high standards. We are dedicated to supporting ECTs and schools to ensure a successful process.
From September 2021, the Early Career Framework (ECF) reforms will create a step change in support for ECTs, providing a funded entitlement to a structured two-year package of professional development.
Early career framework reforms: overview
Appropriate Bodies (ABs) will continue to play a key role in the induction period for ECTs and will have an additional quality assurance role regarding the professional development programme undertaken by ECTs.
Statutory Induction Guidance
It is important to note that the ECF does not replace the requirement for schools to register with an AB, but will run alongside it.
Derbyshire County Council will act as an AB for the schools in Derbyshire. We will continue to use the NQT Manager website as the main administration tool and as such, schools will continue to be able to use this for both ECT registrations, assessments and all previous functions.
The Derbyshire AB service will be managed by Catherine Harris and will remain your main contact regarding queries, support requests etc. Equally, you will be able to contact the ECT manager helpdesk or via our email address ect@derbyshire.gov.uk
ECT manager is an online system, which allows you to complete the entire induction process digitally. The system will allow you to register your ECTs and complete assessments on the internet. You will no longer be required to fill out paper registration and assessment forms.
Access the system via the Derbyshire - ECT Paperless Induction and Assessment Management System. If you have a new ECT and have not previously received login details, you will need to register yourself. This can be accessed via the blue box titled ‘Register your school’ and following the instructions provided. For security reasons, we will need to check your details and this can take up to 48 hours before you’ll be authorised to use the site.
Currently, ECTs need to register with an appropriate body service. Details about Introducing the Early Career Teacher Induction Service can be found on the Derbyshire Service for Schools (S4S) website.
AB Reforms - updates for schools - January 2023
On 15 November 2022, the Department for Education (DfE) published a response to the consultation on appropriate body reform and induction assessment, held from 26 May to 21 July 2022. We appreciate that these changes will impact schools, and to support the transition, the DfE has prepared briefing pack. (See Related documents).
From September 2024, Teaching School Hubs (TSHs) will become the main provider of AB services (except for specialist ABs for some independent and overseas schools). Local authorities (LAs) will withdraw from their AB role in two stages. Firstly, from September 2023 they will not take on any new ECTs. Then, from September 2024 they will cease operating as ABs.
Schools who access AB services through a local authority will need to ensure that from September 2023 they register all new ECTs with a TSH AB. Schools will also need to ensure that any ECTs who are registered with an LA AB and who do not complete their induction by September 2024 are then transferred to a TSH AB.
The briefing pack is to help appropriate bodies (ABs) provide schools with the information they need about what is changing with local AB services, and any choices school leaders and induction tutors may need to make about how they access appropriate body (AB) services in the future to support the induction of early career teacher (ECTs).
Here in Derbyshire, we recognise the strength in practice that exists in our organisations. The experience and expertise that each of us have gained as providers or ABs will be invaluable as we go through this period of transition together.
For any queries regarding your ECT’s induction/assessments or technical issues such as login issues and guidance using the website, please contact the ECT Team:
Email: ect@derbyshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01629 532805
Guidance manuals for headteachers, tutors, induction coordinators, school administrators and a general ECT guidance manual are available from the ECT website.
Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)
Employees with continued NQT status at 1 September 2021 will continue to use this service. Early career teachers who began their induction pre-September 2021 have until September 2023 to complete their 1 year induction.