Senior Site Inspection NVQ Requirements
This qualification recognises professionals who carry out senior-level inspection and quality assurance duties on construction sites. It shows you can manage inspections, monitor project quality, lead teams, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and technical standards.
This qualification is aimed at experienced construction professionals who already hold responsibility for inspection, quality monitoring, or site oversight and want formal recognition for senior-level duties. Typical roles include:
- Senior Site Inspector / Clerk of Works (Senior/Principal)
- Building Quality Inspector / Construction Quality Manager
- Technical Inspector / Senior Construction Inspector
- Site Quality Assurance Lead
- Compliance Manager
- Construction Auditor (Quality / Technical)
- Assistant Project Manager with inspection oversight
To achieve this NVQ, you must show that you can consistently perform senior inspection and management tasks. Key areas include:
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Project Quality & Oversight
- Monitor work to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, and quality standards
- Lead inspections and identify recurring defects or non-compliance
- Verify corrective actions are implemented effectively
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Professional Practice
- Act impartially and ethically in all inspection duties
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information correctly
- Communicate professionally with clients, subcontractors, and project teams
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Interaction & Team Management
- Coordinate communication between trades, designers, managers, and clients
- Lead inspection teams or quality assurance personnel
- Resolve site-based issues or conflicts professionally
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Technical Information Systems
- Set up and maintain document and inspection record systems
- Ensure the correct flow of drawings, specifications, and reports
- Confirm teams use up-to-date information
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Health, Safety & Welfare Management
- Verify health, safety, and welfare systems are effective and compliant
- Monitor site audits and follow up on corrective actions
- Ensure welfare facilities and emergency arrangements meet standards
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Project Progress & Handover
- Monitor programme progress and highlight potential delays
- Manage snagging, re-inspections, and final sign-offs
- Support project handover and documentation for clients
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Optional Units (depending on chosen pathway)
- Maintenance oversight, property condition surveys, or test process monitoring
- Team development, workforce planning, dispute resolution, or customer service problem-solving
Evidence (from current or previous projects) must show that you carry out these tasks on site. Acceptable evidence types may include:
- Completed inspection reports and snagging records
- Site diaries or monitoring logs
- Photos and short video diaries of a typical inspection work
- Health & safety audits and compliance checklists
- Dimensional checks, measurement logs, or QA documentation
- Handover packs, O&M information, and completion documentation
- Evidence of team leadership, mentoring, or workforce planning
- Emails or reports demonstrating dispute resolution or problem-solving
- Records from client feedback or property condition assessments
For details on the qualification units, see the "Qualification Structure" section.
NVQ Level 6 Senior Site Inspection Qualification Structure
To achieve this qualification, you must complete a minimum of 8 units - all mandatory units, plus one unit from optional group A, and one unit from optional group B.
NVQ Level 6 Senior Site Inspection Mandatory Units
| Unit Title |
Level |
| Monitor project quality in construction |
6 |
| Practice in a professional manner in construction |
6 |
| Manage interaction with others in construction |
4 |
| Set up and manage technical information systems in construction |
4 |
| Verify and maintain systems for managing site health, safety and welfare in construction |
4 |
| Manage project progress and handover in construction |
6 |
Optional Group A (1 unit required)
| Unit Title |
Level |
| Implement agreed policies and programmes for undertaking maintenance works in construction |
6 |
| Confirm and report on property condition in construction |
6 |
| Monitor test processes in construction |
6 |
Optional Group B (1 unit required)
| Unit Title |
Level |
| Manage and develop teams and individuals in construction |
6 |
| Recruit and plan the workforce in construction |
6 |
| Evaluate and progress the resolution of potential disputes in construction |
6 |
| Monitor and solve customer service problems in construction |
6 |
Senior Site Inspection NVQ Assessment Process
Typically, it takes 1 (in some cases 2) assessment sessions to cover the health and safety management criteria. This qualification is usually completed remotely through Teams or Zoom video calls.
While the assessment process can vary depending on your package selected at the time of your booking (for options, see the booking form), we can outline typical steps you can expect during your assessment. However, given the dynamic nature of our industry, we always adapt the process to best accommodate your individual circumstances.
For simplicity, let’s break down the process of a typical level 6 senior site inspection assessment into 6 chronological steps.
Step 1 Introduction
You will receive an instructional email providing start-up guidance, including a list of product evidence examples and suggestions for effective collaboration with your assessor. This will help you identify the evidence you need to compile for your assessment portfolio.
Step 2 Welcome Call
You will arrange an induction call (usually a video call) to discuss the assessment requirements, your role, and the product evidence from your current or previous projects. During this call, you will agree the next steps and gain a clear understanding of what you need to prepare for the first assessment session. The assessor will also email any required course materials.
Step 3 Compile Evidence
Based on the assessor’s guidance and advice, you will begin compiling evidence (if not already available) for the assessment session.
Step 4 The Assessment
Once you have gathered sufficient evidence for the first session, you will arrange a video call to review your files and explain your work processes and methods. Depending on your preparation, this session may cover up to 100% of the assessment criteria.
Step 5 Assessment Progress
Following the first session, the assessor will review your evidence and carry out a gap analysis to identify any remaining requirements. If applicable, you will receive feedback outlining the steps needed to address these gaps.
Step 6 Completion
Our goal is to cover all criteria and complete your assessment as efficiently as possible. Once 100% of the assessment criteria have been met, we will finalise your portfolio and proceed to claim your qualification from the Awarding Body.
Funded Qualification
