ADCS condemns Ofsted for wasting time and money

michael carroll - 24 November 2009

I have raised my concerns directly with Ofsted.this is there reply [3/7/09 ]...

" Dear Mr Carroll

Thank you for your email of 24 June 2009, updating me on your continued concerns in relation to Stockport Council.

I recognise the strength of your feelings and appreciate your deep concern about the welfare of your son. However, as I explained in my response of 4 March 2009, Ofsted's inspection and regulatory powers do not extend to investigating individual cases. My advice remains that you should raise your concerns by contacting the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman through your local Member of Parliament.

I realise that you have emailed Ofsted and written to a number of other agencies expressing your dissatisfaction with Stockport Council's handling of your son's case. While I appreciate that it must be very unsatisfactory to not to have these issues resolved after such a length of time, unfortunately, Ofsted cannot take your concerns forward in the way you request. I am sorry that we are not able to assist you further but I hope that this information enables you to find the support that you require"

That was from C. Gilbert.

Altough OFSTED does mnot extend its investigation into "individual cases ", the fact that OFSTED have been made aware of concerns about stockport social services , were not I believe, taken into account in the recent investigation ,where the ofsted representatives relied on information given to them by the very departments they should be inspecting!

A 'tick' box exercise just isn't good enough.....what is needed is a fully independent investigation with no direct or indirect involvement from any council representative.

Charlotte Peters Rock - 24 November 2009

"We will not shy away from expressing our findings when we see shortcomings, even if this is uncomfortable for the professionals delivering services."

The pity of it is that OFSTED will not act to closely inspect when it is informed that things are desperately wrong and the actions of local authority staff are harming children. I have a letter from Christine Gilbert today, which states precisely this.

What is the problem? Is it contained in the small word 'see' in the quote above? If OFSTED never goes to the social work departments which so let down vulnerable children, of course it cannot 'see'. Can it?

Therefore there is no problem.

OFSTED should not be considering the discomfort of 'the professionals delivering services'. It has a duty under the Children's Act to safeguard CHILDREN, not well paid 'professionals' who do not act by their job description.

But of course, OFSTED staff regard themselves as 'professionals' as well. Could it be that they are more interested in looking after their own kind than safeguarding welfare, education and other needs of the children whose failing 'services' they supposedly inspect?