CYP Now - Children’s services inspection

Ofsted says the children’s services inspection regime is working well, but an independent assessment found areas for improvement. The ADCS’s Steve Crocker tells Jo Stephenson how ILACS can be refined.

Concerns over grades can contribute to an over-emphasis on bureaucracy at the expense of improving practice. Picture: wichayada/Adobe Stock

The Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) framework was introduced in early 2018 and so far the response from the sector has been positive.

A review of the new system by Ofsted found it provided “a rigorous, proportionate and efficient inspection system that thoroughly investigates local authority social work practice” and was seen as “detailed and robust” by those being inspected.

It’s fair to say directors of children’s services (DCS) regard it as an improvement on the previous inspection regime, says Steve Crocker, chair of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services’ standards, performance and inspection policy committee.

But he adds that it is “a work in progress” containing elements that can still be improved.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included