CYP Now - Ofsted to focus on impact of children’s social care exemptions as local authority visits resume

Ofsted is set to assess local authorities on the impact of controversial exemptions to children’s social care legislation on services during the Covid-19 pandemic as so-called assurance visits resume in September.

Yvette Stanley: It’s vital that we look at how children are being cared for and protected. Picture: Ofsted

The inspectorate will also focus on how councils are encouraging attendance at school among pupils and preventing disadvantaged children “slipping through the net” as England eases out of lockdown.

New guidance published by Ofsted for both local authorities and children’s social care providers inspected and regulated by the body lays out timeframes, key areas of focus and appeals information for the visits which will be ungraded until full inspections resume between January and April 2021.

Inspectors are set to question providers over the use of social care exemptions introduced in April via The Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.

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