Safeguarding fears raised over suspension of Ofsted inspections

The suspension of Ofsted inspections of children's centres was announced last year by childcare minister Sam Gyimah.

After revealing in July that the government would hold a consultation on the future of children's centres, in September he said he was “on a short-term basis”, suspending the requirement for Ofsted to undertake inspections, pending the outcome of the consultation, which was due to launch in the autumn.

In January CYP Now revealed that the consultation had been delayed and the Department for Education (DfE) is still yet to announce when it will take place. It has now been more than five months since the last Ofsted inspection of a children's centre.

Figures in the children and young people sector have raised concerns about the current lack of oversight, suggesting that safeguarding could be an issue.

Jan Cosgrove, national secretary of Fairplay for Children, said: "Children's centres are a venue where children are in contact with adults.

"You would expect the adults to be professional and maintain high standards just as in any other context where professional staff are working with children, but child protection incidents can happen. Why are children's centres no longer considered important in terms of safeguarding?

"I can't see people thinking that if another area came under review such as schools, youth clubs or nurseries, it would be appropriate to stop inspections.

"There is a lack of focus at the DfE about their responsibilities on this."

David N Jones, chair of the Association of Local Safeguarding Children Board Chairs, said his organisation is increasingly concerned by the significant reduction in children's centre provision across England. He added that the suspension of Ofsted inspections is also a worry.