Analysis: Policy - Youth Services - The end of separateinspections

Earlier this year, everybody working with children and young people across statutory and voluntary services in Rochdale was invited to bring in evidence to show how they were meeting any of the five outcomes outlined in Every Child Matters.

The drop-in event was part of a borough-wide data-gathering process overseen by a team of representatives from departments including the youth service, health and social services.

This self-assessment process is the foundation of the new Joint Area Review, which Rochdale underwent in June this year as one of four pilot authorities. The next step was a visit from a joint inspection team, which spent a week in Rochdale. A discussion followed, in which the inspectors shared emerging ideas about the effectiveness of services for children and young people with the people in charge.