In an interview with CYP Now, shadow children's minister Tim Loughton said Ofsted should revert to a system similar to that operated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) when it inspected children's social care. This would require Ofsted to provide improvement support and advice to local children's services alongside inspections.
Loughton said: "CSCI were seen to be a critical friend. They didn't just get in, tick all the boxes, write a critical report and then bugger off."
Kim Bromley-Derry, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said: "Directors would certainly welcome more support to drive improvement, whether from Ofsted or from a network of peers. There is a need to match rigorous challenge with increased support for putting right the weaknesses identified in individual authorities."
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