Ofsted and CQC launch consultation on SEND inspections
Fiona Simpson
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have launched a consultation on a new joint framework for inspecting provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The new framework is aimed at broadening inspections to examine whether local area partnerships are identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND, but also to assess the impact on their lives and outcomes, according to the inspectorates.
The new framework will focus on the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND, including those in alternative provision (AP).
Local authorities will be evaluated on how they commission, use and oversee such settings, according to the consultation document.
Other key areas included in the new framework, which comes following the publication of the government’s SEND and AP green paper, are:
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Introducing an ongoing cycle of inspections and three distinct inspection outcomes.
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Carrying out engagement meetings in all areas.
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Strengthening Ofsted’s response where there are concerns through monitoring inspections and/or early re-inspections.
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Promoting continuous improvement for all by requesting visible action plans following full inspections.
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A greater push to gather evidence from children and young people with SEND and their families directly, as well as from area leaders, practitioners, and settings.
Under the new framework, inspection teams will include inspectors from education, health and care “so that there can be a deeper understanding of how effective joint working is in a specific area”, the document adds.
Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman, said: “The past two years have been challenging for all of us, but the pandemic was particularly hard for the most vulnerable in society.
“In that time Ofsted has continued to engage closely with the SEND sector, including bodies representing children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers. That has allowed us to develop and refine the proposals for a new framework.
“I welcome responses from the sector whether that be parents, carers or children and young people themselves to help us shape our plans further. Working together, we can ensure that every child gets the best start in life, whatever their background or needs.”
The consultation, will run until September 11, as part of a range of engagement activities Ofsted and CQC are carrying out across the sector as well as with children and young people, parents, and carers, according to the inspectorates.
