Inspections
Keeping children in sight
Last week allegations of ill-treatment at a children’s home in Cardiff were in the spotlight. Dan Peters talks to sector experts about whether the system of inspection is failing.
Boarding home closures prompt council response
Councils have been called on to help accommodate children with special educational needs after two boarding homes had their registrations suspended following critical inspections.
Liverpool to undergo best value inspection
Liverpool City Council will undergo an inspection of whether it is complying with its best value duty after the arrest of its mayor.
Redesign services for a COVID era, says CQC chief
The chief executive of the Care Quality Commission has called for services to be redesigned for a ‘COVID era’ that could last for many years.
Sorry is the hardest word
For the sake of the organisation sometimes you just have to swallow your pride, accept the criticism, and say and do what is expected, according to Blair McPherson.
Two firms must improve their audits, says FRC
Two firms have been told their audit work requires ‘significant improvement’, a review of local audit by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has concluded.
Ofsted to visit councils and children’s social care providers
Ofsted will resume its visits to local authorities and children's social care providers from September, but these will result in a set of findings rather than a graded judgement.
Restored visits by Ofsted are ‘not about judging’
Rather than creating something new, Ofsted’s visits from September to schools and social care and early years providers represent an adjustment to get the assurance needed about the decisions being made for children, says Yvette Stanley.
Council launches judicial review over local plan
Sevenoaks DC has begun judicial review proceedings after the Government’s planning inspector refused to endorse its new local plan.
The sector has continued to benefit from Best Value
Before COVID-19, Brexit, austerity and the recession came Best Value inspection - and the more objective chiefs now speak fondly of those days, and the net benefit of the regime, says Abdool Kara.
Jenrick urges councils not to delay on coronavirus spending
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick this week urged council leaders not to put off decisions because of money in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Council taking too long to tackle 'critical weaknesses'
Gloucestershire CC is taking ‘too long to address critical weaknesses’ identified by inspectors two years ago, an Ofsted report has found.
SEND system 'not working as well as it should' - top civil servant
The reformed system for supporting children with special and educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is ‘not working as well as it should,’ senior civil servants have admitted.
Children's boss leaves after damning Ofsted
Middlesbrough Council's children’s services boss has stepped down following a damning report exposing serious and widespread failures across the board.
Tackling familial sexual abuse needs a sustained approach
Dealing with child sexual abuse in the family environment calls for informed, committed and resourced leadership and delivery over time, says Mark Rogers.
Ofsted highlights 'serious and widespread failures' at council
Children in Middlesbrough are being left at risk for too long because of failures in practice and leadership, Ofsted has warned.
Ofsted chief in 'blind spots' warning
Ofsted’s chief has warned of ‘blind spots’ in the children’s services inspection system that could mean youngsters are ‘potentially coming to significant harm’.
It’s time to break down that fourth wall
Michael Bracey says it is ‘very welcome to see an inspectorate being really clear about the impact low funding levels almost inevitably will have on services and their capacity to improve as well as meet rising levels of demand’.
Council expresses 'serious concerns' after planning hearings halted
The first local plan to be assessed under a new framework has stalled after the Planning Inspectorate unexpectedly cancelled the next round of hearings.
Council company improves services
A Cheshire West & Chester Council company has continued to improve services, with all seven areas inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) now rated good.
