Ofsted
Ofsted reform plans come under fire
Proposals to intensify the inspection regime for schools have been attacked by teaching unions.
St Helens still failing on children's services, says Ofsted
Cultural barriers and significant change at the corporate level have slowed the response of St Helens MBC to serious failures in its children’s services, according to a follow-up Ofsted report published this week.
Ofsted continues to raise concerns over Torbay's children's services
Torbay Council has been criticised for being ‘too slow’ in turning around its inadequate children’s services.
MPs call for end to 'one-off' SEND inspections
Joint ‘one-off’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted inspections of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services should not continue, MPs have concluded.
Spielman in fresh illegal schools warning
Ofsted’s chief inspector has made a fresh call for the Department for Education (DfE) to crack down on unregistered or illegal schools.
Louise Goldsmith quits as leader of West Sussex
She said her nine-year term in office had been ‘a huge honour, privilege, responsibility and commitment’.
Council has more to do to improve children's services
Ofsted has said there is still more for Gloucestershire CC to do to improve its children’s services.
West Sussex chief suspended
West Sussex CC chief executive Nathan Elvery has been suspended, following a problems at the council’s children’s services department.
Northants commissioner quits
The commissioner appointed to oversee children’s services at Northamptonshire CC has resigned.
Our Ofsted journey: from inadequate to good in two years
Turning round children’s services in Tower Hamlets in two years was a ‘mighty struggle,’ says Will Tuckley. Here he outlines how the council successfully addressed intervention.
Radical change call amid lack of vision
The think-tank NLGN has called for a radical change in approach to children’s services to end ‘decades of weak national vision’.
Commissioner appointed to oversee council’s inadequate children’s services
The Government has appointed a commissioner to improve Medway Council’s children’s services after Ofsted rated them inadequate.
New directors add to improvement pace
Croydon LBC’s new executive director and director of early help and children’s social care have quickly made improvements to the council’s inadequate children’s services, Ofsted has said.
Children's care in Northamptonshire remains inadequate
Children’s social care in Northamptonshire has failed to improve on its inadequate Ofsted rating following a visit by inspectors.
Improvements for Worcestershire children's services
Worcestershire CC’s children’s services have improved since they were rated inadequate three years ago, with families better cared for now, Ofsted has said.
Government: Brum no longer requires children's commissioner
Birmingham City Council no longer requires a Government-appointed commissioner to run its children’s services, the Department for Education (DfE) had announced.
Children's services progress 'slow and uneven'
Ofsted has described the progress of Reading BC to improve its children’s services as ‘slow, uneven and not always sustained’.
ADCS conference: More councils improve Ofsted ratings after regime change
A greater number of councils are receiving better Ofsted ratings for their children’s services after the inspectorate introduced a ‘more proportionate’ regime.
Put communities in charge of public service inspection
Adam Lent considers the merits of ‘replacing inspectors swooping in and out every few years’ with a community-led approach that focuses on ongoing improvement, not just one-off inspection.
High needs kids: which councils are best?
The system for children with special educational needs is not working. Leo Jones argues that no-one seems to have asked what outcomes were achieved or what value the money has brought – until now