Ofsted
Intervention ends at Reading
Government intervention in Reading Council’s children’s services has come to an end after five years.
Medway’s children’s services commissioner is stood down
Medway Council will continue to run its own children’s services after the independent commissioner is stood down due to good progress on improvement.
Warwickshire bid to bring its children back into the fold
A Warwickshire CC-operated children’s residential care home is in the pipeline. It will bring those currently housed miles away from their homes back within their area, delivering more positive outcomes for everyone, writes Cllr Jeff Morgan.
West Sussex to keep control of children’s services for at least a year
West Sussex CC will keep control of its children’s services for at least another year following improvements, the Department for Education (DfE) has said.
Ofsted warns of unseen child abuse
Opportunities to protect children at risk of harm are being missed due to the pandemic, Ofsted has warned.
Helping councils defuse the early years ticking time bomb
Nesta has launched a new programme of Early Years Innovation Partnership, and is seeking councils to radically reimagine the way support is given, says Tom Symons.
Ofsted warns of COVID impact on SEND support
The pandemic has ‘seriously affected’ support for special educational needs an disabilities (SEND), according to Ofsted.
Spike in child abuse
Ofsted’s chief inspector has warned of an increase in the number of child injuries and deaths uncovered by local authorities since the onset of the pandemic.
Criticised council makes SEND investment
Bristol City Council has pledged to spend £29m on capital works to boost services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
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.
EXCLUSIVE: Deficit puts councils on cliff edge
Many councils could be pushed over the ‘financial cliff edge’ if the £500m of high-needs deficit faced by the sector is not written off, the Government has been warned.
Ofsted 'mindful' of councils' coronavirus pressures
The watchdog has promised to be ‘extremely mindful’ of pressures faced by local authorities as it looks at resuming operations post-lockdown.
MPs tell department to 'get a grip' on SEND
The Department for Education (DfE) does not have a grip on mounting pressure in the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system, a watchdog has found.
'No quick fixes' after watchdog criticism
Bristol City Council admitted there were ‘no quick fixes’ as it published a written statement of action in the wake of watchdog criticism.
Our Ofsted journey to outstanding
Cllr Shaun Davies explains how Telford & Wrekin Council’s Ofsted rating for children’s services leaped from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding’ due to an innovative approach to investment and a focus on workforce and good practice.
Devon CC’s children’s services criticised for ‘serious failures’
Ofsted has found ‘serious failures’ in services for young people in Devon.
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.
Inspectors loosen their policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have put mandatory routine inspections on hold in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yorkshire council criticises Ofsted rating based on ‘short inspection visit’
A local authority in Yorkshire has said it is ‘disappointed’ by an Ofsted rating of its children’s social care services.
