Ofsted has just published details of new inspection arrangements for children’s services, which will start next year. It says “The new approach is more proportionate, risk-based and flexible than before, allowing Ofsted to prioritise inspection where it is most needed.” It comprises:
- short inspections – local authorities previously judged to be good or better will receive a 1 week ‘short’ inspection every 3 years
- standard inspections – those judged ‘requires improvement to be good’ will receive a 2 week ‘standard’ inspection every 3 years
- monitoring – local authorities judged to be inadequate will receive quarterly monitoring visits, followed by an inspection under the single inspection framework (SIF)
- focused visits – local authorities that require improvement and those that are good or outstanding will receive at least one focused visit between their short or standard inspection.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-childrens-services-inspections-announced