Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have today launched
a consultation on proposals for a new joint framework for
inspecting provision for children and young people with special
educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) within a local area.
The new inspections will be introduced in early 2023.
Read the draft SEND inspection
framework and have your say on our proposed changes or visit
the children and young
people’s version of the consultation.
The new framework will focus on the experiences and outcomes of
children and young people with SEND.
The proposals broaden the focus of inspection to look not only at
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.
The new framework will build on and strengthen accountability for
local areas by:
- introducing an ongoing cycle of inspections and 3 distinct
inspection outcomes.
- carrying out engagement meetings in all areas.
- strengthening Ofsted’s response where there are concerns
through monitoring inspections and/or early re-inspections.
- promoting continuous improvement for all by requesting
visible action plans following full inspections
To further support these aims, 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.
Inspections will also focus on children in alternative provision,
the majority of whom have SEND, by evaluating how local
authorities commission, use and oversee it.
And there will be 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, so that
inspectors understand what it is like to be a child or young
person with SEND in any local area in England.
The consultation, which runs from today to September 11, is part
of a range of engagement activities Ofsted and CQC will be doing
with the sector, children and young people, parents, and carers.
Her Majesty’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."
