Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have today published
guidance for the first series of thematic visits to be carried
out under the new area special educational needs and/or
disabilities (SEND) inspection arrangements. Beginning in
February, the visits will take place across the spring and summer
terms, with the findings to be shared in a national report
published in autumn 2023.
Each academic year, the series of in-depth reviews will explore
particular aspects of the SEND system. The first set of visits
will focus on alternative provision (AP), given the large number
of children and young people with additional needs in these types
of provision.
The visits will not result in judgements about local areas.
Instead, the overarching report will highlight examples of good
practice and identify any systemic concerns.
Inspectors from Ofsted and CQC will explore how AP arrangements
are currently working, including how partners work together to
commission and oversee AP. These visits will enable the
inspectorates to better understand and report on the increasingly
varied reasons why AP is used. By sharing examples of good
practice, Ofsted and CQC aim to highlight the positive role that
AP can play in the education system.
All types of AP may be examined during the visits, which will
consider how AP is being used and if it is meeting children’s
needs. Evidence will be gathered from a range of stakeholders,
including young people and their families, to understand the
experiences and outcomes of those at the centre of the AP system.
Lee Owston, Ofsted’s National Director for
Education:
“The current SEND system is not working for too many young people
and their families, and we want to play our part in driving
forward much-needed improvement.
“We know that the majority of children and young people in
alternative provision have some form of SEND. But all too often
alternative provision is being used for purposes that it was not
originally intended to serve. These visits will help us to better
understand how alternative provision is working for those who
rely on it most, and support the sector in meeting growing
demand. They will also highlight any areas that need to be
improved.
“We hope that these thematic reviews will provide valuable
insights as the government develops its plans for reform of
alternative provision. They will also help support partners
across education, health and social care to work together in
delivering important improvements for children and their
families”.
Dr Sean O’Kelly, Chief Inspector of Hospitals and interim
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services at the Care Quality
Commission:
“All good services should start from an understanding of how to
provide the best care for the people that use them. With a
significant number of young people with SEND in alternative
provision, this work with Ofsted is a critical opportunity to ask
how local agencies are working together to recognise and meet the
health and educational needs of children and young people in
alternative provision.”
“Visiting these services with Ofsted – working together as we
expect other agencies to do – will help to identify and share
best practice, as well as areas for improvement.”
Notes
- Findings from the national report will be shared in autumn
2023. The findings will not be attributed to local areas unless
they have consented to being identified.
