Ofsted
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.
Council taking too long to tackle 'critical weaknesses'
Gloucestershire CC is taking ‘too long to address critical weaknesses’ identified by inspectors two years ago, an Ofsted report has found.
Children's boss leaves after damning Ofsted
Middlesbrough Council's children’s services boss has stepped down following a damning report exposing serious and widespread failures across the board.
Council ‘apologises unreservedly’ for children’s service failings
Luton BC has been rated inadequate by Ofsted following an inspection of its children’s social care services.
The sound of silence
Local agencies are often ‘woefully ill-equipped’ to stop child sexual abuse in the family environment, says a new joint report from four inspectorates including Ofsted. Why is multi-agency performance still so poor – and what needs to happen next? Chris Mahony reports.
Tackling familial sexual abuse needs a sustained approach
Dealing with child sexual abuse in the family environment calls for informed, committed and resourced leadership and delivery over time, says Mark Rogers.
Council announces £4.4m for ‘significantly declined’ children’s services
Hull City Council has announced a series of measures to improve children’s services after Ofsted concluded the experiences of children in care had ‘significantly declined'.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils sent back to drawing board on SEND
Councils have been sent back to the drawing board after a quango ripped apart their plans to recover massive special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits.
Ofsted highlights 'serious and widespread failures' at council
Children in Middlesbrough are being left at risk for too long because of failures in practice and leadership, Ofsted has warned.
‘There can be and will be no complacency’
Joanne Roney says that while addressing past failures is ‘very necessary’, we must not lose sight of ‘how radically our approach to tackling child sexual exploitation has been strengthened’ since Operation Augusta.
Ofsted chief in 'blind spots' warning
Ofsted’s chief has warned of ‘blind spots’ in the children’s services inspection system that could mean youngsters are ‘potentially coming to significant harm’.
Medway given six months to turn around children's services
Medway Council could lose control of its children’s services unless it improves standards within the next six months.
