Chief executives body SOLACE has rejected as ‘inadequate' proposals by regulator Ofsted to set up a single inspection framework covering local authority child protection and services.

Today marks the deadline for responses to the consultation over plans to unify separate examinations for child protection and services for children looked after – covering services provided for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and those who are about to leave care or have already done so.

SOLACE and the Local Government Association have submitted a joint response.

When the consultation was launched on 14 June, HMCI Sir Michael Wilshaw said the intention behind the changes to inspection was ‘to the heart of how well children are helped, protected and looked after, and the difference this makes to their lives.

He added this new single inspection would permit Ofsted to inspect the whole system that helps, protects and looks after children. ‘I want those same children to have good lives when they leave the care of the state,' Sir Michael added.

But Mark Rogers, chief executive for Solihull MBC and SOLACE lead on children's services today said:  ‘Ofsted's proposed single inspection framework is inadequate and requires improvement.'

He called for further consultation after the current pilots and hit out at the contradiction in the outcomes of Ofsted inspections of child protections services.

‘Around a quarter of councils are being judged ‘inadequate' in these inspections, despite clear international evidence that the UK has one of the best performing systems for child protection in the world.

‘This clearly indicates that Ofsted is either measuring the wrong things or failing to understand the sector,' Mr Rogers added.

He accused Ofsted or over-reliance on box-ticking inspections, a process driven approach which punishes innovation at the expense of high quality care and urged the regulator to adopt a ‘consumer champion' role focusing on outcomes for children and their families.