Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission present a new draft framework for inspecting provision for children and young people with SEND.

On Monday 13th June 2022, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission launched a consultation on proposals for a new joint framework for inspecting provision for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) within a local area. These new inspections will be introduced in early 2023.

The new frameworks will focus on the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND.

The proposals broaden the focus of inspection to look at whether local area partnerships are identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND and 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 three 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 complete inspections.

To further support these aims, inspection teams will include inspectors from education, health and care so there can be a deeper understanding of how effective joint working is in a specific area.

Additionally, inspections will focus on children in alternative provision, most of whom have SEND, by evaluating how local authorities commission, use and oversee it. There will be a more significant 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 11th September, is part of a range of engagement activities Ofsted and CQC will be doing with the sector, children and young people, parents and carers.

Amanda Spielman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, 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.”