Ofsted is to introduce unannounced inspections for child protection services from May 2012, alongside a raft of measures which the government watchdog claims will make the inspection process more effective and child-centred.
Inspections will be carried out over a two-week period and there will be greater emphasis on inspectors talking directly to children and their families about their experiences. There will also be more discussion with front-line social workers and managers and inspectors will shadow social workers and observe multi-agency working.
The number of cases being examined in each inspection will be doubled, while the number of key areas inspectors will judge services on has been cut dramatically, from nine to three. Inspections will now focus on “the effectiveness of the help and protection provided to children, young people, families and carers”, the quality of practice, and leadership and governance.
Ofsted Deputy Chief Inspector, John Goldup said that “This new framework puts the child’s experience at the heart of inspection. We want to ensure that inspectors are able to judge the impact that professionals working in child protection are making to help children and protect them from harm.”
