Ofsted and CQC local area SEND inspection
There have been a number of national consultations in recent months from the Department for Education (DfE), CQC and Ofsted on the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper and the new SEND inspections">Local Area SEND Inspection Framework.
It is reasonable to speculate that Gloucestershire’s Local Area SEND Inspection will be within the next 12 months. Such an inspection will be under the new inspection framework, which rightly places the views and experiences of children and young people and families at the forefront of the inspection.
The emphasis of the new framework is very much on impact, put plainly, what difference are we making to children, young people and families to make their lives better in a timely way.
Governance of Gloucestershire’s Local Area SEND Partnership is through our new SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership (SILAP) Board. The purpose of the Board is to oversee and guide the delivery and improvement of Inclusion, SEND and Alternative Provision services across Gloucestershire.
To do this the Board will ensure:
1.that local decision-making regarding changes and developments to the local system is focussed on impact, asking the questions:
- What difference is this making for children and young people and their families?
- How do we know?
- How will this provide better value for money or support a more sustainable local system?
2. the effective implementation of the Inclusion and SEND strategies 2022-2025.
3. ensure that local delivery plans align with developing national policy, including the 2022 SEND Green Paper and the Area Inspection Framework.
There is broad representation on this Board from across education services within the local authority, early years, schools and colleges; health services and commissioning; social care – children and adults; Youth Support Services; Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum and SENDIASS.
Guidance about how you and your family can prepare for a SEND Inspection might help with giving you further information about the process. This includes details about what to expect, what happens next and what you and your family should be aware of, once a SEND Inspection is planned.
Our previous local area inspection
A Joint Ofsted and CQC local area SEND Inspection was carried out in Gloucestershire in June 2016, to judge the effectiveness of the local area in implementing the special educational needs and disability reforms as set out in the Children and Families Act 2014.
The attached letter outlines the findings from that inspection.
*REVIEWED SEPTEMBER 2023*