New Area SEND Inspection Framework published

Following consultation the new Area SEND Inspection Framework and Handbook have been published by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. The new framework and handbook come into use from 2023 and will be used to inform judgements on the efficacy of local areas’ arrangements for children and young people with SEND. The new framework aims to strengthen accountability by:

• Introducing an ongoing cycle of inspections with three inspection outcomes
• Annual "engagement meetings" in all areas
• Boosting the response where Ofsted has concerns via monitoring inspections and/or early re-inspections
• More transparency and improving services by asking local areas to update and publish "visible strategic SEND plans" within 30 working days after full inspections
• All strategic plans to be fully accessible to children and young people with SEND as well as parents and carers
• A focus on how alternative provision is commissioned and overseen
• An updated to the inspection team to be more multidisciplinary, involving health, education and social care inspectors. 

Kathryn Rudd, Ofsted’s Senior HMI for SEND said: 
“The system for children with special educational needs and disabilities has struggled with persistent and long-standing weaknesses for too long. Poor quality education, health and care plans, poor co-production and poor outcomes for pupils with SEND are rife. To compound these issues even further, the pandemic has had a particularly detrimental impact on the education and support for children and young people with SEND. The need for improvement across the board is clear.

Our new area SEND inspection framework follows a period of consultation alongside the Care Quality Commission (CQC). I hope this will act as a catalyst for much-needed improvement, while helping local areas prepare for future reform. Our inspections will focus on the things that matter most - improving the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND. The new framework will strengthen accountability and clarify where responsibility for improvement lies.”