Local services
This section describes Ofsted’s inspection of children's services.
There is an introduction to local services inspections below or use the navigation on the left to enter the main sub-sections.
Children’s services inspections
A major change in how local public services, including children’s services, came into effect in April 2009. At its core is the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). CAA replaces the annual comprehensive performance assessment of councils by the Audit Commission, as well as the annual performance assessments (APA) and joint area reviews (JAR) previously carried out by Ofsted. Ofsted’s inspection and regulation will now contribute to the wider assessment of local authorities for local people under CAA.
The Audit Commission has overall responsibility for the assessment framework. Ofsted is a key contributor to the process, as CAA will assess outcomes for children, young people and adult learners across an area.
Children’s services ratings
In December 2009 we published the outcomes of the new annual children’s services ratings, which look at performance in 152 local authorities in England for 2009.
The annual children’s services rating provides an overview of each council’s performance in relation to children’s services for which they have strategic or operational responsibilities (either alone or in partnership with other agencies) and the difference they are making to children’s lives.
The annual children’s services rating is a wide-ranging and robust assessment of the outcomes for children and young people in every local authority area which is strongly based on the evidence from inspections.
Partner inspectorates and commissions
We work with the following partner inspectorates and commissions to develop and implement children’s services inspections: