Ofsted | Information about children and families services

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Inspection of children's homes for inspections from 1 April 2012

This document sets out the framework and guidance for the inspection of children’s homes from April 2012.
Framework for the inspection of local authority arrangements for the protection of children

This document outlines the framework for the inspection of local authority arrangements to protect children, including the effectiveness of early identification and help for children, young people, their families and carers.
Inspection of adoption agencies - how children and young people can get involved

This short film is about the inspection of adoption agencies, and how children and young people who are adopted or waiting to be adopted can play a part.

Inspection of fostering services - how children and young people can get involved

This short film is about the inspection of fostering services, and how children and young people who are fostered can play a part.
Inspections of safeguarding and looked after children services: framework for inspection and guidance for local authorities and partners

This document sets out the framework and guidance for the inspections of safeguarding and looked after children.
Learning independence

Views of care leavers, students in residential further education and boarders in boarding schools on moving on to independent adult life.

Single equality scheme 2010-13

Ofsted has published its single equality scheme, with the 2010 action plan. The Equality Action Plan 2011-12 was added in August 2011. Our scheme, including the priorities and action plan, has been developed with the involvement and engagement of children and
Ofsted Audit Committee minutes

Here you will find the minutes from recent Ofsted audit committee meetings.
Schedule for the release of official statistics

This document announces the planned schedule for the release of official statistics by Ofsted.

Official statistics: Children's centres inspections and outcomes

This page has statistics on the inspection of children’s centres in England.
Official statistics: Children's social care inspections and outcomes

This page has statistics on the inspection of children’s social care providers in England.
Official statistics: Children's social care providers and places

Ofsted has a database of registered children’s social care providers and residential accomodation for children in boarding schools and further education colleges in England.

Ofsted’s website: continuing to improve

24 Apr 2012

The results of our website survey during January 2012 have helped us to make further improvements to the site since it was re-launched in July 2011.
Ofsted and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons launch new approach to the inspection of secure training centres

03 Apr 2012

Today Ofsted and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) have published a consultation document on a new joint framework for the inspection of STCs.
Ofsted seeking views on quality of care

02 Apr 2012

Between 1 April and 31 May 2012 we are using online questionnaires to seek views on the quality of care in children's homes, adoption agencies and fostering services.

Court delays keep children waiting for adoption

02 Apr 2012

A report published today by Ofsted found that the most significant cause of delay for children needing adoption is the length of time it takes for cases to be completed in court. The average time taken to complete care proceedings in the cases inspectors examined was almost 14 months.
Better support for the front line

19 Mar 2012

To mark World Social Work Day on 20 March we highlight an Ofsted survey report that explores the link between the quality of support that social workers receive and the difference they are able to make to improve children’s lives.
50% say they have to leave care too early

12 Mar 2012

The After care report published by the Children’s Rights Director Roger Morgan looked at views from 308 care leavers both who had recently left care and those still in care but preparing to leave.

To be an outstanding authority delays in adoption must be tackled

27 Feb 2012

Only local authorities that ensure all children identified for adoption are placed within 12 months will be able to achieve an ‘outstanding’ judgement from Ofsted under new adoption inspection arrangements published today.
Half of children given hardly any notice before being moved

24 Feb 2012

Children’s Rights Director Roger Morgan publishes the annual Children’s care monitor today which gives nearly 2,000 children’s views through an online survey. This year, the monitor survey included a new focus on children’s experiences of placement change in care.
Ofsted's Deputy Chief Inspector: live chat for Community Care on children's services inspections

20 Feb 2012

Ofsted’s Deputy Chief Inspector John Goldup will be taking part in a live chat for Community Care on children's services inspection on Wednesday 22 February between 7pm and 8pm

Ofsted's Deputy Chief Inspector, John Goldup delivers the first Annual Social Care Lecture

03 Feb 2012

Ofsted’s Deputy Chief Inspector, John Goldup delivers the first Annual Social Care Lecture, ‘Bureaucratic burden or force for improvement: can inspection square the circle?'.
Ofsted's Deputy Chief Inspector, John Goldup gives the first Annual Social Care lecture - includes a best practice report for social workers in child protection

01 Feb 2012

Ofsted’s Deputy Chief Inspector, John Goldup is to deliver Ofsted’s first Annual Social Care Lecture at the London School of Economics today. He will explore the tensions between inspection in social care as a form of bureaucratic burden and inspection as a force for improvement.
Seeing through a child's eyes: Ofsted announces no notice, unannounced inspections for child protection

31 Jan 2012

Focusing on the child’s journey and experience and looking at what makes the most difference in improving children’s lives, Ofsted is to introduce no notice inspection for child protection services. The new child protection framework, published today, will come into effect in May.