GOV.UK
Growing up neglected
The media never shies away from a story about teenagers ‘up to no good’. And while it’s become a bit of a cliché to say that teens and older children are ‘misunderstood’, for some, a lack of understanding from the …
inspection framework
Joint Targeted Area Inspections: Supporting better multi-agency working?
The Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) programme began over two years ago. In my view, this has been, and continues to be, a hugely valuable piece of work. For those who are unfamiliar with JTAIs, Ofsted, working alongside the police, …
How do we achieve outstanding help and protection?
One of the best parts of my job is when we get to acknowledge and celebrate good social care practice. And no more so than when we give a judgement of outstanding to highlight the excellent work leaders and social …
Yvette Stanley: My focus as National Director for Social Care
I’m delighted to have this opportunity to communicate with you in my new role as Ofsted’s National Director for Social Care. With week 1 under my belt, I’d like to talk a bit about what matters most to me and …
Social care - an improving picture
Too often news about the state of children’s social care makes for worrying reading. A sector beset by many challenges, it usually only makes the news when things go wrong. At Ofsted, we have been clear about what needs to …
A new inspection system
Today [29 November 2017] saw the publication of the Inspection of Local Authorities (ILACS) framework. This is the culmination of almost two years of hard work by my social care colleagues in Ofsted, to whom I am greatly indebted. What …
Care leavers – Front and centre in new inspections
It’s National Care Leavers week (25 October – 03 November), a great campaign that quite rightly focuses the attention of professionals and politicians on this important group of young people. It’s timely then that we talk about what matters most …
Process still matters in social work – but not as much as outcomes
Back in 2010 Professor Eileen Munro said that social workers have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. When she started her government review of child protection, Eileen suggested that social workers should spend less time in front …
We need to talk about domestic abuse
Let's talk some numbers. Domestic abuse claims the lives of 2 women a week. There are an estimated 6.5 million adults who have suffered domestic abuse. And police in England recorded 421,000 domestic abuse crimes last year. What that means …
More dialogue and less focus on plans – local authority children’s services inspections from 2018
Most of us who work in children’s services recognise that there have to be national standards for children in care. From January 2018 our approach will be carefully focused to draw out the best, and help people to see where …