Stakeholder Advisory Forum 8 July 2013 Kingsway Hall Hotel, 66 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5BX

Content  Recent history  Framework and judgements  Pilot inspections  Consultation proposals  Next steps  Leadership, management, governance and the LSCB

Recent past  Completed the safeguarding and looked after children inspections (SLACs) in July 2013 (with CQC)  Previously undertaken two years of unannounced inspections of LA contact, referral and assessment during the SLAC period  Separate inspections of LA fostering services and LA adoption agencies  June 2012 – launched Ofsted only Child Protection inspections

Very recent past  Plans were in place for:  Children looked after and care leavers inspection April 2013  Multi-agency (multi-inspectorate) inspection of Child protection June 2013  Spring 2013 HMCI announced MACP not yet ready for implementation – work ongoing  New single (Ofsted only) inspection of LA services for children in need of protection, children looked after and care leavers Autumn 2013  Interim period – continued Ofsted CP inspections and small number of LAC inspections (under SLAC framework)

Scope: this inspection will replace –Child protection inspections –Looked after children inspections –Local authority adoption and fostering inspections 3 key judgements –Helping and protecting children –Children looked after and Achieving Permanence –Leadership, Management and Governance 2 graded judgements as part of CLA –Adoption –Care leavers A review of the LSCB with a judgement on effectiveness – subject to regulations The new framework – overview

‘Good’ is the new lens O – exceeding good, sustaining improvement, an exceptional difference RI – not enough of good characteristics IA – widespread OR serious concern – children at risk or being harmed 4 point judgement scale –Inadequate –Requires improvement –Good –Outstanding Sets out Ofsted’s role in improvement Overview (2)

Review of the LSCB  s136 EIA 2006 only gives powers to inspect LA’s role within the LSCB  s15(a) CA 2004 gives HMCI powers for a “Review of LSCBs' performance of functions” (currently not enacted)  To be enacted by mid October 2013  From 5 July DfE targeted consultation on regulations to underpin s15(a)  Ofsted will briefly consult on exercising the power to review of LSCBs' performance of functions prior to November publication and commencement

Overall inadequacy – when? Inadequacy in any key judgement limits overall effectiveness to inadequate It is possible to have good ‘leadership’ in inadequate places The graded judgements influence but do not ‘limit alone’ Widespread OR serious concerns – children at risk of or being harmed Protection AND/OR CARE Therefore leadership likely to be inadequate also

‘Good’ leadership or leadership that ‘requires improvement’ - possible in an inadequate place? Leadership, management and governance is likely to be inadequate, if either of the two main judgements is inadequate AND leaders have not been able to demonstrate sufficient understanding of the failure. They have been ineffective in prioritising, challenging and making improvements.

universal unannounced inspection of the services for looked after children, care leavers and those in need of protection – 3 year cycle inspections over a four-week period – including a week where the local authority audits the case files sample of 30 cases to be tracked tracking the experiences of individual children and young people through cases - includes observing practice - focus on journeys a shorter bulleted report written for children and adults areas for immediate priority, areas for development and strengths l key proposals and consultation

help and protection offered from the time it is first needed to the time they receive that help focus on the practice in identifying, responding, helping and protecting children and young people For looked after children, quality and rational for placements, why out of area, concern about missing and TRIANGULATION WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN CHILDREN’S HOMES the effectiveness of frontline and management practice is of central significance as is the difference it makes to children and young people National and local data to be given to lead inspector

 28 responses as at 5 July 2013  “A genuine attempt to improve practice in particular within front line services”  Nil response from CYP or parent/carer; mix of responses from health professionals, LSCB chair, social care practitioner and voluntary sector Descriptions of good: 28.5 strongly agree, 61.5 agree Positive re early help and the emphasis on good, but too many criteria?; can is deliver consistency?; does it describe only adequate?; is there sufficient focus on children’s voice?; why isn’t care leavers a key judgement?; clarity re s20? LSCB judgement: 34.5 strongly agree, 38.5 agree How will the poor performance of other agencies within the LSCB might be addressed?; strengthen learning culture/systems and challenge to LA and other partners? key headlines from the consultation

Three key judgements limiting overall effectiveness: 23% strongly agree, 61.5 agree. “Inadequate in any assessment is not acceptable when working with CYP” Important not to demoralise staff; how to address failing care leavers?; important to recognise accurate self assessment and appropriate planning; must have inspectors who have skill, knowledge and insight key headlines from the consultation

Consultation and pilots Publication in September Re-publication once LSCB powers enacted Inspections start in early November Next steps