The role and performance of Ofsted

Memorandum submitted by Lancashire County Councillor John Shedwick,  Chair of the county council's Scrutiny Committee

The following link  http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/displayAgendas.asp?meetid=8200  will take you to a report that was considered by the above Committee at its meeting today, 8th October on the issue of  Private Children's Homes.  The role of Ofsted is key here as they are the inspecting, monitoring and regulatory body for these establishments, of which there are approximately 72 in Lancashire.   We believe that our report contains evidence that should be useful to your enquiry as described in the terms of reference that you published.   

In debate, councillors raised a number of concerns about: the role and performance of Ofsted; the current national policies, practices and limitations of the current inspection regime in seeking to drive up standards of care and outcomes for looked after children placed across local authority boundaries.  Councillors agreed therefore to undertake a more detailed review of this issue in the Lancashire context.  Given the national dimension to this issue, councillors would like to submit their findings – in addition to the above report – to the Education Committee to use as evidence in its own work (the review will get underway straight away).  Our members would be happy to be of any further assistance that the Education Committee sees fit for their own enquiries into Ofsted.  In addition, our members would be most grateful for any assistance that the Education may be able to offer the county council in their seeking appropriate evidence to draw fully informed conclusions for Lancashire, in particular perhaps use of the formal powers that the Committee has to hold Ofsted to account     

The draft terms of reference for Lancashire County Council's Scrutiny Committee review are:

· Assess whether current arrangements to support cross-boundary Looked After Children in Lancs or from Lancs are effective  and value for money in achieving standards of care as set out in Care Matters and Every Child Matters

· Establish what vulnerabilities there may be in the current arrangements, in particular with regard:

- Safeguarding

- Education

- Access to health services

- Community safety

· Identify whether these possible vulnerabilities increase any risks that the county council and other local service providers fail to fulfil their statutory duties in an efficient and value for money way

October 2010