25 February: PCF WEBINAR Local area SEND inspections and re-visits – An Update

Purpose of the webinar To provide information to Parent Carer Forums on: the role of the PCF in an inspection and revisit what happens where a WSoA is required introduction of revisits and responding to findings opportunity to ask questions

Introduction A new local area inspection framework jointly carried out by Ofsted and CQC Purpose of the inspection is to support local areas to improve their SEND services and provide reassurance to families that service leaders will be held to account DfE and NHSE work together to follow up on the inspection findings A driver for improvement across the work of education, health and care services Shines a spotlight on good practice, including in those areas that receive WSoAs All areas will be inspected by 2021; revisits will continue until 2023 (if needed)

Role of the PCF in an inspection and revisit The views of parents are integral to the work of inspectors The LA / CCG will inform the PCF 5 working days before the SEND inspection Revisits will be notified to local area and PCF two weeks before the on site work PCF are key stakeholders and for revisits will be asked to submit evidence of local areas progress Inspectors are not making a judgment about the PCF Parental contributions through webinars, emails, PCF on site events Bespoke parental surveys for revisits

What happens where a WSoA is required LA and CCG are responsible for producing and submitting to Ofsted CQC within 70 working days Ofsted and CQC review fitness for purpose of statement, usually within 10 working days and write to the local area setting out their view Ofsted CQC revisit to assess whether the area has made sufficient progress in addressing the areas of significant weakness in the WSOA. Revisits will usually take place within 18 months of the WSOA being declared fit for purpose.

What happens after a report has been published (cont) DfE / CCG senior officials meet and Minister Zahawi writes to senior leaders in each local area DfE / NHSE work together to support and challenge progress against the actions in the WSoA, and provide encouragement, advice, and challenge At least quarterly visits from DfE and NHSE SEN Advisers Local areas have access to a support offer, including input from CDC, Whole School SEND, Contact

Introduction of revisits and responding to findings Revisits introduced to enable a focused judgement about the local area’s progress, including triangulation with service user experiences The sole purpose of the re-visit is to determine whether the local area has made sufficient progress in addressing the areas of significant weakness detailed in the WSOA. Ofsted CQC will advise area 10 working days before the revisit and inspectors (one each from Ofsted and CQC) will spend 2-4 days on site Ofsted and CQC will usually re-visit a local area within 18 months of the WSOA being declared fit for purpose Further details on revisits are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-area-send-inspection-guidance-for-inspectors

Introduction of revisits and responding to findings (cont) The published revisit letter will include: the decision about whether the local area has made sufficient progress to improve each of the serious weaknesses identified at the initial inspection a clear and brief summary of the effectiveness of leaders’ actions against each serious weakness reference to, and evidence for, any other serious concerns that inspectors identified during the re-visit and clarification that these will be communicated to the DfE and NHS England and will be used to determine the timing of the next inspection under any future LA SEND framework. Where sufficient progress is being made, DfE / NHSE will implement its routine monitoring role, as for all other local areas Where insufficient progress is being made, DfE / NHSE will take appropriate action depending on the specific findings from the re-visit