Ofsted plans tougher inspections for adoption and fostering
Joe Lepper
Monday, June 6, 2011
Fostering and adoption agencies are to face tougher inspections under measures being proposed by Ofsted.
In its consultation, Putting the Needs of Children First: Ofsted Consultation on Inspection of Adoption and Fostering Agencies, the inspectorate is proposing to slash the notice period for inspections to just 10 days.
Currently adoption agencies are given eight weeks’ notice and fostering agencies get six weeks’ warning.
Plans to focus inspections on poor performing agencies with visits to those classed as "outstanding" carried out less frequently are being considered.
Ofsted also wants to put a greater focus on the quality of services beyond their statutory duties and also reflect new minimum standards that were introduced in April this year. How well services promote equality will be another emphasis of the new inspection process.
In a statement the inspectorate said: "Inspection will continue to make sure that adoption and fostering agencies comply with regulatory requirements but it will have an increased focus on the quality of services and the difference these make to children’s lives in supporting them to grow up in secure and loving families."
For adoption services Ofsted wants to involve children more in the inspection process and focus more on the speed and effectiveness of targeting and placing children for adoption.
Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "Ensuring children are placed with families and carers who meet their needs is vitally important to help them feel settled, secure and loved."
Other proposals include inspecting council-run adoption and fostering inspections separately to reduce the workload involved for local authorities.
The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) welcomed the consultation. It said in a statement: "BAAF both understands and values the importance of robust and effective inspection in helping to ensure high-quality adoption and fostering services.
"It is in the interests of everyone, but particularly of children, that the inspection process is the best it can be. We look forward to responding to the consultation in due course."
Hugh Thornbery, director of children’s services at Action for Children, said: "Today’s consultation reinforces the fact that children’s voices must be heard, listened to and acted on. With over 25 per cent of adoption placements breaking down, children’s individual needs have to be taken into consideration in the first instance to ensure children and young people are placed in long-lasting and loving homes.
"We wholeheartedly agree with an inspection system that ensures quality services are in place and although we recognise the need to speed up placements, this must never be at the cost of overlooking the individual needs of children."
The deadline for responses is 31 August. Ofsted will also be carrying out a series of pilot inspections using the proposed model before the changes are due to come into force in April 2012.
Currently adoption agencies are given eight weeks’ notice and fostering agencies get six weeks’ warning.
Plans to focus inspections on poor performing agencies with visits to those classed as "outstanding" carried out less frequently are being considered.
Ofsted also wants to put a greater focus on the quality of services beyond their statutory duties and also reflect new minimum standards that were introduced in April this year. How well services promote equality will be another emphasis of the new inspection process.
In a statement the inspectorate said: "Inspection will continue to make sure that adoption and fostering agencies comply with regulatory requirements but it will have an increased focus on the quality of services and the difference these make to children’s lives in supporting them to grow up in secure and loving families."
For adoption services Ofsted wants to involve children more in the inspection process and focus more on the speed and effectiveness of targeting and placing children for adoption.
Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "Ensuring children are placed with families and carers who meet their needs is vitally important to help them feel settled, secure and loved."
Other proposals include inspecting council-run adoption and fostering inspections separately to reduce the workload involved for local authorities.
The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) welcomed the consultation. It said in a statement: "BAAF both understands and values the importance of robust and effective inspection in helping to ensure high-quality adoption and fostering services.
"It is in the interests of everyone, but particularly of children, that the inspection process is the best it can be. We look forward to responding to the consultation in due course."
Hugh Thornbery, director of children’s services at Action for Children, said: "Today’s consultation reinforces the fact that children’s voices must be heard, listened to and acted on. With over 25 per cent of adoption placements breaking down, children’s individual needs have to be taken into consideration in the first instance to ensure children and young people are placed in long-lasting and loving homes.
"We wholeheartedly agree with an inspection system that ensures quality services are in place and although we recognise the need to speed up placements, this must never be at the cost of overlooking the individual needs of children."
The deadline for responses is 31 August. Ofsted will also be carrying out a series of pilot inspections using the proposed model before the changes are due to come into force in April 2012.
