Ofsted proposes single inspection for Cafcass

15 Jan 13
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service should be subject to a single annual inspection from September, Ofsted has proposed.

By Vivienne Russell | 15 January 2013

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service should be subject to a single annual inspection from September, Ofsted has proposed.

In a consultation published today, the education and children’s services watchdog said the new inspection would cover both local services and nationally delivered functions.

Cafcass is a national organisation providing services to children, families and the courts in England across 17 geographical areas. Its services have previously been inspected separately but the number of local areas has been reduced from 21 and some functions have been centralised. Ofsted is therefore proposing the single inspection. This would take place over two weeks and be unannounced. Up to six local service areas would be visited as part of the inspection.

Ofsted deputy chief inspector John Goldup said Cafcass’s performance had improved significantly over the past few years. ‘Our new, more streamlined inspection framework will focus on ensuring that improvement is sustained at the national strategic level and on the ground,’ he said.

‘We want inspection to make sure that the best possible outcomes are achieved for children who are subject to family court proceedings, often at a very difficult point in their young lives. We welcome the widest possible range of responses to this consultation from anyone who has an interest in or expertise relating to the Cafcass role in the family court.’

The consultation will run until March 12 and the new arrangements will come into force in September.

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