By Vivienne Russell | 7 June 2011
Councils could have their fostering and adoption services inspected at the same time under plans put forward by Ofsted today.
The children’s services watchdog has launched a consultation on inspection arrangements for adoption and fostering services provided by both councils and voluntary agencies.The inspection regime needs to change to incorporate the new national minimum standards and statutory guidance introduced by the government in April. This includes a judgement on whether adoption agencies are financially sound.
Ofsted suggests that combining the inspections for councils could reduce burdens on local government. It is also proposing to reduce the notice of inspection from six or eight weeks to ten days.
A vital change will be to involve children ‘routinely and directly’ in adoption inspections.
Ofsted head Christine Gilbert said: ‘Ensuring children are placed with families and carers that meet their needs and minimises delays is vitally important to help them feel settled, secure and loved. Ofsted is determined that our inspection of fostering and adoption services will put the needs of children and young people first, looking at what makes the difference for them.
‘The proposed changes will ensure inspection continues to support improvement, focusing on the needs of people using the services.’
The consultation runs until August 31 and findings will be published at the end of the year. The new inspection framework will come into force in April 2012.
