SCN0712

Written evidence from Christopher Robertson

 

 

Ofsted and CQC local area SEND inspections

 

  1. I note that during the final oral evidence session of the current SEND inquiry (21 May 2019) the committee’s chairperson referred to 40 local areas (of 82 inspected) being asked to provide a written statement of action (Ref: HC968, Q759) because of ‘significant concerns about the effectiveness of the local area’. Government witnesses did not correct/update the chairperson with regard to current local area inspection data.

 

  1. It would, I think, be helpful if the committee could ask Ofsted-CQC for definitive and up-to-date data on the relevant inspection outcomes before publishing the report of its inquiry.*

 

  1. I note, for example, that 91 local area reports have now been published and 46 local areas have been issued a requirement to produce a written statement of action (28 May). This means that over 50% of local areas have now been identified as ineffective with regard to implementing some aspects of the 2014 SEND reforms.

 

  1. I also note that, during the first term of inspections (summer 2016) none of the 8 local areas assessed raised significant concerns about effectiveness. This could, I think, be explained by inspectors ‘getting used’ to implementing a new inspection framework.

 

  1. More recently, the picture looks very different, and has to be a matter of concern. In the autumn term 2018, 9 of 13 local areas inspected have been required to produce a written statement of action. In spring term 2019, 7 of 10 local areas inspected have been required to produce a written statement of action (checked on 28 May).

 

  1. Notwithstanding the government’s view that local area SEND inspections outcomes are not ‘pass or fail’, the percentage of areas being required to improve because of significant concerns is causing alarm with key stakeholders, including parents and front-line professionals.

 

  1. It would be helpful too, if the education committee could ask Ofsted-CQC for up-to-date information about the outcome of inspection ‘re-visits’ to monitor the progress of local areas required to produce and implement a written statement of action. In instances where progress has been judged to be insufficient or too slow, it would be important to know what further action central government has, or will be taking.

 

  1. Finally, in expressing concern about the high number of local areas being required to produce a written statement of action I do not want to simply point a finger of blame at the areas concerned. Rather, I think it imperative to identify why implementing the 2014 SEND reforms has been so difficult and whether local areas have the capacity, or will have in the future, to comply with statute.

 

  1. It may be apposite to examine whether wider aspects of government education policy, have made it difficult or impossible to adhere to key requirements of the Children and Families Act. A case in point would be the role of support services for children and young people with SEND. Most local areas have, since 2010, reduced support provision significantly, in some instances to a skeletal level. Furthermore, they have been strong financial and policy pressure to do so.

 

  1. Christopher Robertson

 

Chair, SENCO Forum Advisory Group

 

Independent Academic and Policy Analyst

 

  1. *Please note that the data referred to here will very quickly be inaccurate/out of date as inspection data is updated on a weekly/monthly basis.

 

May 2019