Today, Ofsted is launching a consultation on our joint inspections of local areas’ effectiveness in managing the needs of children and young people who are disabled and/or have special educational needs (SEN).
We encourage you to share your views on the inspection programme, which we will carry out in partnership with Ofsted. You have until 4 January to submit your ideas.
The new programme responds to new legal duties on local areas to work together to meet the needs of this often vulnerable group and will start in May next year. The programme will include collecting and considering the views of children and young people who either have SEN or who are disabled.
The definition of special educational needs is wide, from dyslexia to profound learning and physical disabilities. There are hundreds of thousands of such children and young people in England who will benefit from the focus this inspection will bring to the services they rely on.
The inspection cycle spans five years and will feature annual reporting of findings. This work is in addition to the specialist CQC inspection programme on children looked after and safeguarding (CLAS).
For further information about how to take part in the consultation, please visit gov.uk.
Have your say
Find out more and give your views on the local area SEND consultation (children with special educational needs and disabilities)