Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to deliver updated Ofsted and CQC Area SEND inspections.

The department has worked closely with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to develop and launch the new Area Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inspection framework. Inspection activity commenced in January 2023 and will continue on a continuous cycle in line with the published framework and handbook.

These inspections will place greater emphasis on the outcomes that are being achieved for children and young people and look more closely at children under five and those aged 16-25 years old. They will also involve social care inspectors and include alternative provision for the first time.

This inspection framework will allow the department to act quickly when areas fail to provide the necessary support to meet the needs of children and young people.

Since the launch of the current Ofsted/CQC area SEND inspection framework in January 2023, 16 inspections have concluded and eight reports have been published. All local areas are due to receive a full inspection within five years, driving better outcomes and standards in line with our ambitious programme of reform.