What Next For Inspection?

摘要

The tragic death of Baby P has shone a spotlight on the future of local authority inspection, with the claim from Ofsted that Haringey LBC had given it 'unreliable' information. The legacy of the case could have major implications for councils which go well beyond the children's services department, with some local government insiders predicting this will be a huge setback to central-local relations - and to the localism agenda. Ofsted has now told council managers that the onus is on them to ensure they are properly inspected. Although the watchdog has shouldered a certain amount of blame for the inaccurate rating of Haringey LBC's children's services, council leaders must concede some of the responsibility for correct ratings, Ofsted's chief executive has said. Speaking to The MJ, Christine Gilbert, says: 'Councils can't give us wrong information and be surprised their inspection results are wrong. They must take some responsibility for that.