Ofsted Future Hit By Baby P

摘要

The future of Ofsted hangs in the balance after the problems uncovered by the case of Baby P. Education secretary, Ed Balls, will make decisions on the inspectorate's future in charge of assessing children's social services based on the findings of Lord Laming's review, due in the new year. He warned last week that Ofsted's annual performance assessments (APA) on children's services departments' performance, due this week, would have to be looked at again, and could be challenged by councils. A Whitehall official told The MJ that the Haringey case had exposed long-known weaknesses in the inspection system. Although plans to change assessments are in place, it may be too late. 'Christine Gilbert [chief inspector of schools] was brought in to turn Ofsted around. She's the right person but Ofsted has been about schools. Social services isn't in its DNA.' Lord Laming's report will inform if Ofsted continues with social services. Following the watchdog's assessment of Haringey LBC, Mr Balls said he 'did not have confidence' that best practice was exercised everywhere. He added: 'It is vital that Ofsted has the experience in its inspectors. It is right that from next year, we are moving to a different and tougher regime.'