LGO and Ofsted strike agreement to share intelligence on children’s services
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) and Ofsted has agreed to share information with a view to improving each other’s intelligence of local authorities children’s services.
The Protocol between the two bodies means that information about complaints handled by the LGO relating to a local authorities children’s services will be routinely shared with Ofsted with the aim of helping to inform its inspection processes.
Similarly, following an Ofsted inspection of a local authorities children’s services, Ofsted will advise the LGO of any concerns it has about a local authority’s failure to implement policy and procedural changes as recommended by the LGO following an investigation.
Dr Jane Martin (pictured), Local Government Ombudsman, said: “I look forward to working more closely with children’s services regulator, Ofsted. Sharing information in this way will not only benefit both our organisations, but should also help drive improvements in children’s care services across England.”
Eleanor Schooling, Ofsted Director for Social Care, said: “Inspection and accountability help to drive improvements in children’s services. I’ve been greatly encouraged by recent monitoring visits to children’s services formerly judged to be inadequate, where inspectors saw tangible evidence of progress. So I look forward to working more closely with the Local Government Ombudsman to help improve care for some of the most vulnerable children in England.”
