Understanding the legal and regulatory framework that underpins children’s services inspections is essential. It ensures that policies, decisions, and day-to-day practice align with national standards and expectations.
The Department for Education and Ofsted have published a useful guide that brings together key legislation, regulations, and statutory guidance used during inspections of local authority children’s services. This resource outlines the laws that shape how services are inspected, from safeguarding and care planning to corporate parenting responsibilities.
It is important that we fully understand these legal frameworks — not just for inspection readiness, but for ensuring consistent, lawful, and high-quality support for children and families. By understanding the framework inspectors work within, local authorities, children’s homes and education providers can better align their governance, oversight, and service delivery to achieve positive outcomes for every child.
👉 Read the full guidance here:
Inspecting local authority children’s services: links to legislation, regulations and statutory guidance
Written by Jennifer O’Callaghan
