A new information-sharing agreement looks set to improve children’s care services across England.
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) and Ofsted have agreed to share information with a view to improving each other’s intelligence of local authorities children’s services.
Information about complaints handled by the LGO relating to councils’ children services will now be ‘routinely shared’ with Ofsted, in a move intended to inform its inspection processes.
Ofsted will also inform the LGO of any concerns it may have about a local authority’s implementation of policy and procedural changes recommended by the Ombudsman.
‘I look forward to working more closely with children’s services regulator, Ofsted,’ said LGO Dr Jane Martin.
‘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, also welcomed the new arrangement.
‘Inspection and accountability help to drive improvements in children’s services,’ Ms Schooling said.
‘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.’
