Local Area SEND inspection: December 2019

Inspection of Salford local area’s effectiveness in identifying and meeting the needs of, and improving outcomes for, children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) took place from Monday 9 December 2019 to Friday 13 December 2019.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) jointly carried out an inspection of the local area. Under the Children and Families Act 2014, the government placed new duties on the local health, social and education services that provide for children and young people with SEND.

The inspection evaluated how effectively the local area: 

  • Identifies the needs of children and young people with SEND 
  • Meets the needs of these children and young people so that their outcomes and chances of participating fully in society improve  

Read the Salford Local Area SEND inspection report (Adobe PDF format, 174kb)

What is the Local Area SEND Inspection?

In May 2016, a new type of inspection started. Ofsted (who inspect schools) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC – inspectors of health and care services) agreed to carry out joint inspections of local areas. They wanted to see how well local areas were doing in supporting children with Special Education Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

What happens during the inspection?

Inspectors spend five days in Salford. They will visit early years settings, schools and colleges. They want to gather the views of parents, carers and young people. Inspectors will look at how well the local area (including Education, Health and Care services) works together to make sure that children and young people with SEND are identified, assessed and supported.

How do local areas find out about the inspection?

Local areas get five days notice of an inspection, to give enough time to let people know. This has been announced on the Salford Local Offer website along with a webinar for parents and carers. Schools, colleges or early years settings will also know it is happening.

How do I find out about the outcome of the SEND inspection?

When inspectors have finished they will write a report which will tell us about all the things they have found. The inspection letter will be published on this page once we have received it.

Further information on Local Area SEND Inspections

Further information for families about the inspection of local area services for children and young people with SEND can be found on the GOV.UK website

About Salford Parent Voice

Salford Parent Voice is Salford’s Parent Carer Forum and are recognised by the DfE as the local strategic partner. They are a group of parents and carers of children and young people with a disability and/or additional needs who are 0 to 25 years old.

They represent the views of parents and carers and work alongside parents, local authority, schools, health services and other providers to make sure the services they plan and deliver meet the needs of children and families.

They are an information and networking hub providing support to families, you can email them at info@salfordparentvoice.co.uk.

Local Offer: For children and young people with SEN or disabilities

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