Plans to reform inspections of children’s services unveiled

Ofsted has confirmed plans to change inspections of local authorities’ children’s services (ILACS) in 2026 and 2027, including removal of overall effectiveness judgement from April 2026.

The move follows the response to the Big Listen consultation and Ofsted’s commitment to making inspections fairer.

Ofsted has also announced revisions to the ILACS framework from April 2026, to align inspections with the broader reforms happening across children’s social care. These changes will ensure inspections reflect the changing expectations on children’s services, which include a greater focus on supporting children and their families to stay together, get the help they need, be safe and have stable and loving homes.   

Ofsted will also provide further training for ILACS inspectors to support their understanding of sector reforms and how they impact on their work. The creation of an advisory reference group – bringing together National Advisors, nominated sector experts and representatives from pathfinder local authorities – will help deliver inspector training and provide valuable insight during this period of inspection improvement.
Consultation

Ofsted has also announced more significant plans to reform how it evaluates and reports on local children’s services. In 2026, Ofsted will consult with children, professionals and local leaders on proposals to develop a renewed children and families services framework to be introduced in 2027.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver said: "During the Big Listen, social care professionals were consistently positive about our inspections but told us that single-word overall effectiveness judgements over-simplified the complexities of their work. I committed to reforming children’s social care inspections to raise standards and to do right by children and the professionals that support them. The removal of the headline judgement in ILACS is a significant first step in fulfilling this commitment."