Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission about ensuring that local area SEND inspections evaluate how effectively local areas use the data collected at age two (Ages and Stages Questionnaire), age four (baseline assessment), and age five (early years foundation stage profile) to monitor children identified as in need of support.

The effectiveness of the use of data by local areas to monitor children identified as in need of support is a key element of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) inspection framework.

In preparation for the inspection, inspectors will consider all available evidence to develop a picture of the local area’s performance in fulfilling its responsibilities. This includes, but is not restricted to, data relating to the identification of SEND. This includes health review assessments and commissioning and delivery, including the healthy child programme and school nursing service.

During the inspection, inspectors will draw on a range of information and data to support making their judgements. Inspectors will also test the local area’s self-evaluation of its effectiveness in identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND.

All inspection reports include findings on the effectiveness of the local area’s use of evaluation. In West Berkshire, for example, leaders across health, education and care services regularly meet to consider the support for pupils with the highest level of need. This close collaboration not only ensures that current support is working well but also that services change and evolve to meet the needs of these pupils as they grow.