Ofsted updates framework for local authority inspections including removal of headline judgements

From April 2026, the updated framework will continue to make three practice judgements – about help and protection, children in care, and care leavers – alongside a judgement on the impact of leaders.

With the removal of the headline judgement, Ofsted has set out how and when local children’s services will be inspected:

• Local authorities judged ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ for the impact of leaders and at least two practice judgements will usually receive one focused visit before a short inspection.
• Local authorities judged ‘requires improvement’ for the impact of leaders or at least two of their practice judgments will usually receive two focused visits and then a standard inspection.
• Local authorities judged ‘inadequate’ for any practice judgement will receive monitoring visits and then a standard inspection.

According to the regulator, the updated inspection framework places “greater emphasis” on family networks and purposeful multi-agency working - recognising that keeping children safely with their families where possible and high ambitions for children in care and care leavers are “central goals” of the reforms.

Ofsted added: “In addition, the framework reflects the importance of professional development for senior leaders and collaboration between social workers and practitioners with different qualifications or areas of expertise.”

The updates also aim to put more focus on ending the use of unregistered children’s homes.

Under the updated framework, inspectors will challenge local authorities on their use of unlawful unregistered homes and how they plan to stop using them.

Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said: “Children’s experiences and progress are at the heart of all our work, and we’ve worked closely with the sector, experts and government to shape these important updates to our ILACS framework. 

“The changes will ensure our inspections reflect the focus of ongoing reforms across children’s social care, including a stronger emphasis on family help, multi-agency working, and supporting children to remain safely with their families.

“They will also strengthen ILACS for 2026 and provide a solid foundation for the development of our renewed children and families services inspection framework, which we’ll soon be consulting on for implementation in 2027.”

Last year, Ofsted announced plans to reform more broadly how local children’s social care services are inspected.

According to Ofsted, a consultation with children, professionals and local leaders will open this summer on proposals to develop a renewed children and families services inspection framework.

Lottie Winson