Ofsted confirms removal of headline judgement for inspections of local authorities’ children’s services from April 2026

The decision follows feedback from the ‘Big Listen’ consultation and reflects Ofsted’s commitment to “making inspections fairer”.

Revisions to the inspections of local authorities’ children’s services (ILACS) framework include aligning inspections with broader reforms happening across children’s social care.

The watchdog noted: “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.”

In 2026, 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 the period of inspection improvement, said the watchdog.

Lastly, Ofsted announced plans to reform how it evaluates and reports on local children’s services.

In 2026, it 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.

“We know that most children are best served by remaining safely within a loving, supportive family. The move to Family Help, including early help and prevention, is a key focus of the wider reforms happening across children’s social care. It is important that our inspections reflect this and I look forward to speaking more about the updates we will be making to our framework in 2026.

“Looking further ahead, we will build on our strong, existing foundations, to bring the best of ILACS into a renewed framework to be introduced in 2027. I look forward to hearing from children, professionals and local leaders as we develop our plans next year.”

Commenting on the plans, Jo Fisher, Chair of ADCS Regional Improvement and Inspection Policy Network, said: “One word cannot represent the complexities of children’s social care just as it cannot describe a school. Similarly, it cannot do justice to the hard work of thousands of professionals working day in day out to support children and young people.

“We are therefore pleased to see the removal of the overall effectiveness judgement as a first step towards more nuanced judgements. Our members value the robust and effective inspection of our services, as part of the continuous improvement journey.”

Lottie Winson