Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.    That the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the risks highlighted in the report as a result of these challenges and the actions being taken to continue focussing on delivery of frontline services be noted.

2.    That a further report is taken to Cabinet in spring 2021 – to include an update on the children’s improvement activity and the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the response from Surrey’s children’s services.

Reason for decision:

Following the suspension of routine Ofsted inspections in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the HMCI (Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector) has now outlined the interim plans for a phased return to routine inspections. Surrey's children's services look forward to hosting Ofsted for a Focussed Visit between January and March 2021 and will welcome feedback on how the local authority has supported children, young people and families throughout the pandemic.

The routine national inspection activity is expected to resume from April 2021; this was re-confirmed following the November/December ‘lockdown’ with further detail available on the GOV.UK website. We are anticipating a full re-inspection of Surrey's children's services later in 2021.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]