Ofsted/CQC Area SEND and Alternative Provision inspection Inspection on the horizon

Norfolk is preparing for its next Area SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) inspection, expected between September and Christmas. This will be our first full inspection since 2022, and the framework has changed significantly. 

The inspection will last three weeks and will look at how well the whole partnership is working together. This includes the county council, health, schools and colleges, early years settings and alternative provision. 

This is not an inspection of individual schools or services. Inspectors will focus on how effectively the system works as a whole and what difference this makes for children and families. 

What this means for your setting 

Inspectors will carry out six detailed case studies. They will follow children's journeys over the past two to three years, speaking to families and professionals involved in their support. If one of these children attends your setting, you may be contacted. 

Inspectors may also visit settings more widely. This could include looking at school-led alternative provision or your wider SEND offer. 

There will be more direct engagement with professionals, and a sharper focus on alternative provision. You may be asked to explain: 

• Your role in supporting children and young people with SEND 
• The impact of your work 
• How you work with partners across the system 

Your voice matters in helping inspectors understand how the system works in practice. 

Our opportunity 

This inspection is not just a challenge. It is an opportunity to show the progress made since 2022. Inspectors are not looking for perfection. They are looking for impact and the difference being made for children and families. 

There are clear strengths to build on: 

• Improved EHCP timeliness and processes: 
  20-week timeliness is consistently over 60% compared to around 8% five years ago, 80% of EP statutory assessments are returned within timescales, the annual review backlog has been reduced with the average rate improving year on year, and there is strong compliance of more than 90% with phase transfers.
• Stronger co-production with schools, settings, children and young people: 
  Strong collaboration between education professionals and NCC teams in the design and development of INDES, IPSEF and Graduated Provision Map (GPM) with 100% engagement from mainstream settings; health colleagues have engaged young people in designing service specifications for the CYP Mental Health Charter; and there has been a focused audit on how effectively children's voices were being captured in EHCPs. 
• Continued investment in specialist provision and new places: 
  There has been joint DfE and NCC revenue investment in provision and services over a number of years, to be built upon by the recently announced reforms, alongside DfE capital investment in special schools in addition to the council's previous and ongoing capital investment for SEND and AP of £120 million plus 110 new SRB places this year. 
• Better aligned support around mainstream settings through integrated teams: 
  The SEND and Inclusion Support Model has aligned 150 practitioners including educational psychologists, specialist teachers, SEND advisers, inclusion advisers and school and community team workers into zone-based teams and a new core EPSS offer is now free at the point of delivery for all schools. 

A key focus will be having a shared voice across Norfolk. Everyone should feel confident explaining their role, our journey and the impact we are making together. 

Further information will be shared in Together eCourier over the coming weeks.