...Ofsted. Responsible, as you probably know, for inspecting LA children's services departments.
Last week, Ofsted published Effective leadership of children’s services: joining the dots - a guide to best practice for senior LA education & social care bods.
The report "explores the ways in which successful leadership in children’s services leads to better practice and improves the lives of children and families."
What does successful leadership look like? Well, Ofsted reckon that in successful LAs, leaders use an approach that's "open, honest and collaborative... driven by a strong moral base informed by solid professional knowledge."
Successful LA leaders use "effective lines of accountability," "scrutinising a range of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ data... establishing a deep understanding of practice."
As a result, "staff trusted their ability to do what was right for children... This increased confidence among the workforce that good decisions were being made which were improving outcomes for children and families"
You might be surprised to hear that LA leaders face "challenges in recruiting and retaining a skilled and competent workforce" - but successful leaders develop innovative ways around this problem.
Best practice here, according to Ofsted, includes a policy they call "growing your own" . I bet they do. It would explain an awful lot.
Ofsted visited 9 LAs in producing this shower of shite report. I live in one of these LAs. At least I think I do, although the LA I deal with are about a light year away from the glowing testimonial that Ofsted report on here. Of course, it's entirely possible I live in this LA, but one that's just located in a different dimension to the LA that the Ofsted team visited.
Seriously - Timpson has charged Ofsted with the task of ensuring that LAs are implementing the SEN reforms effectively. If these clueless cunts are any guide, they'll offer all the informed challenge of a limp lettuce.