ADCS

Remit

This policy committee has lead responsibility for service quality and performance management, including inspection, intervention and the use of local and national data. The committee links with Ofsted and all other inspectorates involved in children’s services. The last year has seen intensive debate about the role of inspection in improvement, and how that may change in the future, as well as detailed discussion to advise on updating the existing frameworks and systems. Building an effective relationship with Ofsted and the Department for Education has been invaluable in taking this work forward.

Minutes

Minutes from recent committee meetings are available in the members' only area of the website.

Updates

November 2011

Latest work includes:

• submission of the ADCS response on the data profiles proposed to support sector-led improvement. A further meeting with representatives of the CIB will have taken place between the issuing of papers and the meeting of council of reference. A verbal update will be offered at the meeting.
• submission of the ADCS response to the consultation on revised arrangements for inspection of LA children's services. A verbal update from the HMCI meeting with interim HMCI Miriam Rosen will be given at the meeting.
• The Chair of the Committee has been in discussions with DfE regarding data to support recommendations from the Munro report and proposals for comment have been made available to ADCS members via the bulletin.

The Committee next meets on 29th November, when the new Director of Education and Care at Ofsted, Joan Humphreys, will be attending. The Committee will also continue to discuss the use of data to support improvement and to inform national government of the health of the system, the future of inspection and quality assurance procedures in local authorities.