Ofsted extends ability to pause inspections to social care and early years providers

Ofsted has announced that it is extending its ability to pause inspections to cover children’s social care and early years providers, where concerns are detected regarding the wellbeing of leaders,

The move follows similar changes made for state school inspections after the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023.

Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector said: “We introduced a new ‘pausing policy’ in January for state schools, but today are going further to clarify the steps we’ll take when circumstances mean we have to pause the inspection of any school, further education, early years or social care provider.

“This includes occasions when leaders require support because of concerns about their well-being.”