Summary of changes
Updated 6 June 2025
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/area-send-framework-and-handbook/summary-of-changes
This sets out changes we have made to reflect our inspection practice.
June 2025
Changes to the area SEND handbook and framework include:
- references to ‘judge’ or ‘judgement’ have been changed to ‘evaluate’ or ‘outcome’ throughout the handbook
- updates throughout the handbook to reflect changes to the information requested to support inspections (Annex A)
- a new section setting out how inspectors will include the views of children and young people and families during the inspection
- updates to reflect changes to the process for priority action plans
- updates to reflect changes to monitoring inspections, including arrangements, feedback to leaders and outcomes
- updates to the information on engagement meetings
- updates to the information requested to support the inspection (Annex A)
- removed the section on liberty protection safeguards
Paragraph 8: new paragraph that references Ofsted’s code of conduct. It explains how inspectors will highlight the code of conduct during the set-up discussion.
Paragraph 17: clarification of the purpose and scope of monitoring inspections, engagement meetings and thematic visits.
Paragraph 21: clarification that monitoring inspections will usually take place 18 months from the date when the local area partnership received its final full inspection report.
Paragraph 29: clarification that inspectors may visit providers in specialist health and social care services; or those providing early help support or services, to gather evidence.
Paragraph 65: clarification that inspectors will meet local area leaders to understand their strategic use and oversight of unregistered alternative provision.
Paragraphs 88 and 89: clarification on surveys and procedures on how to share links within local areas.
Paragraph 134: clarification on who is expected to attend the final feedback meeting.
Paragraph 151: clarification on the timings for strategic plans.
April 2024
Paragraph 27: clarification that, when applying the handbook, inspectors will take appropriate action to comply with Ofsted’s duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Paragraph 80: clarification of Ofsted’s pause policy and when inspectors will contact the duty desk regarding well-being.
Paragraph 85: clarifications regarding opportunities to discuss and/or provide information on potential equalities duties, including reasonable adjustments for individuals.
Paragraphs 137 to 138: clarification regarding updated arrangements for handling concerns and complaints in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process.
Paragraph 152: clarification regarding updated arrangements for quality assurance in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process.
Paragraphs 155 to 157: clarification regarding updated arrangements for handling concerns and complaints in line with Ofsted’s new complaints process.
January 2024
Paragraph 7: clarification regarding the expectations for inspectors’ conduct during inspections.
Paragraph 11: clarification regarding the scope of the inspection.
Paragraph 80: clarification regarding the expectations for inspectors’ conduct during inspections.
Clarification regarding how inspectors should engage with staff and leaders and respond if they see or suspect that a staff member or leader is upset or distressed.
Paragraph 85: clarification regarding the set up call.
Paragraphs 105,109, 112, 127, 128 and 132: clarification regarding meetings with/speaking to inspectors to reflect who may be present.
Paragraph 133: clarification on who the inspection outcome might be shared with.
Paragraph 155 and 156: updated to reflect how leaders may raise concerns.
November 2022
Following a review of the consultation responses we received during June to September 2022, we have reviewed the draft framework and handbook document in full. This is accompanied by a person-level data template.