Summary of changes
Updated 7 July 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
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.
July 2025
Changes to the area SEND handbook and framework include:
Paragraph 23: clarification that if the local authority in the local area is also receiving monitoring visits under the ‘Inspecting local authority children’s services’ (ILACS) framework, there will usually be no more than 3 monitoring visits across both frameworks within a 12-month period.
Paragraph 149: clarification that the principal authority, and any other local area partners who were involved in making the priority action plan (area SEND), will only receive feedback from the Department for Education and regional NHSE, not Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.
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.