Online consultation aimed at children of all ages and
backgrounds.
Their views on what’s important will help shape Ofsted’s future
direction.
Focus groups will hear directly from children in care and care
leavers.
The online consultation
gives children (up to age 18) the chance to tell Ofsted what they
think inspectors should look at when they visit their school or
social care setting, and how Ofsted can do its job better.
The children’s consultation aligns with the main Big Listen
consultation, which opened on 8 March for parents, carers and
professionals working in education and social care.
The children’s consultation asks a series of short questions for
children to answer anonymously, without revealing any personal
details. There are questions for all children to answer about how
Ofsted should inspect schools and other education providers,
followed by a section about social care providers, for children
who have experience of being in care.
Alongside the consultation, Ofsted is partnering with a number of
organisations to hold a series of Big Listen focus groups with
care-experienced children and young people, including those in
the youth justice system. The sessions will take place during May
and June and involve children of different age ranges and diverse
backgrounds. The views and feedback collected will help Ofsted
make sure that any future changes to inspection and regulation
are focused on how well education and care providers help and
support children.
The children’s focus groups will complement other
Ofsted-commissioned research, by independent organisations NatCen
and IFF Research, which are supporting the Big Listen through
surveys and focus groups with the public, parents and
professionals.
Ofsted Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver said:
We will always put the interests of children first, so we’re very
keen to hear what they have to say about our work. We want to
know what is important to them about their school or care
provider, and what they think we should be looking at when we
inspect.
Our job is to make sure all children are getting the high
standards of education and care they deserve, and that
disadvantage or vulnerability are never a barrier to new
opportunities and better life chances.
Feedback from children themselves will help us make sure that we
are doing that job the best way we can. So I really hope as many
as possible will get involved in the Big Listen and fill out the
survey. And I’d encourage children to ask their parents and
carers to do the same. We work for all of them – and we need to
get it right.
Adults can fill in the consultation on behalf of children, and it
will take just a few minutes to complete. Like the wider Big
Listen consultation, the children’s version will close on 31 May
2024.
Notes to editors:
- The consultation is open to children up to age 18, in
primary, secondary and further education, as well as children in
care.
- Ofsted will carefully analyse all the responses to the Big
Listen consultation and publish its conclusions and future plans
later this year.
