Joint Targeted Area Inspection Announced

Dear Colleagues

I am writing to inform you that that we have received notice from Ofsted that they have commenced the process for a Joint Targeted Area Inspection in Norfolk. This inspection will focus on the multi-agency response to children, including unborn children, who are victims of domestic abuse. 

The inspection includes multiple inspectorates, each reviewing the practice of their respective agencies, to form a collective view of our multi-agency response to Domestic Abuse. The inspection will involve the following inspectorates: 

• Ofsted 
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) 
• His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) 
• His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) 

The inspection begins from the receipt of the notification 25 November and will run for three weeks, with inspectors on site for one week from 9 December until 13 December. During the next two weeks, we are required to submit a range of information and data to support the inspectors in their work. 

Before arriving, the lead inspector will identify 6 cases and ask all agencies to provide additional information for those cases. Inspectors will evaluate these cases during their fieldwork and they will want to speak with practitioners. A schools HMI will review children's experiences for the cases that the local partnership is asked to audit. They will contact and meet with relevant education and early years providers that the children attend to understand the role settings play within the multi-agency response to domestic abuse including any preventative work that is taking place. If a child who attends your school or early years provision is selected, the Education Safeguarding Team or Early Years Service will be in touch with you.

More information on the scope of the inspection can be found here: Joint targeted area inspection of the multi-agency response to children who are victims of domestic abuse - GOV.UK 

Kind regards

Sara Tough OBE
Executive Director of Children's Services
Honorary Dr of Letters