In line with wider changes to local authority accountability arrangements across Government, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families announced, on 9 December 2010, the intention to repeal the requirement on Ofsted to conduct an annual assessment of local authority children's services (section 138 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006), stating that Government would 'seek to repeal this legislation at the earliest opportunity'.

The Department for Education is now consulting on the Government's proposal to repeal section 138 using a legislative reform order. The consultation closes on 18 March 2012. Responses should be sent to CSA.LRO@education.gsi.gov.uk.

The consultation document can be downloaded from here.
The consultation response form can be downloaded from here
The draft legislative reform order can be downloaded from here.

Children England will be submitting a response on behalf of their membership and the wider sector. Their submission will focus on the following questions:

Do you agree with the proposal to repeal section 138 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006?
Do you think the proposals will remove or reduce burdens?
Are the proposals put forward in this consultation document proportionate to the policy objective?
Do the proposals put forward in this consultation document remove any necessary protection?

If you have any comments on these or any other question contained within the consultation please email Nick Davies at nick@childrenengland.org.uk by 12 March 2012.