In Ofsted’s response to the Big Listen, there is an ambition to increase Ofsted’s focus on how providers are meeting the needs of vulnerable children, learners and young people.
As part of this, Ofsted will be introducing a new inspection criterion on inclusion in order to help direct attention and resources to those with the highest need.
Ofsted has commissioned research on vulnerability and inclusion. Research in Practice, part of the National Children’s Bureau, is leading a project which aims to help Ofsted develop an evidence-informed conceptualisation of vulnerability and inclusion, for consideration in their inspection and regulatory work in education and children’s social care.
Your views matter
We know that professionals across education and social care work tirelessly to address the needs of vulnerable children and families – and their understanding of vulnerability and inclusion is nuanced and expansive.
Therefore, in addition to reviewing the published literature, we also want to speak to professionals across the early years, education (including further education) and social care sectors.
Invitation to join an online focus group
We are running a series of online focus groups, organised by region. We want to hear from professionals at all levels, across the education and social care sectors.
Before requesting a place, please review the participant information and Ofsted's Terms of Reference for this project.
The dates are below and we encourage colleagues to book within their region if possible.
South East, 17 October, 12:30-14:00
North East, 21 October, 12:00-13:30
West Midlands, 24 October, 10:30-12:00
North West, 28 October, 10:00-11:30
London, 31 October, 15:00-16:30
South West, 5 November, 10:00-11:30
East Midlands, 13 November, 15:30-17:00
Yorkshire & the Humber, 19 November, 15:00-16:30
East, 21 November, 12:00-13:30
To request your place, please complete this expression of interest form using the link below.
You will then be sent a consent form to sign and return. For any clarification or questions, please email vulnerabilityproject@researchinpractice.org.uk.
Conceptualising vulnerability and inclusion
In our short video below, Alice Jones introduces some of the work that has already started as part of the project.