Clause 14 - Inspection
Childcare Bill
5:15 pm

Beverley Hughes (Minister of State (Children, Young People and Families), Department for Education and Skills; Stretford and Urmston, Labour)

I beg to move amendment No. 136, in page 8, line 9, after ‘by’, insert ‘or under’.

David Amess (Southend West, Conservative)

With this it will be convenient to discuss Government amendment No. 137.

Beverley Hughes (Minister of State (Children, Young People and Families), Department for Education and Skills; Stretford and Urmston, Labour)

These are drafting amendments that simply add the phrase “or under” to ensure that Ofsted’s power to inspect local authorities in relation to the new duties under the Bill extends, as was intended, to functions conferred by regulations as well as those specified in the Bill.

Nick Gibb (Shadow Minister, Education; Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)

Will the Minister clarify the naming of local education authorities? What are they supposed to be called following the “Every Child Matters” document and the 2004 Act?

Beverley Hughes (Minister of State (Children, Young People and Families), Department for Education and Skills; Stretford and Urmston, Labour)

We have signalled that what used to be called “local education authorities” will simply be the “local authority”. The integration of education and social care now involves the children’s trust, led by the local authority, and a wide range of other partners are included in the arrangements.

The clause makes the new local authority duties and powers in relation to improving well-being, securing child care and providing information subject to inspection by Ofsted. It ensures that those duties are subject to an independent inspection process including annual performance assessment and joint area reviews. Given the importance of independent inspection, I recommend that the clause stand part of the Bill.