The children's consultation is on to of Ofsted’s main Big Listen consultation open to professionals working in education and social care, parents/carers, which launched on 8 March.
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, as well as social care providers for children who have experience of being in care.
Adults can fill in the consultation on behalf of children. Like the wider Big Listen consultation, the children’s version will close on 31 May 2024.
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 children’s focus groups are designed to complement other Ofsted-commissioned research by 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.
‘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.’
- The Children's Consultation is here
