OFSTED – who they are, why they visit, and what you must report
The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is an independent public body that inspects schools, colleges and social-care providers—including fostering agencies like Positive Aspirations Group. Their core questions are simple:
- Are children safe?
- Are their outcomes improving?
- Does the agency meet all legal and ethical standards?
1 | Inspection cycle and your role
- Frequency: our fostering service is inspected roughly every three years.
- Process: inspectors tour the office and may visit foster homes; they always ask to speak with foster carers and, where appropriate, children.
- Co-operation: please welcome inspectors, answer honestly and provide documents or records they request. Inspection is a chance to showcase good practice and highlight anything we could do better.
2 | Contacting Ofsted directly
If—after using the agency’s complaint routes—you still feel an issue is unresolved, you, the child, or any interested adult may contact Ofsted:
- Address: Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD
- General enquiries: 0300 123 1231 (Mon–Fri 08:00-18:00)
- Concerns line: 0300 123 4666
- Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
- Online form: https://contact.ofsted.gov.uk/contact-form
3 | Notifiable Events – what must reach Ofsted within 24 hours
Regulation 36 of the Fostering Services Regulations and National Minimum Standard 29 require the agency to alert Ofsted quickly when certain serious incidents occur. Your duty is to telephone your Supervising Social Worker (SSW) or the out-of-hours manager at once and complete an Incident Report the same day. The agency then decides whether the event is “notifiable” and files the notification.
Events that must be reported include, but are not limited to:
- Discovery that a child is at risk of sexual exploitation, county lines activity or gang affiliation.
- Self-harm episode or suicidal behaviour.
- Serious illness, accident, injury or any hospital admission.
- Complaint or allegation against a foster carer or professional.
- Physical restraint of a child.
- Missing child or unauthorised absence.
- Suspected radicalisation or extremism.
If you are unsure, treat it as serious: ring your SSW, record the facts, and let the agency decide.
Key message: Ofsted is both watchdog and ally. Co-operating with inspectors, contacting them when necessary, and reporting notifiable events promptly all contribute to a culture where children’s welfare—and your professionalism—can shine.
