A SEND inspection is a joint inspection conducted by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that evaluates a local area's support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesDisabilitiesA physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on an individual’s ability to do normal daily activities. (SEND). The primary goal of these inspections are to improve services for our children and young people. These inspections assess how effectively local education, health, and social care services collaborate to enhance experiences and outcomes for these children. The inspection process focuses on the real impact on children, young people, and their families, aiming to ensure the effectiveness of the SEND system and drive improvements through published reports and recommendations.

A SEND inspection gives children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers the opportunity to share their experiences and provide feedback on local services. Inspectors will gather views through surveys and meetings to evaluate the effectiveness of provisions and how well local services identify, work together and meet the needs of children with SEND.

Following an inspection, a report is published detailing the findings. The report will highlight what is working well, recommendations for areas that need improvement, and any future visits planned to monitor progress.