CSCI hands over childrens services regulation

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has predicted that the handover of the inspection of children's services to education regulator Ofsted would not see immediate changes to the inspection approach.

CSCI's made the handover to Ofsted officially on April 1 at which point responsibility for regulation and inspection of most children's social care services in England moved from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) to Ofsted.

The office of the children's rights director, Roger Morgan, based within CSCI, also joins the new Ofsted.

A CSCI statemnt said: "The inspection and regulation of children's services does not change significantly in the short term, with many CSCI staff transferring to Ofsted and continuing the focus on the experience of children who use services."

CSCI retains all functions for adult social care including services for younger adults and older people. It will also continue to regulate a small number of services that serve both adults and children - some home care services, nurses agencies, care homes and specialist further education colleges registered as care homes. CSCI will also continue to have an interest in the transition from children's to adults' services.

Ofsted also has a new title as the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills.

Christine Gilbert, chief inspector of education, children's services and skills, , said: "The reach of the new inspectorate is extensive. At least one person in three makes use of the services we shall inspect or regulate. This puts us in a position to make a difference to the lives of many millions of our fellow-citizens, of all ages. This is a privilege, and a great responsibility."