Dear P Adams

Your request for information

Thank you for your email dated 16 October 2009 sent to the Ofsted enquiries mailbox ([email address]) in which you requested:

We emailed you on 13 November 2009 requesting further clarification on your request. You replied on 18 November 2009, outlining that your request included:

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your information request.

Summary of response

Ofsted does not hold the information you have requested.

Information Held

We have dealt with your request in accordance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000. The first requirement of the Act is for Ofsted to confirm whether it holds information of the description provided in your request.

I can confirm that Ofsted holds does not hold information on internal reviews or child protection reviews carried out by councils. There is no requirement for councils to notify Ofsted on the outcomes of such reviews or for Ofsted to evaluate child protection reviews undertaken by councils.

Ofsted does however have a responsibility to evaluate serious case reviews, which are local enquiries into the death or serious injury of a child where abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor. These reviews are carried out by Local Safeguarding Children Boards so that lessons can be learned. Ofsted's evaluation of serious case reviews includes consideration of whether independent representation in the review process is demonstrated. The responsibility for evaluating serious case reviews was transferred to Ofsted from the Commission for Social Care Inspection in April 2007. The findings of the evaluation and the overall judgement are sent to the relevant chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Director of Children's Services, if different.

Ofsted has produced two reports on our evaluations of serious case reviews. Both reports included an analysis of independence in the review process. The reports are available from the Ofsted website - Link

I trust that this letter adequately explains Ofsted's decision and provides the information you have requested. If you feel we have not dealt with your request satisfactorily, you can contact me at 0207 421 5648 or via [email address] to see if these matters can be resolved informally.

Alternatively, if you remain dissatisfied with Ofsted's response or the handling of your request you may request a formal internal review. In order to do this, please write to the following address, explaining what areas of Ofsted's response you are unhappy with:

Email: [email address] or write to:

Head of Information Rights

Legal Services Division

Ofsted

Aviation House

125 Kingsway

London, WC2B 6SE

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you also have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision as to whether or not Ofsted have complied with its obligations under the FOI Act with respect to your request. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

FOI Case Reception Unit

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

Heather Brown HMI

Divisional Manager,

Social Care Safeguarding

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