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Care Inspectorate
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Care Inspectorate
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The Care Inspectorate is a scrutiny body which supports improvement for social care and social work in Scotland. That means we look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. Where we find that improvement is needed, we support services to make positive changes.
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Part 1 of the Bill
1. Several reports, including the OECD Review of the Curriculum for Excellence and Professor Ken Muir’s report “Putting Learners at the Centre. Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education”, have recommended reforming the current Scottish Qualifications Authority. How well do you think the Bill addresses the concerns raised in those reports?
Please provide your response in the box provided.
N/A
2. The Bill sets out measures designed to better involve learners, teachers and others in the new body’s decision-making. What do you think about these measures?
Please provide your response in the box provided.
N/A
3. The Bill also creates several Charters, designed to let people know what they can expect when interacting with Qualifications Scotland. What is your view of these Charters?
Please provide your response in the box provided.
N/A
Part 2 of the Bill
1. Part 2 of the Bill establishes the role of HM Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, setting out what they will do and how they will operate. What are your views of these proposals? E.g. Do they allow for sufficient independence?
Please provide your response in the box provided.
At this point, the only aspect of the proposals we wish to comment on is the definition of educational establishments. Our understanding is that inspection will continue to be carried out in the full range of educational establishments and services as are currently inspected, however we note that neither the Bill, Explanatory Notes nor the Policy Memorandum address the issue of the inspection arrangements for the early learning and childcare (ELC) sector. The Policy Memorandum notes that currently, nursery schools ((i.e. those providing early learning and childcare, and funded partner providers of early learning and childcare) are inspected.
As we have previously noted in our consultation response on the provisions of the Education Bill, more clarity would be helpful to the sector around the definition of ‘ELC funded partners’ and the role of HM Inspectors in the inspection of funded ELC, in particular within the role of funded childminders.
The Scottish Government has outlined their commitment to the further expansion of funded ELC places. This will include more funding for eligible children aged one and two years old and may involve a wider range of services to meet this policy commitment.
We note that under section 31 of the Education (Scotland) Bill as introduced, a “relevant educational establishment” includes schools and other places where school education is provided (such as prisons and secure care), school accommodation, further education establishments such as colleges, and higher education institutions providing teacher training.
The Care Inspectorate is currently finalising a Shared Inspection Framework for ELC services with Education Scotland and are committed to working collaboratively with HMCIE/Education Scotland.
As we have previously noted in our consultation response on the provisions of the Education Bill, more clarity would be helpful to the sector around the definition of ‘ELC funded partners’ and the role of HM Inspectors in the inspection of funded ELC, in particular within the role of funded childminders.
The Scottish Government has outlined their commitment to the further expansion of funded ELC places. This will include more funding for eligible children aged one and two years old and may involve a wider range of services to meet this policy commitment.
We note that under section 31 of the Education (Scotland) Bill as introduced, a “relevant educational establishment” includes schools and other places where school education is provided (such as prisons and secure care), school accommodation, further education establishments such as colleges, and higher education institutions providing teacher training.
The Care Inspectorate is currently finalising a Shared Inspection Framework for ELC services with Education Scotland and are committed to working collaboratively with HMCIE/Education Scotland.
2. What are you views on the reporting requirements set out in the Bill, including the requirement to report on the performance of the Scottish education system?
Please provide your response in the box provided.
N/A
3. Are there any powers HM Chief Inspector should have that are not set out in the Bill?
Please provide your response in the box provided.
N/A
Further comments
1. In your view, what should the outcomes of the Bill be?
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N/A
2. Do you have any other comments on the Bill?
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We note that the Education (Scotland) Bill as introduced amends the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 to insert His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland as a listed public body with a duty of co-operation. The Care Inspectorate is also a listed public body as a scrutiny authority with a duty of co-operation, and as we understand this proposal we would have a duty to co-operate and co-ordinate activity with the new Chief Inspector to improve scrutiny functions in relation to local authorities, social services, health services and policing.
We would welcome clarity on this aspect of the Bill and, the impact on roles and responsibilities.
We would welcome clarity on this aspect of the Bill and, the impact on roles and responsibilities.