Ofsted and CQC Local Area SEND services inspection
December 2025
In December 2025, Ofsted and the CQC carried out a three‑week inspection. They then published a report on Walsall’s Local Area Partnership.
The report shows clear and positive progress. It says Walsall Council and the NHS Black Country ICB – SEND and Alternative Provision Partnership are working better to support children and young people with SEND and those in Alternative Provision.
Inspectors recognised significant development. They acknowledged the hard work and dedication of teams across the partnership. While the report outlines areas that still need to improve, it shows there's a strong foundation and real momentum for ongoing change.
The re-inspection assessed whether the Local Area had made enough progress.
The inspection team a held focus groups with key people involved in the delivery of the WSoA. They met with schools, parents, carers, children and young people to get their feedback. Seven out of the nine identified areas showed progress and improvement. An Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) was agreed with the Department for Education on 8 April 2022.
The inspection took place in February 2019. The Ofsted and CQC inspection identified nine areas of concern in the way that SEND services were being delivered in Walsall. The Local Area, which is a partnership across organisations, was instructed to develop and deliver a Written Statement of Action (WSoA).