Return to school: Council chiefs confident vulnerable children have been protected during lockdown ahead of new Ofsted visits

From next month, the Government inspectorate will restart its checks of local authority provision into at-risk youngsters.

It will examine how councils have supported them, amid fears some have fallen off the protection radar nationally.

Borough education leaders say they responded proactively to coronavirus lockdown and school closure challenges in March – with extra services readily signposted.

A spokeswoman said: "We recognise that lockdown was particularly challenging for vulnerable children.

“For that reason both the council and our schools were proactive in encouraging and monitoring their attendance at school as a matter of priority.

“Schools remained open for vulnerable children and key worker families and the majority were open during traditional school holiday dates.

“The council made sure schools had access to the latest government and public health guidance.

“Regular virtual meetings allowed school leaders to raise issues, discuss practicalities and share best practice.”

She added: “Families of vulnerable children were signposted to additional services such as emotional and mental health support or charity organisations such as food banks.

“We recognise the role Ofsted plays in evaluating the effectiveness of provision for children and young people.

“We would hope that the support provided for vulnerable children and young people in South Tyneside schools would be acknowledged by any visiting inspectorate.”

Ofsted's visits aim to provide assurances that children are getting the help, care and protection they need.

It will not give a graded judgement, but inspectors can use enforcement powers where they have serious concerns.

They will look at the experiences of children and how councils and providers have made the best possible decisions during the pandemic.

Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s national director for regulation and social care, admitted: “The normal lines of sight to our most vulnerable children haven’t been in place in recent months.

“It’s vital that we get back into local authorities and other social care providers to look at how children are being cared for and protected.”

Full school inspections are not expected to restart until January at the earliest.

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