Spending watchdog to examine role of Department for Education in child protection

The National Audit Office has launched a study into the role of the Department for Education in overseeing and improving the child protection system.

The watchdog said the study, which is scheduled for Autumn 2016, would include the reforms the DfE is leading.

The NAO will also examine how services are being delivered by local authorities and how good practice is being identified and shared.

According to the watchdog, in the year to March 2015, more than 630,000 children were referred to local authorities because of child protection concerns.

“Child protection is a key priority for government,” it said. “In the past few months, the Prime Minister has announced the setting up a Child Protection taskforce and the Department for Education has announced wider plans to reform children’s services, including taking a stronger intervention role when local authorities’ services are failing.”