Multi-agency inspections to examine response to neglect among younger children

Inspectors will examine how local agencies respond to younger children living with neglect as part of a new round of joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs) beginning in autumn 2026.

Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) have published guidance for the inspections, which will focus on unborn children and those aged between zero and 11.

The inspections will assess how children’s social care, police, probation and relevant health services work together when neglect is identified or suspected.

Inspectors will consider how agencies respond to concerns, assess and plan for children’s needs, make decisions about notifications and referrals, and protect, support and care for children experiencing neglect.

They will also examine what local areas are doing to prevent children from experiencing neglect in the first place.

Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director, Social Care, said previous inspection work had found that neglect could go undetected, with harm building gradually.

“Our previous work has shown that neglect can go unseen, with children left to suffer harm that builds gradually and is too often missed. In 2018, we published a report on older children living with neglect, which found that tackling the issue requires a coordinated strategic approach across all agencies.

“Given the particular concern from families, professionals and the public about the impact of neglect on our youngest children, it is the right time to turn our attention to this age group in our upcoming JTAI.”

Inspectors will also evaluate how local agencies work with education and early years providers, as well as voluntary and community organisations, to identify and respond to children living with neglect.

The inspections will assess the extent to which children’s family networks are involved and supported, including whether relatives and other family members are enabled to help protect children safely.

Kathryn Stone OBE, His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, said effective multi-agency working was essential to protecting children experiencing neglect.

“Children who experience neglect are often among the most vulnerable in our communities and protecting them requires agencies to work together effectively and consistently.

“This multi-agency inspection programme will allow us to better understand how local partners identify, respond to and support young children experiencing neglect. Together with CQC, HMIP and Ofsted we will assess how effectively the police are safeguarding children who experience neglect.”

The focus on younger children reflects concerns about the impact of neglect during the earliest stages of childhood, which can have profound and lasting consequences.

The inspections will include consideration of the role of probation services in safeguarding children, particularly where adults’ behaviour may affect children’s lives.

Chief Inspector of Probation Martin Jones said: “Probation services play an important role in assessing and managing risks posed by adults whose behaviour may affect children’s lives, sharing information with partners and contributing to safeguarding arrangements. These inspections will provide valuable insight into how effectively local agencies are working together to recognise and respond to neglect, helping to ensure that younger children receive the protection and support they need at the earliest opportunity.”

The JTAIs are intended to provide a shared assessment of how agencies in a local area work together, rather than examining individual services in isolation.

The new inspections will begin in autumn 2026, with inspectors assessing local multi-agency responses to children at risk of, or already living with, neglect.