News story

Ofsted launches point-in-time surveys

Ofsted has sent surveys to social care providers to find out about the experiences of the children, parents, staff and professionals involved.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 10 February 2020
• Last updated: 5 February 2024 — See all updates

Ofsted has today (Monday 5 February) issued its annual point-in-time online surveys for the following social care providers:

• residential special schools
• further education colleges with residential provision
• children’s homes (includes secure children’s homes and residential special schools registered as children’s homes)
• fostering agencies (includes independent fostering agencies and local authority fostering agencies)
• adoption agencies (includes voluntary adoption agencies, regional adoption agencies and local authority adoption agencies)
• adoption support agencies
• residential family centres
• boarding schools
• supported accommodation

We highly value the responses we receive. They help to both inform future inspections and build a national picture of people’s experiences with their respective providers. We have a blog post explaining how we use the responses.

All surveys will close on 24 March 2024.

Social care providers

Ofsted has sent online survey links to all relevant registered managers and responsible individuals or nominated persons.

Read our guidance for providers for more information.

How to complete the survey

Ask your school, college, agency or centre for a link to the survey. Alternatively, if you want to give your views, you can call Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or email socialcarepitsurvey@ofsted.gov.uk.

Published 10 February 2020
Last updated 5 February 2024 + show all updates

1. 5 February 2024

   We have launched our annual point in time surveys for 2024: children, parents, staff and professionals can have their say until 24 March.

2. 6 February 2023

   We have launched our annual point in time surveys for 2023: children, parents, staff and professionals can have their say until 26 March.

3. 7 February 2022

   Ofsted has launched our annual point in time surveys for 2022: children, parents, staff and professionals can have their say until 20 March.

4. 1 February 2021

   Ofsted has launched our annual point in time surveys for 2021 - children, parents, staff and professionals can have their say until 28 March.

5. 10 February 2020

   First published.