Joint Area Review (JAR) of Services for Children and Young People in Worcestershire

We are delighted to announce that the result of the Worcestershire Joint Area Review has been published by Ofsted.

Read all about it in the JAR newsletter.  (520.26 KB) The full report is available to download from the Ofsted website.

The Joint Area Review, or JAR, is an inspection of all children’s services within a local area. It is carried out by a team of inspectors from various central government agencies including the Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) and the Healthcare Commission (HCC).

The aim of the JAR inspection is to see how well partners are improving outcomes in the area and whether they are providing joined-up services for children, young people, their parents and carers.

The five Every Child Matters outcomes are key to this approach:

Be Healthy Stay Safe Enjoy and Achieve Make a Positive Contribution Achieve Economic Well-being

Worcestershire Children’s Services Authority JAR will take place during the weeks beginning 30 June 2008 and 7 July 2008. The JAR will inspect the range of services provided by the agencies and organisations in Worcestershire, most of whom are represented on the county's Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership (CYPSP). Preparation, planning and onsite inspection for the JAR will affect organisations that plan, commission and provide services for children and young people across the county.

The JAR will provide a picture of what it is like for children and young people living in Worcestershire. The inspectors will focus on how well we are improving outcomes for the most vulnerable children and young people including looked after children, children with learning disabilities/difficulties and children in need of protection from abuse.

The JAR is an extension of the County Council's Annual Performance Assessment (APA), which is carried out every year.