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rotherham, child abuse, parliament, exploitation

Committee takes evidence from former Ofsted officials and Louise Casey

23 February 2015

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The Communities and Local Government Committee holds its fourth and fifth sessions for its inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, taking evidence from former senior officials at Ofsted and from Louise Casey.

Witnesses

Next session

Monday 23 February 2015, Boothroyd room, Portculllis House

At 4.15pm

  • Louise Casey CB, Director General - Troubled Families, Department for Communities and Local Government

Previous session

Tuesday 10 February 2015, Wilson room, Portcullis House

At 10.40am

  • John Goldup, Former Deputy Chief Inspector and National Director of Social Care, Ofsted (in post October 2009 – March 2013)
  • Michael Hart, Former Director, Children, Ofsted (in post April 2007 – February 2009)

Background

This inquiry was launched in September 2014 following the publication of the report by Professor Alexis Jay into sexual exploitation of children in Rotherham. The Committee published its initial conclusions on a number of issues relating to local government in its Third Report of Session 2014-15, 'Child sexual exploitation in Rotherham: some issues for local government', on 18 November 2014.

In its report the Committee considered that Professor Jay's findings gave rise to serious questions about the responsibilities of Ofsted in relation to the inspection of children's services at Rotherham Council and indicated its intention to take evidence from Ofsted on the organisation's record in reviewing these services. Having taken evidence on 20 January 2015 from Debbie Jones, Ofsted's current Director of Social Care, the Committee will take further evidence from Mrs Jones's predecessors in its fourth session on Tuesday 10 February at 10.40am.

The Committee will take evidence from Ms Casey on her Report of inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, published on 4 February 2015. Following the publication of the Jay Report, Ms Casey was asked by the Secretary of State to conduct an independent investigation into children’s services at Rotherham Council.

Further information