A new round of joint inspections will examine how local services work together to identify and support younger children who are at risk of, or living with, neglect.
From autumn 2026, Joint Targeted Area Inspections (JTAIs) will focus on unborn children and children aged 0 to 11, looking at how agencies respond when concerns about neglect are identified and how effectively children and families receive support.
The inspections will be carried out jointly by 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).
Inspectors will consider how children’s social care, police, probation and health services work together to assess concerns, make decisions, protect children and prevent neglect. They will also examine how agencies work with education and early years providers and the voluntary and community sector to identify and respond to children who may be experiencing neglect.
The inspections will also consider how effectively family networks are involved and supported to help keep children safe.
Ofsted says the focus reflects the potentially serious and long-lasting impact neglect can have during the earliest years of a child’s life.
Read the full announcement and inspection guidance:
GOV.UK – Younger children living with neglect to be focus of joint targeted area inspections
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