Inspections of child protection services in England are to be unannounced, more intensive and child-focused, the inspecting body Ofsted has announced.

Under the plans, inspectors will speak directly to children and their families for the first time.

Inspectors will also look at how social work departments communicate with other bodies such as the police and schools.

The new system follows last year's independent review of child protection.

A key recommendation was to cut red tape and to put children and their families at the centre of the system.

Ofsted’s new inspection framework for child protection services will allow inspectors to spend the majority of the inspection period talking to children and their families about their experiences.

Inspectors will also shadow social workers, inspect case files, look at examples of good practice and observe how effectively they work with outside bodies such as the police, charities, schools and hospitals.

I think this is a critical difference in working relationship.

This ensures that inspectors are able to judge the impact that professionals working in child protection are making a real difference to help children and protect them from harm.

A welcome change.

Coun Salim Mulla, Blackburn.