Area SEND: framework and handbook

The first part of the document is the area inspection framework, which sets out the purposes and principles of inspection and its statutory basis, along with the inspection approach, model, frequency and timing.

The second part of the document is the inspection handbook. This handbook is primarily a guide for inspectors on how to carry out area inspections.

We ran a consultation on the framework and draft handbook in summer 2022.

In June 2025, we published a report on our findings during the first 2 years of inspecting local area partnerships under the current area inspection framework.

We also published the findings from a review of the framework that we did in 2025. It details the feedback we received from stakeholders about area inspections, and the actions that we will take in response.