The Children Act 2004 requires a Joint Area Review (JAR) to be conducted at the request of the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in accordance with arrangements made by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. This system wide inspection covers all publicly funded services for children and young people, including those that are directly managed or commissioned by the Council, as well as services provided by Health and Youth Justice services. The JAR also covers the leadership and management of services for children and young people and, in particular, the way that services work together to improve outcomes.

 

The JAR will evaluate and report on the outcomes for children and young people in Leicester. It assesses and judges the contributions made by public services to sustaining and improving outcomes for local children and young people.

 

The review incorporates the inspection of youth services and replaces the separate inspections of local education authorities, local authority social services departments, Connexions Services and the provision for students aged 14 - 19.

 

Leicester will had its first JAR during the weeks that commenced Monday 28^th January and 4^th February 2008.