Growing through inspection: the social services inspection process

All residential establishments for children have to be inspected by social services, particularly in relation to the Children Act 1989. This article describes how the inspection process could be implemented to take account of the special needs of children with visual impairments. These needs affect the way in which policies are carried out. They also have an influence on which policies are critical to the effective management of an establishment. It is suggested that effective inspection requires an orientation for inspectors, with the most constructive inspections achieved through a partnership between inspectors and establishments.