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A single inspection watchdog for children, young people and adult learners was confirmed today by education secretary Ruth Kelly.

A single organisation will be created by bringing together into Ofsted the children’s social care remit of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Cafcass inspection remit of her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Court Administration and the inspection remit of the Adult Learning Inspectorate.

The plans were announced by chancellor Gordon Brown in March 2005 and a consultation was held this summer.

Kelly said: “It will be able to follow learning from early years right through to adult and work-based settings, and to understand and support the needs of employers and business whilst at the same time sustaining focussed, high-quality inspections of standards in our schools and across wider services for children.”

The current chair of the Adult Learning Inspectorate Richard Handover has agreed to head a Strategy Board to oversee the transition.

The creation of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills forms part of the government’s wider public services inspection strategy.