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Changes to the annual performance assessment (APA) for children's services have been announced by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Ofsted.

The bodies said they would ensure procedures such as moderation were carried out jointly to make the process more efficient, and also pledged to create a single helpline for queries.

The plans have been developed in response to feedback from councils about the first round of the assessments.

Almost two-thirds of the 65 councils that replied to an Ofsted survey said the APA had a good or excellent impact on their services.


The APA contributes the children's social care component of the overall social care star ratings awarded to councils by the CSCI. Almost one-third of councils appealed against their star ratings this year but most were rejected.

From www.ofsted.gov.uk