10B Inspection.

1

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in England—

a

shall advise the Secretary of State on request about matters relating to services provided in England in pursuance of section 8 or 9,

b

may give the Secretary of State other advice about those matters,

c

shall, when requested to do so by the Secretary of State, inspect and report on the provision of those services by any person or institution, and

d

may undertake such other inspections of the provision of those services by persons or institutions as he thinks fit.

2

A request under subsection (1)(c)—

a

may be general or in relation to specific matters,

b

may relate to a specific person or institution providing services, or to a specific class of person or institution, and

c

may relate to a specific area.

3

An inspection under subsection (1)(c) or (d) may not relate to services provided for persons who have attained the age of 20.

4

A reference in subsection (1) to the provision of services includes a reference to the management and use of resources in providing services.

5

Subsections (6) to (8) apply to an inspection under subsection (1)(c) or (d) of services provided in pursuance of arrangements under section 10(1) of this Act.

6

A person carrying out or participating in the inspection shall have the same powers as an Inspector of Schools under the following provisions of the School Inspections Act 1996—

a

section 3(3)(a) and (b) (right of access), and

b

section 42 (computer records).

7

Section 42A of the 1996 Act (publication of reports) shall apply.

8

A person who wilfully obstructs a person in carrying out or participating in the inspection—

a

shall be guilty of an offence, and

b

shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.