From 1 April 2009 a new system of assessment and inspection will be introduced, the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). CAA will cover priority outcomes in local areas delivered by local authorities, either by themselves or with other service providers. As part of CAA there will continue to be a scheduled programme of inspections for services for vulnerable children (looked-after children and safeguarding) and for youth offending, led by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation respectively.
Other inspections under CAA will be primarily triggered by risk, and carried out by the relevant independent local services inspectorates, either individually or jointly. The inspectorates involved in carrying out CAA and associated inspections will be the Audit Commission, the new Care Quality Commission, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation, and Ofsted.
The inspectorates are aiming to publish the final framework for the operation of CAA shortly.
All audits of local authorities will continue to be carried out by external auditors appointed by the Audit Commission.