Migration Observatory guest Madeleine Sumption and BBC Verify guest Nick Eardley join Adam to discuss whether the government has cleared the backlog of older asylum cases. They analyze the numbers, question the definition of the backlog, and highlight the progress made and remaining uncertainties. They also delve into the complexities of immigration and migration issues, emphasizing the need to understand specific groups and systems involved. Additionally, they cover the new boss of Ofsted being interviewed and a head teacher sharing his experience with school inspections.
The government claims to have cleared the backlog of legacy asylum cases, but doubts exist regarding the definition of the backlog and the validity of the chosen cut-off date.
OFSTED is introducing external advice and mental health training for inspectors to address concerns about the mental health impacts of inspections, marking a shift towards greater empathy and support within the inspection system.
Deep dives
Government Claims to Have Cleared Asylum Backlog
The government claims to have met its target to deal with the backlog of legacy asylum claims. The legacy backlog refers to asylum applications made before June 22, 2022. However, there are doubts about the government's definition of the backlog and the validity of the chosen cut-off date. Critics argue that the concept of a legacy backlog is arbitrary and doesn't make sense. The government's promise to clear the backlog by the end of 2023 has not been fully achieved, as there are still around 4,500 cases remaining, which are considered part of the legacy backlog. Furthermore, there are concerns about the number of withdrawn cases, which can be due to various reasons and may still require further attention. While progress has been made, with over 50,000 applications being granted, the total backlog of asylum cases remains high, with nearly 99,000 applications still awaiting a decision.
New Boss of OFSTED and Concerns about Inspections
Sir Martin Oliver, the new boss of OFSTED, has a background as a former head teacher and has run a multi-academy trust. He approaches the role with a tough stance, including a relatively high rate of suspensions. However, there have been widespread concerns about the consistency and fairness of inspections, as well as their potential impact on the mental health of head teachers. Recognizing these concerns, OFSTED has announced that they will provide training for inspectors to increase their understanding of the potential mental health impacts of inspections on school staff. This training will be provided by external advisors, such as Mental Health First Aid England. While these efforts have been welcomed, there are limitations to what the new OFSTED boss can do, as the power to make decisions on inspection processes lies with the Education Secretary. The debate around the use of one-word judgments for schools also continues, with questions being raised about their fairness and how they can be interpreted in the context of different aspects of a school's performance.
Experiences of a Head Teacher and the Impact of Inspections
Calvin Henry, a head teacher, shares his personal experience of an OFSTED inspection that resulted in his school being judged inadequate. The inspection process had a profound impact on his mental health, including feelings of distress and anxiety. Calvin emphasizes the importance of a more empathetic and compassionate approach from inspectors, including understanding the context and challenges faced by school leaders. He highlights that the focus should be on helping schools improve rather than making snap judgments. Calvin's story also underscores the need for the education system to address the fairness and consistency of inspections, as well as the high stakes and consequences for headteachers, including potential career-ending outcomes.
Changes in OFSTED Leadership and Mental Health Training
Sir Martin Oliver, the new boss of OFSTED, brings a different perspective to the role as a former head teacher, aiming to rebuild trust and listen to the concerns of school leaders. In response to the concerns raised about the mental health impacts of inspections, OFSTED is introducing external advice and mental health training for inspectors to better understand and mitigate the potential harm caused. The training will be ongoing and will focus on the mental health of headteachers and teachers. This marks a significant shift in acknowledging the need for greater empathy and support within the inspection system. However, OFSTED still faces challenges in addressing the wider issues of consistency, fairness, and the judgment system used in inspections, as these decisions are not within the control of the new OFSTED boss.
Today, we look at the government’s claim that it has cleared the backlog of older asylum cases.
The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has said that “every single” legacy application has been processed, meeting one of Sunak’s pledges, but is that the case? To delve into the numbers, Adam is joined by Madeleine Sumption from The Migration Observatory, and Nick Eardley from BBC Verify.
And, after criticism following the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry, Ofsted announced that inspectors will receive training around mental health at the start of this new term. Adam speaks to headteacher Calvin Henry and education editor Branwen Jeffreys about what the changes at Ofsted mean for education.
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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Ricardo Mccarthy. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.
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