An audit into the service provided to separated migrant children living in Hertfordshire has been deferred by the local authority, as it dealt with an Ofsted inspection.

The detail emerged during an annual report into Herts County Council's shared internal audit service (SIAS), which was presented to members of the audit committee in July .

The document stated that SIAS had been informed of an upcoming Ofsted inspection being due in quarters one or two of the financial year, at the same time the audit into separated migrant children was scheduled.

It went on: "Given the significant staff resources this would involve, we have agreed to defer this audit, with the director confirming that they are not aware of any material issues within this area."

Darren Williams, head of shared internal audit service at Hertfordshire County Council, summarised the rest of the annual report's findings to committee members.

He said: "This report provides a summary of the council's internal audit plan, giving an update on our position as of July 3.

"We provide the outcomes of eight audits and five account certifications or funding certifications completed since the last meeting of the committee.

"I think it's important to highlight to the audit committee that we're pleased to report that the annual SFVS (School's Financial Value Standard) self-assessment process was completed at the end of May.

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"All maintained schools need to send in a completed self-assessment, and we're able to report that 100% of the maintained schools for Hertfordshire submitted a completed SFVS return."

Mr Williams pointed out that two of the audits, for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) home care and expenditure on marketing and advertising, were classed as limited assurance audits.

Mr William requested that the wording of the draft internal audit charter for the county council be amended after questions were raised at another partner's audit committee.

He said: "We did note that [a paragraph] of the charter gives a slightly misleading view of the committee's responsibility. Currently the charter incorrectly says that the committee is responsible for the effectiveness of the governance, risk and control environment within the council.

"This is naturally not the case; the committee is performing an oversight role and a challenge role, so therefore we propose to change the wording to 'The audit committee is a key element of the council's governance framework, providing oversight and challenge on the adequacy and effectiveness of the council's risk management, internal control and governance arrangements'."

Members made no comment on the report or the recommended changes to the charter.