Contact: John Clifton, ext 7283 or Barbara Sorkin, ext 5985

1 Summary

1.1 The Annual Review Letter from the Social Services Inspectorate and the accompanying report of the Director of Social Services is drawn to the attention of the Policy Review Committee, as recommended by the Executive Member for Social Services at her Decision Day on 17th May.

1.2 The Executive Member asks the Policy Review Committee to consider the Annual Review Letter, together with the accompanying report, and to make any policy recommendations to her.

1.3 Subsequent to this report, Hampshire Social Services has been classified as a two star authority by the Social Services Inspectorate. This report briefly explains how the star rating system works, and is another part of the Performance Assessment Framework within which Social Services operates.

2 Star ratings

2.1 For the first time, social services departments have been measured on their performance and prospects for improvement under an annual Department of Health star rating system. Every department has been given a rating between zero and three stars, where three is the best.

2.2 A wide range of performance information has been used to compile the star ratings. This included inspections and performance indicators, covering both adults and children's services, in conjunction with the annual review meeting (on which the annual review letter is based).

2.3 A two star rating was awarded to the Department; with children and family services being found to serve most people well and have promising prospects, whilst adult services served some people well and had promising prospects. The categories available are:

Serves '.........' people well	Prospects
no	Poor
some	Uncertain
most	Promising
yes	Excellent

2.4 Nationwide 8 authorities were awarded three stars, 50 received two stars, 82 received one star and 10 received none. This effectively puts Hampshire amongst the better performing authorities.

3 Annual Review Letter

3.1 A copy of the report to the Executive decision day on the 17th May is attached as Appendix 1

Recommendation

· The Policy Review Committee will make any policy recommendations resulting from the SSI Annual Review Letter, to the Executive Member for Social services

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The Following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt of confidential information as defined in the Act.

None