Contact: Alison Warburton, Strategic Service Manager ext 5358

1.0 Summary

The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) carried out an inspection of older people's services in Hampshire as part of their ongoing programme of inspections.

The inspection process consisted of the following three elements:-

· A position statement

· An evaluation of key departmental documents (eg. Strategies, policies etc)

· Ten days of fieldwork within the New Forest and Havant/Petersfield geographical areas. The fieldwork process took place from 4^th to 15^th February inclusive.

The inspection team comprised two SSI inspectors; Bob Chidgey (lead) and Christine Owens. A lay assessor, Anne Linnington completed the team

The team evaluated Hampshire's older persons against the six criteria which form the paragraph headings in the remainder of this report. The draft action plan attached identifies the recommendations made together with Hampshire's planned and existing actions in response.

It should be noted that the inspection took place midway through a period of major departmental restructuring. A number of the recommendations therefore correspond with areas of ongoing work already identified internally.

The full report of the inspection will be presented by the lead inspector at the executive meeting on 19^th July 2002.

The remainder of this report provides clarification of the activities identified to address recommendations made by the SSI.

2.0 National Priorities and Strategic Objectives

1.1 One of the objectives of the departmental restructuring process was to build upon our existing commitment to involve staff and representatives of other agencies in planning and delivery of services. The creation of the role of Partnership Managers has formalised linkages between the department and external organisations and a number of new forums such as bi-monthly meetings between County Managers and Partnership Managers ensure external and internal perspectives are fully integrated. The older people's conference has been designed by staff for staff and will focus upon developing mechanisms for maximising the effectiveness of communication within the sector.

1.2 The milestones of the National Service Framework with regard to future mental health services for older people are integrated within the draft commissioning strategy and, as such are a core element of future strategy.

2.3 Performance awareness is recognised as a crucial `plank' for effective service delivery and has formed a key part of the department's Investors in People action plan. In addition, the older people's sector have created a new post within their strategic team with an explicit performance focus. This post is currently being advertised and should be filled by the autumn.

3. Effectiveness of Service Delivery and Outcomes

3.1 The current market situation of significantly higher demand than supply limits our ability to influence the independent sector. However, the department maintains an ongoing dialogue with the independent sector through a variety of forums to maximise capacity within limited resources.

3.2 Every effort to respect the choice of individuals with regard to room sharing is made bearing in mind pressures of limited availability of places within existing resources. The departments cash for change plan demonstrates our commitment coupled with positive action in this respect.

3.3 An external evaluation of intermediate care schemes is currently taking place with a view to deploying the most effective approach across Hampshire.

4. Quality of Services for Users and Carers - Information and Care Management

4.1 A recent Best Value review of Care Management identified a number of recommendations which have been accepted by the Policy and Review Committee and will be implemented over the coming months.

4.2 Similarly, a range of actions to address separate assessments for carers has already been identified in the Best Value Review of Carers Services.

5. Fair Access

5.1 The department is committed to ensuring its services are responsive to the needs of all its potential users. The older people's sector Race Equalities Monitoring and Implementation Team (REMIT) has set objectives for improving the range of services for older people.

5.2 The draft `transitions policy' underlines our commitment to ensuring that people over the age of 65 are not discriminated against within residential care.

6. Cost and Efficiency

6.1 The inspection coincided with the development of the department's three year commissioning strategy for older people. This strategy spans the range of services purchased and provided in the sector.

6.2 The strategy is the product of major consultation including external partners.

6.3 The programme of Best Value reviews within the older persons sector aims to achieve a balance between quality and cost to inform commissioning decisions.

6.4 The Best Value report of residential care is scheduled for completion in September 2003 and was scoped to cover an extensive agenda last year. The impact of the National Care Standards Commission standards will be fully evaluated separately once the new standards have been finalised.

7. Management and Resources

7.1 The role of and relationship between strategic, operational and partnership managers post re-modelling is formally evaluated through bi-monthly meetings.

7.2 Administrative and support functions are similarly included in the above discussions.

7.3 The Departmental strategy for user and carer involvement is being reviewed. Recommendations for updating the strategy will be presented to the Departmental Management Team at the end of September 2002.

8. Conclusions

8.1 The SSI Inspection of older persons services has been a constructive and timely opportunity for the department to re-assess it's priorities in the context of it's new structure.

8.2 Many of the recommendations made are already being addressed through existing processes and new areas of work are being implemented where appropriate.