Contact: Penny Velander, Policy and Performance Officer, ext 7479

This covering report is intended to provide an `at-a-glance' summary for Members and leads into the Outcome report which has been drafted by the core review team

1 Purpose of the service

1.1 The original scope of this review was set to focus on adults and older people with a sensory needs that leads them to require support through social care intervention. Administrative support for this service was also included.

1.2 During phase one the core team agreed to focus on those areas of the service where there was greatest potential for achieving improvements. This would avoid duplicating work that was already carried out through normal service planning

1.3 There is a statutory responsibility to assess the needs of anyone who may require a service under Section 47 of the NHS and Community Care Act 1989. In addition the legislative base for the service is under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, Section 4 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

2 Performance

2.1 During the review information gathered highlighted the variation in waiting times for users to obtain an assessment of their needs. This information formed the basis for the development of review outcomes and service improvements

2.2 The proposed outcomes for the review should provide a more standardised and consistent model of working across the county. This will allow staff to provide an improved service for clients and greater peer support in teams. In addition the new `First Focus' approach will provide early advice, assessment and intervention to promote independence

2.3 Further work is planned with stakeholders in the Autumn to feedback the results of the review and the improvement plan

3 Outcomes

3.1 The following issues were identified:

· The `whole systems approach' needs to be developed across agency boundaries and the role of rehabilitation in sensory services clarified

· Strategic direction and planning needs to be developed in support of greater consistency throughout the County

· Working relationships need to be improved with providers and all partners

· The profile of sensory services needs to be raised

· Meaningful involvement and consultation with users and carers needs to be achieved

3.2 At the Policy Review Committee on 14 March 2003 it was agreed that the following option be pursued for this review

`The Sensory Services Best Value review team develops and improvement plan based on Option one (restructuring existing staff resources), in conjunction with the two service improvements (a programme for staff training and development, and establish quarterly multi-agency networking groups)'

4 Members

4.1 The following members were nominated for involvement in this review, however none where involved in this phase:

· Cllr Steele

· Cllr Heath

· Cllr Randall

· Cllr Davies-Dear

Cllrs Frankum and Ludlow participated in the stakeholder event

5 Review details:

5.1 It was estimated that the direct costs of this review would be £7,150. The actual costs were £2,520

5.2 It was estimated that the review would take 150 officer days. In effect the review took 100 officer days to complete at a cost of £220 per day.

Recommendations:

1. The attached outcome report and improvement plan be agreed as representing the views of this Policy Review Committee

2. The Executive Member is advised of the outcome of the Best Value review so that she can implement the improvement plan

3. Arrangements are made for this committee to receive annual progress reports until the improvement plan is completed

4. A summary of the review is prepared in the standard format for inclusion in the Best Value Performance Plan.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

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

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