Archived decisions

Contact: Michael Lee or Carole Bennett, (01962) 845057: [email protected]

1. Summary:

1.1 That the Director of Adult Services is asked to ensure that the future direction of travel for the Department should take into consideration the outcomes of the annual inspection of Adult Services.

2. Reason

2.1 This report supports the corporate strategy in areas of `Hampshire safer and more secure for all' and Maximising well-being'. It does so by reporting on the external assessment of the department which confirms it is serving most people well and has promising prospects for improvement.

3. Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 None applicable.

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable.

Approved by: ........................................... Date: ................

Councillor Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Adult Social Care

Contact: Michael Lee or Carole Bennett, (01962) 845057 email: [email protected]

1. Summary:

1.1 I am pleased to inform you of the 2006 performance star rating and judgement for the department. This rating will contribute the 'adults' judgement to the Council's overall Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) rating to be announced by the Audit Commission in February 2007.

1.2 On 30 November, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) announced the judgement and rating for Hampshire County Council Adult Services is:

i) Social Care Services for adults
Serving `most' people well with `promising' capacity for improvement.

ii) Adult Social Care Star Rating
Our social services performance rating is `2' stars.

1.3 This is a considerable achievement by all staff of the department, elected members and our partners who help to deliver a range of social services to vulnerable Hampshire residents.

1.4 Attached as appendix 1 are our Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) performance indicator results for 2005-06. Performance against these 30 indicators make a significant contribution to our star rating. The department has performed at a `very good' (the highest) or `good' level on 16 of the indicators and `acceptably' against 11 indicators. Performance against 3 indicators is questionable. These relate to the unit cost of care, which is known to be more expensive in the SE of England; and the ethnicity of older people receiving a needs assessment. The department is taking action to improve on both of these areas. CSCI have confirmed we have consolidated last years' performance and made some steady improvement.

1.5 This report supports the corporate strategy in areas of `Hampshire safer and more secure for all' and Maximising well-being'. It does so by reporting on the external assessment of the department which confirms it is serving most people well and has promising prospects for improvement.

2. Summary Improvements

2.1 In announcing the judgement and rating, the Commission for Social Care Inspection also produce our Record of Performance Assessment (ROPA) 2005-06. This provides the basis of CSCI's judgements about our performance and trajectory for improvement. The ROPA states:

2.2 There has continued to be strong leadership from Councillor, Chief Executive, Director, and Senior Manager levels.

2.3 The council's strong partnership arrangements and its effective public and user participation processes have enabled continued service development that is in-line with national priorities and local need.

2.4 Overall, the county council has consolidated its performance and made some steady improvement.

2.5 Individuals' independence, and choice continues to be promoted through the modernisation of services and the increased range of provision.

2.6 An increased number of people has been able to take up direct payments. The county council's performance to achieve this outcome for users was well above the performance average for the group of comparator councils.

3. Summary of Areas for Improvement

3.1 Delayed transfers of care have been variable and need close monitoring and control. The combined arrangements of the NHS and the county council in 2005/06 have resulted overall in outcomes for users that were not as good as for the average for comparator council areas.

3.2 The implementation of the financial recovery plan will require close attention. Ensuring that service costs are at an appropriate level needs to be part of this work.

3.3 Further work is necessary to ensure that all vulnerable people including carers and those from black or minority ethnic groups have fair access to appropriate services across Hampshire.

3.4 As well as focusing on year-on-year improvement, the county council needs to continue to work at keeping up with or exceeding the pace of improvement in other councils.

3.5 The areas of improvement will be recognised as those where we are already focussing attention during 2006-07; and longer term action to ensure progress is sustained is being incorporated into the department's service and business plan 2007-08.

Recommendations

1. That the Director of Adult Services is asked to ensure that the future direction of travel for the Department should take into consideration the outcomes of the annual inspection of Adult Services

APPENDIX 1

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

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

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works: Council of Social Care Inspection Record of Performance Assessment for Adult Social Care 2005-06 for Hampshire

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act. None