24/02/04 - Social Care Services for Children and Families Evaluated

Today, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet received the Social Services Inspectorate report into social care services for children and families in Cumbria.  The Cabinet agreed to approve the action plan for improvement and delegate authority for the update and implementation of the plan to the Interim Corporate Director of Social Services.

The report highlights a number of short-comings and areas for development.  However, it acknowledges that a recently approved three-year improvement plan for the service addressed some of the current problems.  The report makes thirty-one recommendations for improvement against six National Framework standards.  The six standards are,

•     National Priorities and Strategic Objectives
•     Outcomes for service users and carers
•     Quality of service for service users and carers
•     Fair Access
•     Cost and Efficiency
•     Management and Resources

The Inspector recognised that there was considerable effort to improve services and extensive planning was evident, but for a number of reasons including problems in recruiting and retaining staff, the service improvements had not yet been achieved.  The report also highlights issues over management systems and information processes.  

Positive action has already been taken to implement the recommendations made by the Inspectors and a detailed plan of the action taken and planned for the future is already in place.  Stephen Wilds has been appointed to spearhead the improvement programme.  He took up his post on 3 February 2004.