30/11/2006 - Boost in social care says report

Government inspectors say adult social care services in Cumbria are continuing to improve.

In its latest report, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has re-awarded Cumbria County Council a one star rating but says prospects for further improvements are now ‘promising’.

Last year, the council was given a one star rating after two years of zero ratings but inspectors said capacity to make more improvements was ‘uncertain’.

The judgment means the county council has improved its adult social care services over the last twelve months.

During that time, the council has worked to help more people with physical and learning disabilities to live at home and provide older people with more choice in the services they receive. 

Councillor Oliver Pearson, cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care, said: “We are very pleased with the inspector's verdict that the changes introduced over the last twelve months are beginning to pay off for adults in Cumbria who need help and support to lead more independent lives.

“There is no complacency about the work still to do, and between now and the next inspection we will be seeking in particular to tackle the slow pace of change away more traditional models of care - something which has been highlighted as one of the area’s the council needs to improve upon.

Cumbria County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care Jill Stannard, said: “This report confirms we are heading in the right direction and is a great achievement for staff around the county who work day in and day out to provide help and support to adults.

“A great deal of work has been done but the pace of change needs to be increased if we are to provide the sort of choice in services that people increasingly expect to receive.”

ENDS

Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337

Notes for Editors

Embargoed interviews with councillor Oliver Pearson, cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care and Jill Stannard, Cumbria County Council's Director of Adult Social Care can be arranged through the council's media team.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection is a national independent agency reporting to Central Government

The CSCI publish their verdict on the council's overall performance once a year in the form of a star rating – three stars being the highest score. 

There are four "performance descriptors" to reflect whether adults are being served well: no, some, most and yes. Capacity for improvement are rated as poor, uncertain, promising or excellent. 

Cumbria County Council’s 2006 Performance Ratings for Adult Social Services have been judged one star; serving some people well with promising capacity to improve

The record of performance assesment for Cumbria County Counil's Adult Social Care department will be available online at www.csci.org.uk/council_star_ratings/councils_star_rating/default.htm on 30th November 2006.