The broad vision of the first Strategic Programme 2001-2004 (1.76MB - pdf help) was to ensure that vulnerable people in Devon had an improved quality of life and that their independence, inclusion and life chances were fully promoted. The document was designed as an internal management tool but was also shared with partner organisations because many of its objectives could only be achieved via joint collaboration. This new version updates the first Programme extending it to 31 March 2008. At its core are Devon County Council’s values, goals and priorities (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Devon County Council’s Values, Goals and Priorities

The Council’s values are integral to the way the Directorate conducts business with users, carers, staff, partners and all stakeholders (as demonstrated in Figure 2). The goal of promoting a healthy and caring Devon has the greatest impact on the Directorate’s work, but the Strategic Programme also makes a vital contribution to the achievement of each of the Council’s six other goals (this is illustrated in Figure 3). The priority issues in the Council’s Strategic Plan¹ are fundamental to the whole Social Services Strategic Programme and are particularly evident in Part 3: User and Carer Services.

This updated Programme is fully aligned with the Government’s national priorities for 2003-2006 and a summary of the national targets and performance indicators for Social Services can be found in Appendix 3. The main body of the Programme provides:

• An analysis of the environment within which Social Services will operate over the next four years (Part 1).
• A summary of the Directorate’s revised commitments, aims and objectives and a description of how its systems of partnership, planning and performance management are developing (Part 2).
• An overview of:
  
  
• Progress over the last three years on each original Strategic Programme objective,
• Short term actions required to improve performance further in 2004/05; and
• Medium term strategies to modernise and support service development; 2004-2008 (Part 3 and 4).

Real progress in the transformation of social care requires a continuous discourse between all stakeholders. We welcome any observations on this refreshed Strategic Programme and look forward to engaging with you as it evolves further over the next four years.

Director of Social Services - Mr David Johnstone

Portfolio Holder (Adults) - Councillor John Clatworthy

Portfolio Holder (Children) - Councillor John Smith

¹ It is recommended that the Devon County Council Strategic Plan 2003-2008 is read alongside this document

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