Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, November 27, 2008

The Government watchdog, the Commission for Social Care Inspection, has announced the performance ratings for authorities that provide social services to adults across the south west.

Devon County Council retains its two star rating, demonstrating that it is 'good' at delivering outcomes, and shows 'promising' capacity to improve services further.

In their report, CSCI commend the council for its work over the last 12 months. Notably they pick out highlights including:

The 'numbers of people funded by the council to receive intermediate care in residential and non-residential settings to avoid hospital admission.'

'Relatively few people are delayed unnecessarily in hospital in Devon and only a small minority of these are attributable to Adult Social Care.'

'A good number of people with learning disabilities are helped to live at home and receiving community based services.'

'The council and its partners have consulted widely on a modernisation strategy for older peoples services'; and 'User involvement in consultation has improved considerably.'

'All assessments of people's needs now start within 48 hours of first contact'; and that 'Devon is better than many councils in delivering services to people quickly following assessments.'

'Large numbers of people in Devon are successfully helped to maximise their incomes from benefits, tax and pension credits.'

'Spending on advocacy for people with learning disabilities is higher in Devon than most other councils.'

'Over 250 people with learning disabilities were helped into paid work, with others involved in voluntary work and work experience schemes.'

'Arrangements to support people with disabilities into employment, education or volunteering in Devon have continued to develop.'

Support that the Council gives to Carers is also highlighted:

'Carers in Devon are able to directly access services through a sitting/breaks voucher scheme.'

'Carers have been involved in a review of carers' assessments, to improve the process and the potential outcomes'.

'A Devon Carers Link network has been established to provide information, signposting and support to newly identified carers.'

'Arrangements have been improved to help carers remain in employment and/or avoid the need to change/reduce their working hours.'

'Devon is responding to messages from carers who want easier access, more flexibility and more timely services to support their needs.'

But the Executive Director of the Council's Adult and Community Services, David Johnstone, has said that although the Council has showed real progress and improvement in many areas, there is still more services that he wants to improve further.

CSCI highlight specific areas that the Council can develop further. While they acknowledge improvement in some areas, CSCI comment that improvement is slower compared to some other councils, or to Devon's previous improvement rates:

'While waiting times for major adaptations in Devon have improved a little, people wait much longer than in comparator councils.'

'While the level of direct payments in Devon remains good, the increase is at a much slower rate in 2007/8 and many other councils.'

'While the number of safeguarding referrals and investigations completed increased, rates are still much lower in Devon than comparator councils.'

Councillor Hugo Barton, Devon County Council's Executive Member for Adult and Community Services, said:

"We welcome CSCI's assessment of our services, and are pleased that they have acknowledged a lot of our hard work to improve services over the last 12 months; especially the changes we have made to make it easier and quicker for people to access social care.

"We also welcome their comments concerning areas for further development - much of which is already on our radar and have plans in hand to address them in our modernisation programme.

"Overall, I believe this is a fair record of progress to date and proof that we are moving in the right direction to improve social care across Devon.

"Thanks are due to all our hard working and dedicated staff.

"If I were to admit any disappointment, it would be that our hard work has not yet placed us within the highest ranking councils although I am confident that that goal will be met in the near future."

Executive Director David Johnstone, said:

"I would like to credit all our staff who have worked so hard to maintain our performance rating while bringing about a great deal of change in services, such as our integration with the health service, which will serve Devon residents so well in the future."

Cornwall, Dorset and Plymouth retain their single stars; Torbay keeps its two stars; and Somerset holds on to its three star rating.

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS

This is the final year of the 'star ratings' for adult social care. The ratings summarise CSCI's independent judgements of performance on a scale of zero to three stars. The focus of the ratings is on the quality of outcomes for services provided and their assessment and judgements about the leadership and commissioning and use of resources for adult social care. The ratings are based on a continuous, rigorous and structures assessment process and is underpinned by evidence including that from people who uses services directly.

The number of councils across the country with each star rating now is: 19 (13%) with one star; 75 (50%) with two stars; and 56 (37%) with three stars.

Overall, 40% of the population is now served by three-star councils; 46% by two-star councils' and 15% by one-star councils. No councils have a zero star rating.

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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