Devon County Council

Key policy developments since 2001 have included:

• Publication of practice and policy guidance in relation to the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, published in 2002.
• Carers' Grant extended to include services to carers in addition to short-term breaks.
• Department of Health guide, "How Good is Your Service to Carers", published to enable quality standards for local carer support services to be checked.
• NHS CHOICE consultation exercise conducted and being implemented.

Nationally, there is a continuing focus on promoting a performance and quality culture. Particular emphasis is given to positive outcomes for users. It is therefore vital to provide evidence of user and carer involvement in all aspects of our work. This includes joint developments through the Partnership Boards and the NHS through Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service (PALS), Primary Care, and with the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement.

Access, in its broadest sense, has become central to the e-government initiative as its implementation has progressed. Public Access and Information Management and Technology Strategies are developing to create new ways for the public to interact with the County Council. Key issues include improving public access through call centres, development of a Single Assessment Process (SAP) between public sector organisations and increasing use of information technology to provide information and speedy transactions with citizens.

The Government lead agency for the Care Direct Project has changed from the Department of Health to the Department for Work & Pensions. This creates new opportunities for Social Services and other agencies to develop more convenient access to services for users and carers. Care Direct is also developing into a broader "Third Age Service" for people over 50.

An Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Social Exclusion Report "Making the Connections", now requires local authorities to carry out ‘accessibility planning' and work closely with other partners, to improve access to services to reduce social exclusion.

There is continued extension of Direct Payments to the parents of disabled children, older people and people with disabilities to increase access, convenience, choice and control.

There is a new prevention strategy for all adult groups with a similar strategy required for children. The recent Children's Bill makes radical proposals for the future development of children at risk services and the way in which accountability will be exercised. The Climbie' Audit process now requires local authorities to ensure statutory obligations are met and children are safeguarded.

A Domestic Violence Partnership has been set up in the last 18 months. Key changes include the development of:

Outreach support for women and men vulnerable to domestic violence;

A two-day accredited training course for childcare practitioners;

A community perpetrator programme in North Devon;

An Area Child Protection Committee policy on responses to children in households where domestic violence occurs (as reported by the Police.)

Since 2002, Adult Protection policy and guidance is now overseen by a multi-agency Adult Protection Committee. This provides a consultation and advice service. Over 1,000 staff from Social Services, NHS, the Police and the Independent Sector have received foundation training; 30 staff from Social Services and Devon Partnership Trust have had Investigators Training.

Implementation of Fair Access to Care and Supporting People initiatives have commenced.

There are new national targets and expectations to:

• Promote avoidance of emergency admissions
• Increase numbers of people being cared for in extra care housing
• Deliver Community Equipment Services within seven days (by December 2004)
• Increase those supported intensively to live at home to 30% of the total being supported by Social Services (at home or in residential care (by March 2006)
• Develop a multi-agency best value approach to housing for older and disabled people