Devon County Council

Parts 3 and 4 of this Programme identify specific areas of achievement against our Strategic Programme since 2001. The Social Services Inspectorate¹ judges the Directorate on an annual basis on how well it is accomplishing its aims and national priorities. This results in the publication of a performance (star) rating. The following are the current standards used by the Inspectorate as part of this judgement:

Standards

Standard 1: National priorities and strategic objectives

The Council is working corporately and with partners to deliver national priorities and objectives for social care, relevant National Service Frameworks and their own local strategic objectives to serve the needs of diverse communities.

Standard 2: Cost and efficiency

Social Services commission and deliver services to clear standards, covering both quality and costs, by the most effective, economic and efficient means available.

Standard 3: Effectiveness of service delivery and outcomes

Services promote independence, protect from harm, and support people to make the most of their capacity and potential and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Standard 4: Quality of services for users and carers

Service users, their families and other supporters, benefit from convenient and good quality services, which are responsive to individual needs and preferences.

Standard 5: Fair access

Social Services act fairly and consistently in allocating services and applying charges.

Standard 6: Capacity for improvement

The Council has corporate arrangements and capacity to achieve consistent, sustainable and effective improvement in Social Services.

Trends in Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) indicators 2001/2 to 2002/3

In 2001/2 84% of PAF indicators fell into the top Bands 3-5. In 2002/3 this figure had improved to 90%. Twelve of the indicators had a change in definition between the two years. Of the 39 that did not change, performance improved on 19, 13 deteriorated, 2 were unchanged and 3 were new indicators for 2002/3. 39% of the indicators were in the top band.

Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) Star Rating

The star ratings summarise the SSI’s independent judgements of performance across all Social Services, on a scale of zero to three stars. Separate judgements for children and adult services are given. The table below gives the ratings from November 2002 and November 2003.

¹ From 1 Apr 2004 the SSI became part of the newly created Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

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