Star ratings get new look as Commission changes assessment of councils’ performance
1 August
The Commission for Social Care Inspection plans changes to the
way in which it assesses councils on the quality of social care
services for adults.
A consultation on the proposals is launched today (Tuesday 1
August).
The primary aim is to tailor services to meet people’s needs,
rather than fit people into the system. This is a key objective of
the Government’s recent White Paper on health and social care, Our
Health, Our Care, Our Say.
CSCI’s new performance assessment framework for 2006-07 is to be
constructed around the seven outcomes that the White Paper seeks
for people who use services, plus two additional measures: on
leadership and the commissioning and use of resources.
This will build towards a new social care and health performance
assessment framework, as envisaged in the White Paper. The expected
White Paper on local government will also influence the further
development of this work.
For 2006-07, CSCI proposes to retain its system of awarding each
council a star rating. However, it plans to move from the current
four categories (from zero to three stars) to five (zero to four
stars).
This will enable the Commission to be more specific in its
judgements about services and make it easier to acknowledge
improvements made by individual councils.
The Commission also believes the new framework will help to
reduce the amount of time that councils spend on collating data on
social care services.
CSCI Chief Inspector David Behan said: “People tell us that they
want high-quality support which meets their needs and aspirations
for more independence and ever-greater control over their own
lives.
“Councils need to demonstrate that they are improving outcomes
for individuals and local communities.
“We need to put an even sharper focus on independence, choice,
control and outcomes than we do already, and that is why we are
reshaping our performance assessment framework.”
The consultation document, A New Outcomes Framework for
Performance Assessment of Adult Social Care, can be viewed on the
Commission’s website at www.csci.org.uk. There is also a response
form.
Ends
Notes to editor
1. The White Paper, Our Health. Our Care, Our Say, sets out
seven outcomes for people who use social care and health services
–
Improved health: Enjoying good physical and mental health
(including protection from abuse and exploitation). Access to
appropriate treatment and support in managing long-term conditions
independently. Opportunities for physical activity.
Improved quality of life: Access to leisure, social activities
and life-long learning and to universal, public and commercial
services. Security at home, access to transport and confidence in
safety outside the home.
Making a positive contribution: Maintaining involvement in local
activities and being involved in policy development and
decision-making.
Exercise of choice and control: Through maximum independence and
access to information. Being able to choose and control services
and being helped to manage risk in personal life.
Freedom from discrimination or harassment: Equality of access to
services for all who need them.
Economic well-being: Access to income and resources sufficient
for a good diet. Accommodation and participation in family and
community life. Ability to meet costs arising from specific
individual needs.
Personal dignity and respect: Not being subject to abuse.
Keeping clean and comfortable. Enjoying a clean and orderly
environment. Availability of appropriate personal care.
The two additional measures in CSCI’s performance assessment
framework are:
Leadership: Councils with adult social services responsibilities
will provide a key professional role for staff working in adult
social care services. They will also have a key role in ensuring
accountability of services to local communities through
consultation with local people and, in particular, people who use
services.
Commissioning and use of resources: Adult social care leaders
will commission and deliver services to clear standards of both
quality and cost, by the most effective, economic and efficient
means available, and so demonstrate value for money.
2. The CSCI is the single inspectorate for social care in
England, responsible for regulating and inspecting all social care
providers – whether in the public or independent sector.
3. The Commission’s primary aim is to improve social care by
putting the needs of people who use care services first.
4. The Commission is chaired by Dame Denise Platt DBE and has
five Commissioners. The Chief Inspector is David Behan CBE. CSCI
staff work across nine regions in England – aligned with the
government offices of the regions.