Social services

A new analysis of state-funded social care in England shows steady yearly improvement. The best local authorities have improved the quality of people's lives. However, a handful simply failed to provide proper care services, while others have become stuck in the mud and appear unable or unwilling to improve further. 

The annual council star ratings published by the newly formed Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) on Thursday, show that of 150 local councils, 20 have achieved the highest three star level, 82 merited two stars, 40 secured one star and eight failed to get any stars at all.  Overall, 27 councils improved their ratings over the last year, while 11 fell in their ratings. Two previously zero rated councils moved off special measures.  But, two new councils fell into the zero star rated category in 2004, leaving the total at eight. 

Government Response: Department of Health

Margaret Hodge, minister for children and Stephen Ladyman, minister for social care, said: "Star ratings are driving improvements in social care services, helping make real improvements in people's lives locally.

 

"Today we should celebrate the improvements in social services and care provided for those who rely on it. All social service staff working in these councils should be thanked for their efforts."

 

Party Response: Liberal Democrats

 

Sandra Gidley MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for older people, said: "Whilst the overall picture shows a modest improvement under the current system of star ratings, it hides the fact that nearly half of the councils are not reaching an adequate standard when it comes to assessing the needs of adults and older people.

"CSCI themselves also admit that the least well rated aspects included support services for carers and this is reflected in the data on carers assessment.

 

"Once again it is easy to see that it's the old and the vulnerable who are being failed by social services.The government needs to stop hiding behind the smokescreen of star ratings and start to tackle some of the problems."

 

Stakeholder Response: Commission for Social Care Inspection

 

Dame Denise Platt, CSCI chairwoman, said: "These star ratings are all about the quality of people's lives when they need care. 

"Are local councils serving their people well?  Are children in care being given proper educational opportunities? Are children at risk of abuse being protected properly? Are councils delivering good home care services, which is what most people want? And are people with learning and physical disabilities being given the chance to lead fuller, more engaging lives? 

"We have analysed thousands of pieces of evidence to arrive at our conclusions today.  Our findings show modest gains in the quality and delivery of services across the board, which we applaud.

"But we are also concerned that some councils appear happy to remain at a one star or two star level.  Our aspiration, which should be their aspiration, is that all councils in England should be providing three star services to the people they care for."

Stakeholder Response: Disabilities Trust

A spokesman for the Disabilities Trust said: "Today's figures on the star ratings of social service department's show a welcome improvement in overall standards. While the star rating system remains controversial, if it does provide an additional incentive for local authorities to work at improving the quality of their services then it will have made a positive contribution to raising standards something that is in the interests of all who use or are involved with, social services."

 

Stakeholder Response: Institute of Education

 

June Staham, senior research officer at the Institute of Education's Thomas Coram Research Unit, said: "It's encouraging that councils are providing better services – or at least getting better at meeting performance targets, which may not be quite the same thing.

 

"Our own research has shown that there are complicated reasons for the variation between councils in their scores on children's services performance indicators. This is not just down to money or the level of disadvantage in the population.

 

"As the chief inspector has suggested, good leadership and committed staff are key. But is 'naming and shaming' the best way to go about improving morale and encouraging people into the profession?

 

"Perhaps a little less weighing and measuring, and a little more attention paid to improving the image and pay of social care work, might help more councils to escape the 'low star' bunker."

 

Stakeholder Response: General Social Care Council

 

Lynne Berry, chief executive of the GSCC said: "The GSCC welcomes the steady improvement shown in services. It is evidence of the hard work carried out by social care workers up and down the country. The GSCC and CSCI work closely together and both share a commitment to high standards and ensure that thousands of people see real improvements in their quality of life."