Meeting documents

APPENDIX 1

Report to Executive

4-Monthly Performance Report

SCOPE OF REPORTING AREA

Adult Care & Commissioning

Children & Family Services

Main achievements

_ The Keepsafe Project, an initiative designed to assess young people with sexually harmful behaviours, was the overall winner of the Southern Region Health & Safety Award in the Children's Care category. The project was recognised for providing a good quality service, demonstrated by the fact that of the 27 young people assessed and assisted through the initiative, there have been no re-convictions. The Keepsafe Project will now go forward into the national final of the Social Care awards.

_ Children & Family Services received a positive report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) following their annual inspection of Fostering Services.

_ A project to introduce the concept of Person Centred Planning, a means by which people with disabilities are encouraged to work on their own personal objectives and aspirations, has been implemented within the Learning Difficulties Service. Although it is in a fairly early stage it is already bringing benefits to those involved.

_ The outcome of a recent OFSTED inspection of Hazelwood Day Nursery was extremely encouraging; the nursery received a very positive report.

_ A Partnership Agreement with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) for the provision of jointly managed health and social care services for people with Learning Difficulties has been completed. A new post of Joint Services Manager has been created; the post holder will be responsible for both health and social care staff, the commissioning of all services for people with learning difficulties, and a total budget of £13M.

_ As part of the previously reported revision of Home Care Services, the allocation of staff to their new teams has now been completed.

_ A group of young people Looked After by the Local Authority successfully completed Teenagers to Work placements in settings across the council and with other local employers.

_ A joint training initiative, Continuing Health Care, has been rolled out for Health and Social Care employees. This will ensure a greater understanding of the policies and procedures related to peoples entitlement to free long-term NHS care.

_ A survey to identify DeafBlind people in the Bath & North East Somerset area was launched to coincide with national DeafBlind week in June. As a result of the timing of the launch the survey achieved good coverage in the local media.

_ In line with the e-government initiative, Adult Care Services are piloting the use of electronic "tablets". These computerised note books will enable social workers to electronically record clients' assessments when they visit them in their own home.

Planned Actions not achieved

_ Implementation of the changes to Home Care Services, due to on-going negotiations with staff and trade unions regarding changes to working practices.

Development Opportunities

_ A workshop has been held with senior managers in the PCT to explore how health and social care services for both older people and young adults with physical impairments could be more closely aligned.

_ The establishment of an Every Child Matters Project Board will encourage greater cross service working and ownership of the recommendations outlined within the Green Paper and the Children Bill.

_ The Action Plan being compiled following the inspection of Fostering Services provides the opportunity to respond to the good practice recommendations from CSCI while building on existing good service and performance.

Potential threats

_ Continuing problems in recruiting and retaining social work staff across all service areas in Social & Housing Services is recognised as a potential threat to our ability to provide adequate services in a timely fashion.

_ The cost of placements for children with complex and challenging needs has a negative impact on the overall budget for the Service.

_ The overall financial position for Social Services is a considerable threat. The forecast position for 2004/05 is an overspend of £1.05 million, which is mainly due to residential, nursing and domiciliary care placements for older people.

Update on Corporate Projects

The Local Preventative Strategy, aimed at promoting the health and wellbeing of children in Bath & North East Somerset, is nearing completion. Lead groups are being established to progress the objectives of delivering improved outcomes for children, over the next 5 to 15 years, through increased partnership working.

_ Progressing the Accommodation Strategy: a number of moves within the Services have taken place with more planned in the near future.

_ Preparations for the implementation of the Children Bill are progressing.

2. Reporting on targets and commitments made in the Performance Plan

3. Disability and Ethnicity - Reporting on Staff and Service Users

Staff

Service User from Ethnic Minorities

(N.B. data excludes people receiving services from Mental Health Teams)