SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT
COMMITTEE – 7 APRIL 2003
EMERGENCY DUTY
SERVICE BEST VALUE IMPROVEMENT PLAN
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES
REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
At the Select Committee of 4 December 2002
the Committee resolved to note the contents of an interim report and receive a
‘SMART’ Annual Report on the implementation of the full Best Value Improvement
Plan, at the end of the current financial year.
To scrutinise the Improvement Plan, to note
it’s contents and give any suggestions for further improvements.
BACKGROUND
The Emergency
Duty Service exists to intervene, outside office hours, in emergency situations
with vulnerable adults and children in order to “reduce risk and stabilise the
emergency” (SSI Inspection Standard 1.3).
The Best Value Review of Out of Hours Services (now renamed the
Emergency Duty Service) was undertaken between May 2000 and March 2001. A report of the Review, which included the
Best Value Improvement Plan, was presented to the Executive on 31st
May 2001. The Review was subsequently endorsed by the Social Services
Inspectorate who reported to the Select Committee of 6th March 2002
that the reviewed ‘out of hours services’ were designated “Good and very likely
to improve”, the equivalent of a 3 star rating.
An interim report to the Select Committee of
4th December 2002 outlined actions in key areas. It was clarified
that the full improvement plan with SMART objectives would be brought back to
the committee at a later date.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The central document is the Best Value Review Report and Improvement Plan, March 2001.
Other relevant Directorate Policies have informed the development of the plan. The Social Service Inspectorate Inspection Standards for Local Authority Social Services Emergency Out of Hours Arrangements inform all developments.
CONSULTATION PROCESS
Each of the improvement points in this Best Value Improvement Plan have been acted up within the context of full consultation with staff and managers whom the actions might effect. Stakeholders, e.g. Foster Carers, have also been consulted on revised protocols and arrangements for Service User consultation are detailed in the plan.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
Any financial implications are detailed in the
attached plan. The provision of services
outside of normal office hours is set within the requirements of a statutory
framework. A full description of this
legislation can be found in Appendix 6 of the Best Value Review of Out of Hours
Services, March 2001. Any Improvement
action thought to have possible implications for crime and disorder prevention
will be discussed with the Crime and Disorder Manager.
APPENDICES ATTACHED
Best
Value Improvement Plan, 19th March 2003.
Best Value Review Report, March 2001.
Contact Points :
Simon Smith, Manager Emergency Duty Service. F
823408,
e-mail: [email protected].
Jimmy Doyle, Head of Children’s Services. F
520600, e-mail:
jimmy.doyle@iow.gov.uk.
GLENN GARROD
Strategic Director, Social Services and Housing