PAPER B1

Purpose : For Information

REPORT TO THE CABINET

Date : 17 JANUARY 2006

Title : INSPECTION OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CARE, HEALTH AND HOUSING

IMPLEMENTATION DATE : 27 January 2006

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1. During 2005, the Commission for Social Care Inspection undertook a detailed inspection of services for people with learning disabilities on the Isle of Wight. The inspection is part of a national programme of inspections. It is national standard practice following an inspection that the Commission publicly present their findings at an open meeting to senior council members. The Commission have been invited to attend Cabinet on 17 January to make their report. Until such time as the report has been presented the report is embargoed. This report serves as an introduction to their presentation. Cabinet is also invited to consider it’s response to the report.

BACKGROUND

2. The Isle of Wight Council has a key role as the lead organisation on the Isle of Wight for the development and commissioning of services for people with a learning disability. The Inspectors have looked in detail at the Council’s implementation of the 2001 White Paper ‘Valuing People’, which serves as the benchmark for progress in modernising and developing services.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

3. As the lead organisation for improving the lives of people affected by learning disability, the Council is pursuing it’s key objectives including improving the health and well being of a significant part of the Island community. Effective leadership and services will also enrich and strengthen local communities.

4. The Inspection also considers the effectiveness of services together with the current and future performance of the Council.

5. Inspection findings contribute to the overall national performance rating of Council services.

CONSULTATION

6. The Inspectors undertook detailed and lengthy consultation as part of their investigation, which is clearly referenced in the inspection report.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

7. There are no budget implications arising from this Cabinet report.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

8. There are no legal implications arising from this Cabinet report. The Council is however required by the Commission for Social Inspection to respond to it’s findings and recommendations as part of the overall national performance management framework.

OPTIONS

9. The Council will consider the findings of the Commission for Social Care Inspection and respond in a positive and planned way to the Commission’s findings.

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

10. The Inspection report is an expert assessment of services which provides an informed view of progress and future potential. By responding in a planned way to the inspectors recommendations, the risk of failure to develop modern services that meet national and local objectives is managed and reduced.

RECOMMENDATIONS

11. That the Commission present the findings of their 2005 inspection to the Cabinet for information consideration.

12. The Council will respond in a planned way to any recommendations for improvement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

13. The inspection report is officially embargoed until the Commission have officially reported their findings to the Council. Cabinet Members will be provided with a confidential copy of the inspection report as soon as it becomes available prior to Cabinet, the report will be publicly available from 17 January 2006.

14. An improvement plan which responds to the Commission’s recommendations for improvements will be also be made available to Cabinet Members with the confidential copy of the inspection report.

Contact Point : Martin Johnson, Service Manager, ( 520600 Email: [email protected]

MR ANDREW WILLIAMSON Interim Director of Adult and Community Services

COUNCILLOR DAWN COUSINS Cabinet Member for Care, Health and Housing