Consultation on Assessment of Adult Social Care

The way in which councils are assessed on their performance in providing social care for adults is set to change.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is seeking views on proposed modifications to its performance assessment of adult services in 2008-09.

John Fraser, CSCI’s Director of Quality, Performance and Methods, said:

“Councils’ commissioning and delivery of adult social care are vital to local people who use these services, and their families and carers.

“It is our job as the regulator to reflect policy changes and ensure that what we assess is contemporary and relevant.”

There are four key areas in which the emphasis will change, in line with Government expectations for:

  • more power to be given to individuals to take control and commission their own services;
  • more power for councils to set their own priorities in meeting local needs, with less central direction;
  • a potentially universal entitlement to advice and information and to a range of support and care services, and better access to community services and personal care;
  • health and social care services to be delivered together effectively for people who need both, particularly those with more complex support needs.

Consultation document and questionnaire

The closing date for views is 8 August.

Notes for Editors

  1. CSCI is the inspectorate for adults’ social care in England, responsible for regulating and inspecting all social care providers - whether in the public or independent sector, and for assessing the performance of local councils in delivering their adults’ social services functions.
  2. The Commission’s primary aim is to improve social care by putting the needs of people who use care services first.
  3. The Commission is chaired by Dame Denise Platt DBE and has five Commissioners. The Chief Inspector is Paul Snell.

Media contacts:

  • Andy Keast-Marriott 020 7979 2093
  • Ray Veasey 020 7979 2094
  • Chris Salter 020 7979 2089

Created: 6/10/2008 Last updated: 6/10/2008