Bolton praised for quality of services

Bolton Council’s social services department
has good quality services and has excellent prospects for further
improvements, according to a report published last week.

Staff are competent and well supported and
there is a commitment to improvement, said the Audit Commission and
Social Services Inspectorate joint review. Bolton has fewer
children in care or on the child protection register by focusing on
children with needs at an early stage.

There are good quality services for all users,
many examples of multi-disciplinary procedures and strategies in
place, and a good range of services for people with mental health
problems, it adds.

However, inaccurate finance and activity data
were highlighted, which hinder both safe budget delegation and the
use of performance indicators that could help drive social services
forward.

The report urged Bolton to develop a
commissioning strategy, a strategic framework for services for
older people and a framework for performance management. It needs
to offer a wider range of choice for older people with mental
health problems, disabled people and those with hearing
impairments.