Buckinghamshire issues plan after joint review finds service delays

Buckinghamshire social services outlined a draft action plan
aimed at improving social care services, following a joint review,
writes Clare Jerrom.

The report found some people were served well, and there was
evidence of some good quality services, relatively high numbers of
people receiving complex care packages and effective casework.

But other service users experienced serious delays in
assessments and services, which was attributed to budget pressures,
service availability and workload pressures on frontline staff.

The review identified a number of priorities for Buckinghamshire
including developing clearer commissioning strategies, improving
strategic planning systems, building on strategic partnerships, and
ensuring the new council structures work well.

Sue Mead, assistant review director of joint reviews, said:
“Although some people are getting a good service, overall there are
too many delays and gaps. There are new structural arrangements in
place in the county, the focus must now be on improving the
responsiveness of the council to those people who need its
help.”

In response the council has outlined the action plan, and
insists a number of improvements have been made since the
review.

It has improved partnerships with the local health sector, and
introduced a new information system. There have been reductions in
the number of looked after children and those on the child
protection register as a result of better planning and family
support, and significant improvements in completing child
protection reviews within timescale.

 

 

 

 

 

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