Joint inspections mooted for 2005-6

Children’s social services and education are to be inspected
together under proposed changes to the comprehensive performance
assessment framework unveiled last week.

The consultation document proposes introducing a young people and
children assessment, and a separate appraisal for older
people.

The model for 2005-6 would underpin the creation of children’s
trusts that all councils are expected to have set up by 2006.

Among the outcomes that will be covered by performance indicators
will be improving educational attainment of all children, effective
performance of a council in its corporate parent role and the
protection of children from abuse.

Meanwhile, the Social Services Inspectorate last week wrote to
social services directors confirming that inspections will be
proportionate to performance ratings and that zero-star social
services departments will be subject to monthly review meetings.

The deadline for consultation on the content of the children’s
assessment is November. The revised framework will be published in
February 2005.

– Comprehensive Performance Assessment 2005: The Way Ahead
from www.audit-commission.gov.uk