Joint review shows council not serving people well

Wakefield social services are not serving local people well and
have uncertain prospects for improvement, a joint review by the
Audit Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate reveals,
writes Lauren Revans.

The report says the council has failed to develop its services
due to its heavy reliance on providing them in-house at a high
cost.

Services for people with disabilities were singled out as being
particularly poor. Service development was also being hindered by
poor information technology and financial management systems and
staffing issues.

Joint review director John Bolton said that the council was not
making the best use of its resources, and was failing many
vulnerable people.

“What this review is suggesting is a total overhaul of the way
services are provided,” Bolton said. “Not only do they need to be
more responsive to users needs, they should also be more cost
effective.”

The review team recommended that the council commission services
more strategically according to the principles of Best Value,
streamline management and procedures, and create incentives for
change.

Council chief executive John Edwards said: “This report raises
serious challenges and we must respond quickly and effectively. We
will do so without shirking our responsibility to the people of
this district. They must come first at all times.”