Best Value needs to be more effective

Best Value reviews in social care are failing
to focus on tackling difficult problems or cover a wide enough area
says a report circulated to all social services departments last
week.

The report was prepared by the Social Services
Inspectorate and the Joint Review team, in partnership with the
Association of Directors of Social Services, and brings together
key messages from the last 18 months about the most effective use
of Best Value. It states that councils should undertake more
fundamental reviews that would have more effect on services.

Since April 2000, councils have had to develop
Best Value performance plans and review their services over a
five-year period. But “many councils have struggled to implement
Best Value effectively”, said chief inspector of social services
Denise Platt in a letter accompanying the report.

The report emphasises that Best Value is a
means of helping councils improve public services and should be
seen as part of the overall performance management
arrangements.

– Getting the Best from Best Value is
available from www.doh.gov.uk