Councils' reaction to Supporting People report

Shropshire’s councils are collectively disappointed by the judgements made in an independent report released today (Thursday 9 October) by the Audit Commission.

That report from the Audit Commission was based on the picture they saw in Shropshire a year ago in October 2007.

The performance rating they made was that services were “poor” but had “promising prospects” – but the report does acknowledge that a great deal of work has gone on in the past year to improve Supporting People services across the county.

Shropshire County Council disputed the findings of this process on the basis that it didn’t seem to reflect the feelings of service users and of service providers – nor the hard work of all staff involved in all of the councils commissioning these services.

The report had some very positive things to say about the services that the inspectors saw going on in Shropshire. Most importantly, the report noted that the programme had made some big financial savings. At the same time it acknowledged that the standard of quality in Shropshire’s Supporting People services had “significantly” improved over the past three years.

The report also acknowledged that district councillors were well informed about the programme, and that the programme was well represented in regional partnerships, and that good links had been developed with partners such as probation and with the council’s services for adults and children – with some “effective joint working”.

Nevertheless, the report highlighted a number of weaknesses, and the council has a very detailed action plan to deal with these. The action plan was drawn up at the beginning of 2008 and is well on its way to delivering the improvements which the Audit Commission expect.

The challenge for the programme in the old two-tier council arrangements will be eased greatly by the move to the new Shropshire Council in April 2009, which can only help accelerate improvements for vulnerable people in Shropshire.

Councillor Barbara Craig, Shropshire County Council Cabinet member for community services, said: “I genuinely believe that the judgement made by the Audit Commission is not a true reflection of the programme.

“I am very proud of the fact that we have a proven track record of delivering high quality, value-for-money services and this service is no exception.

“Of course there are areas where we can improve – and we are confident that we will continue to do so in the future.”

Councillor Peter Corston, chairman of the Community Services Scrutiny Panel, said: “It is disappointing that the Supporting People inspection report does not reflect the work that goes on with elected county council members.

“As chair of a challenging and dynamic Community Services Scrutiny Panel, I have ensured that the performance of the Supporting People programme has been discussed and debated at length, and that members have used this and other events organised by the programme to challenge its direction, strategy and performance, and by doing so have contributed in a positive way to the programme.”

9 October 2008