DASS: The Draft Local Account

In March 2011 the coalition government published its strategy to improve adult social care through a focus on outcomes and greater transparency.  

As part of this the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has withdrawn their system of annual inspection of adult social care departments.  Instead, Local Authorities are expected to be responsible for their own improvement, and to identify their own needs through self evaluation. 

Wirral Council’s Cabinet approved a Draft “Local Account” on 8 December 2011 which is a central part of the approach to “Sector Led Improvement” and a strategy to drive improvement through a focus on outcomes and greater transparency.  

The approach places at its heart the principle that every Council should be responsible for its own improvement, and should identify its own needs through self evaluation. Councils are expected to undertake on going self assessment and assurance with people who use services and citizens, and to publish information on priorities and progress.   

The Local Account is intended to let residents know how well adult social care has performed, and is an opportunity for Councils to make more information available to their residents on their achievements, challenges and priorities.  

Publishing the Local Account in draft form will provide DASS with an opportunity to learn lessons and obtain feedback on how it can improve this report in the future.  

We are seeking residents’ views on the Local Account, and would urge anyone with an interest in Adult Social Services to read the document before completing a short survey:

The Local Account Survey