This page provides details about the main external organisations that review and inspect the services provided by the County Council. There are also links to their websites so you can search for inspection reports and performance information.
Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)
During the period September 2005 to January 2006 the County Council's inspectors and auditors carried out a review of the Council's performance including a Joint Area Review of Services for Children & Young People (JAR).
To view the reports produced by SOLACE follow the link below:
Corporate Assessment and Joint Area Review 2006
A Corporate Assessment is central government's way of assessing the overall performance of the whole of the county council. And the Joint Area Review is their way of assessing the overall performance of services for the Children and Young People in Cumbria.
When is it?
The inspection teams were on site during their Analysis Week in July, carrying out their desk-top review of our strategies and plans. The actual Corporate Assessment and JAR took place during Monday 4 September - Friday 15 September. Various interviews, meetings and focus groups with members, staff and partners were held during that 2 week period.
Key Messages
The key messages we hope came across to our inspectors during their inspection visit are as follows......
- We have strong management and leadership
- We have clear ambitions and priorities
- We use performance management that works
- We are positive about community leadership
- Our partnerships have real purpose
- We work locally to get close to the community
- We use consultation to listen and learn
- We identify problems and deal with them
- We value diversity and champion equality
- We value our employees and help them learn and achieve
These headlines are taken from our corporate self assessment which shows how we are building on our strengths and addressing weaknesses to deliver real results for the people of Cumbria.
Key dates
Corporate Assessment Draft Report: Wednesday 18 October 2006
Deadline for comments on the Draft Report: Monday 6 November 2006
Feedback meeting with the inspectors: Friday 24 November 2006
Final date for review of the Report: Wednesday 6th December
Publication date of the Final Report: Monday 11th December
Corporate Assessment Self-Assessment - How we're building pride in Cumbria
As part of our inspection process, the Audit Commission ask us to produce a self-assessment of how well we think we are doing. This document forms part of the overall evidence gathering process. Our self assessment document reflects the fact that we believe that we are an improving organisation delivering better services to the people of Cumbria. We recognise that there are still areas we need to get right, but we are confident that we are moving in the right direction. Read our self assessment document "How we're building pride in Cumbria" here and judge for yourself.
What's in the JAR?
The JAR will be an integrated inspection and will cover all children and young people, all services and all agencies.
The JAR will set out to describe what life is like for all children and young people growing up in Cumbria and evaluate the way local services contribute to their well-being.
To find out more about the JAR please view the briefing paper below. And to find out more about the county council's Children's Services please visit the web pages below.
The Audit Commission
The Audit Commission are an independent public body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively in the areas of local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services. They seek to help councils improve by:
Helping local authorities establish firm foundations of good management
Helping elected members, managers and officers to deliver value for money
Looking at how users experience services across organisational boundaries.
The Audit Commission inspects Cumbria County Council’s Environment Services (Planning Transport and Waste management), Libraries and Fire and Rescue Service. They also review how well the Council provides value for money.
View the Audit Commission reports about Cumbria County Council (External site)
You can also read the Annual Audit and Inspection letter by following the link below:
OFSTED
OFSTED is the inspectorate for children and learners in England. They contribute to the provision of better education and care through effective inspection and regulation. This is achieved through a comprehensive system of inspection and regulation covering childcare, schools, colleges, children's services, teacher training and youth work. OFSTED lead on the inspection of Cumbria’s schools and Children’s Social Care Services.
View OFSTED reports about Children's Services in Cumbria (External site)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is the independent inspectorate for social care services in England. CSCI are the lead inspectorate for Cumbria’s Adult Social Care Services.
CSCI's primary function is to promote improvements in social care and the commission provides a complete picture of social care in England:
Locally and nationally
In adult services and children's services
For people who use social services
For local councils, voluntary and private providers
For government
View the CSCI reports about Adult Social Care Services in Cumbria (External site)