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SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST
MEETING ON 16 JUNE AT ST HELENS
REPORT OF THE CO-ORDINATOR
ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2000 - 2001
1. Matter for consideration:
To propose an outline Annual Work Programme for the forthcoming year.
2. Introduction:
At its March 2000 meeting, Social Services North West considered a wide-ranging report on the Future Direction
of the organisation. After reviewing the past history and achievements of NWASSA and the current work programme,
it proposed a period of consultation on how SSNW should further its aims and objectives in the year ahead. This
was agreed, and visits have been made to all member authorities (except one which has been deferred) and to the
North West Branch of the Association of Directors of Social Services. This report sets out the results of that
consultation, proposes an Annual work programme and reports progress on raising the profile of Social Services
North West.
3. Information:
3.1 During the consultation, the Co-ordinator met the Director in each authority visited, and one or more members
in about half. A constructive discussion took place during each visit, but these revealed deep dissatisfaction
with the way NWASSA had operated in the past, and strong views that, if it is to continue in the future, it must
'raise its game' to meet the rapidly changing context in which local authority social services now have to operate.
This should involve not only a formal annual work programme and more effective use of SSNW staff resources, but
also an appropriate and effective political profile for what is, after all, an organisation for political representatives
of social services authorities. The view was strongly and almost universally put forward that unless this clear
political role could be sharply identified and developed in the months ahead, the whole future of the organisation
should be questioned.
3.2 That said, the vast majority of authorities contributed positively and thoughtfully to the consultation on
what should comprise the work programme for the forthcoming year. The following four issues emerged as those supported
by a high proportion of member authorities:
1. Interface with the NHS regionally, especially re issues of reconfiguration of services, and mental health
2. Performance Assessment - developing a regional perspective on how the complex new arrangements are developing, and offering a constructive critique
3. Quality Protects, especially in relation to corporate parenting and certain specific aspects of developing high-quality services for children
4. Financial issues, including use of special grants and charging policies.
3.3 Other issues, attracting support from a smaller number of authorities, were:
· Children's agency budgets
· Foster care
· Community/continuing/intermediate care
· Human resource issues, including recruitment, retention and training
· Asylum seekers
· Homeless young people
· Neighbourhood renewal/Community regeneration/Social inclusion
3.4 In addition to the above, there was support for continuing the organisation's long-standing work in the field
of major incident management, and for retaining capacity to respond to any new and urgent issues which arise. In
progressing all of these issues, the continuing support of Directors and staff of member authorities will be essential,
with the expectation that time and effort invested should be at least balanced by the benefits gained by authorities.
3.5 It was further suggested that members may wish to give thought to whether the present format of quarterly meetings
is that which will assist them best to develop their new agenda for the organisation. There have in the past been
opportunities for the informal sharing of innovation and good practice between authorities; it has also been suggested
that occasional more informal seminars for members might assist in developing their political role within Social
Services North West.
3.6 The March 2000 report outlined various actions to be taken to raise the profile of Social Services North West:
there follows an update on each of these:
· Quarterly newsletter - TWO issues delivered in first quarter
· Conference Programme - 3 scheduled for Autumn, one more for Winter (see separate report)
· Liaison with NWRO, NHSE / SSI - Commitment secured to meeting of Chairs of SSNW / NHSE NW - aiming for July (see separate report)
· Liaison with LGA - SSNW invited to host regional meeting in the Autumn (see separate report)
· Liaison with NWDA - early stages
· Website - trial site and full report by September, prior to Autumn launch (? Social Services Conference)
· Media strategy - to be developed once Work Programme agreed
4. Recommendations
4.1 That the four issues set out in 3.2 above be endorsed as the priorities for 2000 - 2001, with attention also
being directed to the issues in 3.3 as resources permit.
4.2 That members consider any changes they may wish to see made to the arrangements for them to meet.
4.3 That the actions outlined in 3.6 for raising the profile of Social Services North West be endorsed.
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