ijhcqa10.1108/ijhcqaInternational Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance0952-6862Emerald Group Publishing Limited10.1108/ijhcqa.2001.06214gab.007e-non-articleSecondary articleNews and viewscat-HSCHealth & social carecat-HMANHealthcare managementcat-HPLHeathcare policy & lawcat-HSQHealth service qualitycat-HSDHealth service deliveryService quality improvements in social care01122001147© MCB UP Limited2001peer-reviewednoacademic-contentyesrightslinkexcludedService quality improvements in social care

Service quality improvements in social care

A new report from the UK Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) "Quality onthe way – a report of an inspection of service quality improvements insocial care" says that inspectors are "cautiously optimistic". FromNovember 1999 to August 2000 the inspection division inspected ten Englishcouncils to evaluate the range and effectiveness of quality initiatives in areasrelated to social care. The standards used in the inspection were drawn up by adesign group comprising representatives from the Department of Health, localgovernment and the academic world. The standards were applicable to a wide rangeof quality initiatives to test improvements in outcomes for service users andcarers.

Denise Platt, Chief Inspector, SSI, said:

When councils make a concerted effort to address the quality of theirservices, it results in significant improvement in performance.

Findings from the report include:

All councils had made serious attempts to improve information andconsultation with the people using the services.

The councils which had improved the most had adopted approaches linked toBest value, Quality Protects and performance assessment.

Small improvements in the reliability of information systems could result indramatic quality improvements.

The use of independently validated quality systems, such as Investors inPeople and Charter Marks, had made a significant difference.

Corporate commitment plays a particularly important role in improving thequality of social care services along with engaging other council departmentsand agencies effectively in the development of services provided.

For further information: "Quality on the Way" can be found at the Website: www.doh.gov.uk/scglqualityonway.htm