Decision details

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health which detailed the findings of the recent Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review into Adult Social Care in Sefton following an invitation extended to the LGA to complete a review of the service ahead of the arrival of the Care Quality Commission’s assurance inspections which could be as early as 2023.

The Peer Review was conducted in July 2022 by colleagues from the LGA North West Association of Directors of Adult Social Services with senior officers from other participating local authorities. The Peer Review team was led by Cath Roff, Director of Adult Social Services from Leeds City Council and consisted of colleagues from Lancashire, Leeds, Tameside, Waltham Forest, and Wigan Councils. Representatives from the LGA also formed part of the challenge team, The Peer Review mirrored the scope of the new assurance approach which will be implemented by the Care Quality Commission into all Councils with Adult Social Care responsibilities.

Decision Made: That:

(1)      the content of the report and the full LGA Peer Review be noted; and

(2)      it be noted that the ongoing monitoring of the plan will be through the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Adult Social Care and Health), the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

Reasons for the Decision:

The Peer Review process forms part of the sector led improvement programme which is available to Adult Social Care Services in the North West. It was commissioned as part of Sefton’s preparation for the implementation of the National Assurance framework and inspection regime which is due to be implemented in April 2023. Sefton being the first local authority in the North West to take advantage of this peer review programme.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.