This analysis from the Commission for Social Care Inspection sets out how councils have assessed their progress in delivering services to adults needing social care. Putting People First2, published in 2007, describes the objectives to be achieved in the areas of improving health and emotional well-being, improving quality of life, making a positive contribution, increased choice and control, freedom from discrimination, economic well-being, and maintaining personal dignity and respect .

The analysis shows that the number of older people supported by telecare has increased by over 300,000 over two years against the government target of 160,000. The number of recipients of Direct Payments has increased over nine fold over six years from 8000 nationally to over 73000.

The great majority of councils have partnership agreements in mental health, learning disabilities and integrated equipment services. Just over half of councils have agreements for older people with mental health problems and delayed transfers of care. Councils are the predominant leads for learning disabilities and equipment services, and NHS agencies for mental health.

Sixty percent of councils were on target for having all new cases on Electronic Social Care Record in spring 2008, and slightly less, 55 per cent, were on target to have all new and existing cases as an electronic social care record.

Fewer councils experienced recruitment and retention difficulties for particular groups and services. The average staff turnover for England, at just over 10%, was at a similar level to the previous year. Councils did not achieve planned reductions in staff vacancies, instead these increased marginally to 8.6 per cent, from 8.4 in the previous year.

The average planned increase in care home fees in 2008-09 is 2.8 per cent, 0.4 per cent lower than last year. Similarly the planned increase in home care fees is 2.7 per cent, 0.4 per cent lower than last year. The increase for day care is 2.3 per cent, 0.2 per cent below last years increase. The average planned percentage increases in charges to clients are 3 per cent for residential care, 4.7 per cent for home care and 5.5% for day care, exceeding the percentage increases in fees for all services.

The report is available form the CSCI. http://www.csci.org.uk/professional/councils/performance_assessment/whats_new/council_self-assessment_survey.aspx