§ 45. Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to seek to rationalise the work of social services departments.
§ Mr. John PattenWhile it is primarily for local authorities, taking account of local circumstances and their own priorities, to determine how the work of their social services departments is carried out, we are always concerned to promote improvements in their professional practice, efficiency and effectiveness. The Audit Commission is helping that process with its studies on various aspects of the personal social services and the Department's new social services inspectorate aims to secure the most effective use of professional and other resources by identifying good practice and spreading knowledge about it.