§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility social services authorities have to identify unmet need for care and personal social services. [34361]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 7 February 2002]: Recent guidance issued by the Department "Building capacity and partnership in care" reminds councils with social services responsibilities that they should commission services on the basis of rounded assessments of current and future needs within the general population, and they should identify gaps and shortfalls in services in the context of service users' aspirations.
488WAt a practical level, councils should take account of the numbers of people who approach them for help, and their presenting problems, but who are not eligible for council support. They will be assisted in this task through reference to the Department's statistical return "Referrals, Assessments and Packages of Care". Councils may use this information when reviewing their eligibility criteria and the services they provide.
In addition, once councils with social services responsibilities have identified needs that fall within their eligibility criteria, they should meet those needs in the most cost-effective way. Councils should monitor and review the provision of care services to individuals to ensure that services remain appropriate and suitable and that assessed needs are met.