§ Lord Smith of Leighasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the rationalisation of inspection of health agencies and the comprehensive performance assessment process for local authorities, there should be a similar rationalisation of those agencies inspecting local authority services. [HL4968]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe proposed new commission for social care inspection recently announced by the Secretary of State for Health will bring together the current inspection functions of the National Care Standards Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) under one organisation.
Co-ordinated and proportionate inspection activity will be delivered through the comprehensive performance assessment framework being developed by the Audit Commission. SSI, and the other inspectorates in the Local Government Inspectorate Forum, provide data and ensure that the inspections are proportionate.
§ Lord Smith of Leighasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Social Services Inspectorate has not played a part in the corporate assessment of local authorities currently taking place. [HL4970]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe social services star ratings, prepared by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), will be incorporated within the overall comprehensive performance assessment judgments. In support of the corporate assessments, SSI has provided information on all councils and contributed to the majority of round table discussions which have so far taken place and his taking part in the fieldwork on some inspections.