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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the surveys, and information sought in each case, sent to social service departments in the last six months. [139043] Mr. Hutton: [holding answer 20 November 2000]: In support of its business objectives to secure high-quality social care and child protection through local authorities and other agencies, the Department collects statistical information on an annual basis from councils with social services responsibilities. Details of the statistical collections are available on the Department of Health internet site at www.doh.gov.uk/public/pss2000ret.htm. The Department also collects information in support of performance monitoring of individual council's achievements against national targets. The autumn position statement, issued in September, sought performance and progress information in connection with selected aspects of the Department's national priorities guidance objectives and targets. It forms part of the Department's new performance assessment system for social services introduced this year. The winter census of social services was carried out by the Department's social care regional offices in October, covering all councils with social services responsibilities. It gathered information on changes to the number of residential and nursing home places in council areas over the period October 1999-October 2000: and on council expenditure to support admissions. Information that the social services inspectorate requests from individual local authorities to aid the inspection process has not been included.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

357 c357-8W; 139043

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Statistics Standards Social services Surveys

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk