A review of the City of Wolverhampton Council's adult social care services has found them to be in good shape and ready to take on challenges ahead.

The review of the council's adults commissioning service was undertaken by a team from other West Midlands councils as part of a wider "peer challenge" programme in the region.

It looked at the way the council goes about commissioning services for older people, adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health needs and public health services.

The review team, led by Peter Hay, Strategic Director for People at Birmingham City Council, met with around 60 members of staff from the council, NHS and independent adult social care providers over 3 days.

They also carried out audits of social work files and reviewed the way the council works with partners such as Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group.

The team reported that the council had a clear vision for the future, with the potential to enhance services still further.

An action plan was presented to the council's Cabinet (Performance Management) Panel on Monday (13 June, 2016) in response to recommendations made by the review. 

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "We welcomed the opportunity for colleagues across the West Midlands to visit our services.

"This review is an integral part of our ongoing improvement process, and we are very pleased that so many of our strengths have been recognised. 

"It's also been very helpful to receive recommendations for further actions which will enhance the commissioning process still further, and we have now approved a plan to take these forward.

"It includes actions to create even more choice for adults in need of care and support. We value our social care workforce in Wolverhampton who will help us do this. They are working in a well developed adult social care sector, and we support them further as they contribute to our Wolverhampton 2030 jobs and regeneration initiative and create further growth across our city." 

She added: "I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the review in some way, from council staff to partner organisations and service users."

  • released: Wednesday 15 June, 2016