Labour in Social Services turmoil

11.38.28am GMT Wed 9th Aug 2006

Haringey Labour have been strongly criticised over the standards of care that are provided to residents, following the publication of annual performance figures. Of 13 Key Performance Indicators used to assess Haringey Council's Social Service, eight missed their annual target and showed either a worsening trend or no improvement on the previous year.

The number of people who received a statement of their needs and how they would be met fell well short of the 95% target at just 69%, and just 44% of those cared for by Social Services received a review of their needs - the Council aims to review at least 75% of those receiving a service.[1]

Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health and Social Services Councillor Richard Wilson comments: "The fact that this Labour council has missed not just one or two, but eight of its 13 targets, is a cause for major concern. Labour have failed to carry out effective reviews of care, have failed to provide many with information as to how their needs will be met and failed to carry out timely assessments of need for new clients. This continuing underachievement year on year is simply not acceptable."

ENDS

[1] London Borough of Haringey, minutes of the meeting of the Executive, 13th June 2006, pages 4 & 5 of 9: http://minutes.harinet.haringey.gov.uk/Published/C00000118/M00001439/AI00003225/$Executive20060613Item08PerformanceReportApp1.xlsA.ps.pdf