Cheshire East Council rises to the challenges of increasing social care needs

Cheshire East Council has published its ‘local account’ detailing its achievements in adult social care and the challenges it faces.

Cheshire East is a great place to raise a family – to live, learn and to work. But it is also a borough with an ageing population.  At 26.9 per cent, the borough has a far higher percentage of over-60s than the national average at 22.7 per cent.

More than half the council’s entire budget goes into supporting the vulnerable in the borough – both young and old.

Together with partner agencies, the council has engaged with people who need social care support, carers and the public, focusing on a number of topics, which has given the council rich information about the services the council provides to them and what they would like to see in the future.

While the council continues to deliver essential services to those most in need, it also delivers services that support a good quality of life.

Mark Palethorpe, acting executive director of people, said: “Our ‘local account’ for 2016/17 is a summary of the adult social care service’s activity, working with our partners from the health sector and especially the voluntary, community and faith sectors, to support vulnerable people who have adult social care needs.

“We are keen to ensure that our work supports the creation of resilient communities.” 

The ‘local account’ provides information on:

· The council’s achievements in adult social care and its performance;

· New and existing innovative services;

· Feedback from service users supported through social care services;

· Changes and challenges the council faces; and

· Plans for improvements

The ‘local account’ is a key part of the process of transparency and accountability to local residents and reflects the council’s aspirations for the way it provides adult social care, aiming to be person-centred, giving residents independence and choice, quality of care and a sense of safety and protection.

The ‘local account’ is intended to be a report written for residents as well as council officers and service providers and is seen as a benchmark for future development.

To view the ‘local account’ for adult social care visit: http://bit.ly/2p7ctYA