Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) is the new framework for the assessment of local public services which came into effect on 1 April 2009. The assessment is area based and focuses on outcomes delivered by all partners in an area.

CAA is a key component of the new national performance framework for local authorities and their partners. It has been developed to work with Local Area Agreements and the National Indicator Set as part of a single system. It links to new performance frameworks for the Police, the Assessment of Police and Community Safety (APACS) and to the assessments of the new Care Quality Commission, which is replacing the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and the Healthcare Commission.

CAA is designed to connect inspection and assessment activity across local government and key partners. It is a joint assessment made by key inspectorates on the performance of local authorities and their partners, how well they are working together, and how likely they are to meet local priorities for improvement

CAA comprises two separate but connected elements:
1. The Area Assessment that considers outcomes for the local area as a whole.
2. The Organisational Assessment that considers key partner organisations individually.


Using the Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement as a starting point, the Area Assessment focuses on three overarching questions: -

1. How well do local priorities express community needs and aspirations?
2. How well are the outcomes and improvements needed being delivered?
3. What are the prospects for future improvements?


The 2009 Comprehensive Area Assessment report for Middlesbrough can be accessed by clicking here

A press release outlining a summary of the results can be accessed be clicking here

For more information on the CAA please access the OnePlace website by clicking here