News Release
Media information from Middlesbrough Council Press and Public Relations Office (01642) 729502/3/4. Fax (01642) 729956
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REVIEWS GIVE COUNCIL AND PARTNERS CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

MIDDLESBROUGH Council and its partners know their local communities and people feel they can influence decisions, according to an independent assessment by the Audit Commission.

The Local Strategic Partnership has brought about real improvement to make things better for children and young people, while adults and older people are well looked after by social care services and helped to live independently in their own homes.

The inspection also revealed that fewer crimes are committed and people feel safer.

Middlesbrough has been assessed as being a much more attractive place to shop, work and do business and that residents are more positive about the town than they were previously.

The Audit Commission report highlights the work undertaken by the Partnership to make Middlesbrough cleaner and more attractive, and points to the Council’s achievement of Beacon status for tackling climate change.

Les Southerton, Chairman of the Local Strategic Partnership, said: “Overall this is a positive assessment of the area and I welcome the recognition for improvements that have occurred in the town.

“The Partnership has worked hard to make a difference to people’s lives and it is good to see the success of this work reflected in this report.”

The Audit Commission’s Oneplace assessment follows the recent ‘excellent’ rating awarded to Middlesbrough Council’s Social Care service by the Care Quality Commission.

This is the third year in a row that social care in Middlesbrough has been rated as excellent.

All areas of social care come under close scrutiny, including performance data, inspection reports, relationships with partners and the views of people who use the council’s social care services.

The Council’s Social Care service is rated as excellent in its capacity to improve the quality of life, emotional well-being and health of those in its care, and the Council has been awarded Beacon Status for its work in supporting independent living for disabled adults.

The CQC report identifies many areas of good practice including the high number of people supported at home through Telecare technology, the support services available to carers and the Independent Living Project for Older People which supports the housebound and isolated.

Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Social Care, said: “This report is a great credit to the whole social care team at Middlesbrough Council and our partners in the health services, care providers, carers and voluntary sector agencies.”

Meanwhile children’s services provided by Middlesbrough Council have been given a clean bill of health by Government watchdog Ofsted.

In its latest annual report on children’s services Ofsted found the Council’s performance against most indicators is in line with or above similar areas and national averages.

The Council does well in some areas of helping children stay safe, enjoy life and achieve, according Ofsted.

Children in Middlesbrough get off to a good start in school life with primary schools in Middlesbrough being good or better compared with similar areas and nationally.

Overall educational performance has improved in Middlesbrough although results at ages 11 and 16 are slightly below similar areas.

The Council does well in keeping children safe which includes timely responses to those children who are in need.

Three of the four special schools in Middlesbrough are good or better and one is adequate. The report found the Council’s fostering service is good.

Ofsted found the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training has reduced significantly and now matches similar areas.

Ofsted rated the overall effectiveness of children’s services in Middlesbrough as adequate.

Councillor Mike Carr, Executive Member for Children, Families and Learning, said: “We are pleased that Ofsted feel our children get off to a good start at school and we compare well with similar areas.

“Ofsted’s judgments on the Council’s role in safeguarding vulnerable children are reassuring.

“We continue to be absolutely determined to improve standards and raise the quality of life for all children in Middlesbrough.”

ENDS
Press Notice 0536. 08/12/09
Issued by Angus Hoy, Senior Press Officer on 01642 729502.

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