Improvements to care and support across Rotherham

The assessments show that Rotherham services' work to support adult health and well-being has seen improvements over the last 12 months. That improvement has been achieved despite the national austerity measures which saw a reduction of £6 million in Rotherham's funding for those services.

The council has used customer feedback and experience to redesign services and develop innovative, award winning approaches to respond and support much quicker to customer's needs.  These improvements have led to:

• Almost 7,500 people had their needs reviewed - 400 more than last year and most of those on a face-to-face basis
• 5,750 people had the opportunity to access services of their choice via a personal budget - an increase of 1,600
• Over 5,000 new people requiring care and support had their care needs assessed
• 97.5% (an increase of more than 350 people) received their care services within 28 days following their care assessment
• 98.5% of alerts of adult safeguarding concerns were addressed within 24 hours (an increase of 14.5%)

A national survey of service users in Rotherham has also shown satisfaction rates increase.  This now rates Rotherham as one of the best in the country with regards to improving their quality of life and satisfaction with the care and support provided.

Councillor John Doyle, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "These results show that our vulnerable adults are getting their needs assessed and getting access to help and support quickly and efficiently.

"With the financial challenges that the Council and our partners face we have to find new ways of working and innovative ways of offering services and we are committed to having the highest standards of care available to people across the Borough."