YHN Young Peoples Service scores 18 A’s across all its services in our Service Quality Framework Inspection in August 2011.   
 
This has been retained for two years and is an improvement on our 2009 score which was 17 A’s and 1 B.

Supporting People is the government’s long term policy to enable local authorities to plan, commission and provide housing-related support services that help vulnerable people to live independently.  It provides the means through which national and local government ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community get the help and support they need.

All services which receive grants through this programme have to complete a self assessment which enables them to rate the standard of their service delivery in six areas.

The Newcastle Adult Services Commissioning team then carries out visits to the service to validate this assessment and award a score based on their visit.

This annual self-assessment workbook forms a key part of the contract review process.  It incorporates assessment against commissioning priorities, Service Quality Framework (SQF) standards, performance data and outcome measures.  This method of assessment is used for all services commissioned by Newcastle Adult Services with the exception of residential and nursing care, for which there is a separate framework.   

The SQF sets out the quality standards expected that all Newcastle services to deliver.  It enables us to evidence achievement in a structured way, and is a practical method for ensuring continuous improvement. 

The purpose of the annual self-assessment is:

• to report on the quality, performance and staffing of your service (the information will be used in conjunction with data gathered via other forms of contract monitoring by the Newcastle Commissioning team);
• to build on the findings of previous reviews and measure improvement over time;
• to identify good practice;
• to support us to achieve and maintain high standards of service delivery and encourage clients’ and stakeholders’ involvement in service development;
• to enable the Commissioning Team to address quality and performance areas across the authority;
• to enable the Commissioning Team to monitor how our service supports clients to achieve outcomes.

As well as providing information on the service we also provide information on the organisation which includes changes in staffing and management as training that staff receives.  

The Service Quality Framework 

The annual self-assessment workbook allows us to identify where the service is currently performing in relation to SQF standards.  All services should achieve at least level C.

There are 6 Core Standards within the SQF.  These are:

• C1.1 Assessment, Care & Support Planning
• C1.2 Security, Health & Safety
• C1.3 Safeguarding and Protection from Abuse
• C1.4 Fair Access, Diversity & Inclusion
• C1.5 Client Involvement & Empowerment
• C1.6 Organisation, Management, Confidentiality & Privacy

C1.1 Assessment, Care & Support Planning

This standard combines needs assessment, risk assessment and support planning and ensures involvement with our service outlines the needs of the young people at the beginning of the service and plans how we support them to achieve independence in a step by step approach. 

C1.2 Security, Health & Safety

This standard is ensures we deliver our service by keeping our staff and customers free from hazards and we minimise any risk when using our services. There is an emphasis on customers involvement in their own  health and safety.

C1.3 Safeguarding & Protection from Abuse

This standard ensures that we protect young people and their families from abuse and checks our reporting procedures work effectively.  

C1.4 Fair Access, Diversity & Inclusion

Within this section we are assessed on how people access your services and ensures we do not discriminate and stop people accessing the service when they need it. It ensures our services are promoted to minority and discriminated groups to help improve access. 

C1.5 Client Involvement and Empowerment

C1.5 is a new standard that measures our commitment to empowering clients and promoting independence.  This also includes the number of complaints we have had and how we have dealt with these.

C1.6 Organisation, Management, Confidentiality and Privacy

Standards C1.1 to C1.5 look at specific aspects of service delivery.  Standard C1.6 is a new standard that measures how well these fit into the overarching priorities of the organisation.  The standard also considers how individual providers respect client’s rights to confidentiality, privacy and maintaining dignity whist promoting independence and choice and that we maintain customers personal information confidentially. 

We are assessed on the progress we assist young people to make and the Outcomes they achieve through involvement with our service. These are closely linked to 5 outcomes from DfES Every Child Matters:

• Economic Wellbeing – how well service users manage their financial affairs to establish independent living.
• Enjoying and Achieving – how well service users achieve personal aspirations in their lives.
• Being Healthy – how well service users are able to manage their own health needs.
• Stay Safe – how well service users are able to live safely in the local community.
• Make a positive contribution – how well service users, particularly those hard to reach groups, establish their lives in the community.