Saturday, 6 September 2008
The Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) compares local councils and measures how well they are delivering and improving services to local communities. The Corporate Assessment report is one element of the overall assessment that leads to the CPA score and category.
In 2005 a 'harder test' was introduced by the Audit Commission to ensure that there was greater emphasis on outcomes for local people and value for money.
The Audit Commission published Doncaster Council's latest Corporate Assessment in October 2006.
The report confirms that Doncaster Council is demonstrating a 2 star out of 4 star overall performance and is improving adequately. The Audit Commission report acknowledges that Doncaster is an ambitious council, with strong leadership and has a realistic vision in place.
In addition to the Corporate Assessment, the Joint Area Review and the Enhanced Youth Service Inspection have also been published.
The Joint Area Review (JAR) is linked to the overall CPA process and rating and looks at the way local services contribute to the well being of children and young people. The JAR focuses on the extent to which children and young people are healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and are well prepared to secure economic well being.
This year the Council was graded 2 star out of 4 star for its services for children and young people. The Ofsted report acknowledges that children and young people within Doncaster were safe and that we worked well with other agencies to protect those at most risk. Also noted were significant improvements in educational attainment.
The Enhanced Youth Service Inspection was carried out as part of the JAR. The report credits the authority for putting young people at the heart of its development and rates the service as 'outstanding'.
The report congratulates the Council for having "significant strengths" including matching the curriculum to the needs of the users, providing an environment where youth work can flourish and youth workers can provide first rate support to young people. Leadership and management are also judged as excellent and the service is rated as very good value for money.
