SSRG Newsletter - August 2001: ADSS Information Management Group (IMG)

Report from June meeting

National social services conference -invitation to participate This conference takes place in Harrogate from 17-19 October (see last Newsletter for further details) Like last year the IMG will be organising an Information Exchange throughout the conference with the support of Sheridan Systems Limited. It is important that the Exchange has lots of information about work going on across the country. If you want to tell other people about any work or projects you are currently involved in, or have completed in the last 12 months, please let Patricia Walker know and she will pass the information on to Simon Lowles, the IMG Support Officer. If you submitted any information to the Exchange last year can you also let Patricia know about any updates to that information.

Patricia Walker can be contacted at the Policy Team, Haringey Social Services, 40 Cumberland Road, London N22 7SQ email patricia.walker@haringey.gov.uk tel 0208 489 3062.

More information on the conference and the Information Exchange can be seen at the ADSS IMG website. www.ssimg.freeserve.co.uk/

Local Information Planning

There was a report on developments within Information for Social Care. The Department of Health guidance on Local Information Planning had just been issued (June 2001). This is a follow up to circular LAQ2001)9 which requires all Councils with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSR) to prepare a local information strategy and capital investment plan for submission to the Department of Health by October 2001. The local information strategy and capital investment plans will be used by the Department of Health to decide about the allocation and use of the money in future years. There should be £50 million available over the next two years (2002/03 and 2003/04).

Fifty-five possible demonstrator projects had been submitted and the Programme Board was meeting after the IMG meeting to make decisions about the projects. The Board was also looking at capital funding allocations and development of a communications strategy. The guidance, and other documentation in relation to Information in Social Care, is available via Department of Health website doh.gov.uk/scg/information.htm. The guidance can also be accessed via the ADSS IMG website.

Planning for Department of Health Management Information Inspection There was an update on the planning for this inspection. The purpose of the inspection will be to:

• establish how far councils have developed management information systems that support the modernisation of social services;
• identify good practice in the development of management information systems;
• monitor progress on the implementation of Information for Social Care and e-government: a strategic framework for public services in the Information Age.
• establish the extent to which CSSRs are prepared for the safe exchange of information across organisational boundaries.

Five main standards have now been set each with a number of criteria. The possible time scale is for an initial inspection between September-December 2001, briefing in January 2002 with the main inspection taking place from April to July 2002. The national report should be produced between January and March 2003. The sample of local authorities to be inspected has not yet been announced.

Caldicott into Social Care (CSC)

There was a progress report on preparations for the introduction of Caldicott principles and guardians into social care this autumn.. A number of workshops had taken place across the country with 57% of social services departments taking part. Further publicity and presentations are planned. Information about Caldicott and confidentiality, including the report and consultation paper can be found on the Department of Health website www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexipu/confiden/index. htm. This can also be reached via the ADSS IMG website.

Wales and Scotland

Three presentations were made to the meeting. They were on the Wales Performance Management Project, the Scotland Data Standards Project and the Scotland e-Care Project. They focused on the developments around performance management, information and information strategies and e-government that have taken place and are planned in Scotland and Wales. These presentations and/or briefing papers are available on the ADSS IMG website.

Information Strategy for Older People

There was also a presentation on this strategy as part of informal consultation taking place with key stakeholders during June and July. This is available on the ADSS IMG website.

Patricia Walker