Inspections
The scope of our inspections will include all the social work activities of local authorities and other bodies (such as organisations providing social work services to a local authority). During the course of our inspections we will take into account the findings by other inspection and regulatory organisations.
Definition and purpose Inspection is periodic, targeted scrutiny of specific services, intended to check whether they are meeting national and local performance standards, legislative and professional requirements, and the needs of service users.
Accordingly, our purpose in carrying out inspections is to:
· Provide an objective, evidence-based assessment of how well people are being served by their social work services;
· Make a constructive contribution towards the further improvement of the services provided;
· Help safeguard the interests of people, who use services, and carers; and
· Help local authorities to develop their own approach to improving services.
Developments in inspection The initial performance inspection programme of all 32 local authority social work services will be completed in the course of 2009-10. This will provide a unique evaluation of the state of
However, whilst the purpose of performance inspection remains unaltered, the method by which it is to be carried out has changed significantly – changes that are in keeping with the Scottish Government’s approach to inspection, as shaped by the work of the Crerar review. Inspection and improvement
In accordance with this approach, the primary purpose of our scrutiny activity will be to provide independent assurance that services are well managed, safe and fit for purpose and that they represent the best value for money. However, we also recognise that scrutiny bodies in
Integrated inspection activity to date has also included:
- a multi-agency inspection of learning disability services;
- a multi-agency inspection of substance misuse services;
- multi-agency inspections of services for older people.
SWIA Inspections/Initial Scrutiny Level Assessments (ISLAs) 2009-10 (PDF,21kb)
SWIA Self Evaluation Guide (PDF,421kb)