COUNCIL CARE INVESTIGATION HIGHLIGHTS SERIOUS CONCERNS AS INSPECTORS FORCED TO BLOW WHISTLE ON THEFT CASE

1.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Jul 2008

Cllr Kath Pinnock, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

An independent investigation into social care services provided by Kirklees Council has raised serious concerns, according to a senior Lib Dem Councillor.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection carried out an investigation into Kirklees Council's social care services in April 2008. The report, which was discussed by Cabinet on Monday 28th July, details a list of concerns including:

• Evidence that the Council did not check that all carers who work with vulnerable people had received proper background checks;

• A statement included in a case report that a family would have to 'rally around' if there was a crisis;

• Examples of people with learning disabilities being moved without consultation;

• Little involvement from the Council with people who were on long term work placements;

• Poor reporting and recording practices when complaints were made; and

• An incident of theft that was not investigated until the inspectors themselves raised the issue.

Cllr Kath Pinnock, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, has now voiced concerns about how the Conservatives are managing care services in Kirklees.

Cllr Pinnock said "I think this report is really worrying. The overall assessment is that when it comes to keeping adults safe, Kirklees is just adequate. We are talking about some of our most vulnerable people and adequate is not good enough.

"When you think that the Tories have repeatedly told us we are the best council in the country it is even more shocking that Cllr Bates has not taken steps to make sure that our care users are safe and protected.

"I would like to know what the Conservatives are doing to put this right."