External assessments

All councils have to undergo independent, external assessments to review what we do and how well we are performing. Some of these are statutory (for example, Ofsted, CQC).

The types of assessments used to do this have changed over the last ten years but the overall aim is still to make sure that we provide good value for money.

Since 2010 all local authorities have participated in an approach called ‘sector-led improvement’ to support challenge and sharing of good practice across local government.

Care Quality Commission

The CQC (Care Quality Commission) is an independent regulator of health and social care in England. It regulates care provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies and voluntary organisations. Their aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, in hospitals, in care homes, in people's own homes, or elsewhere.

Our latest assessments are available from the Care Quality Commission website.

Ofsted - Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills

Ofsted inspects and cares for children and young people, and education and training for learners of all ages. Ofsted reports on the performance of all schools in Derby and assesses how well we are delivering services for children and young people.

The latest Ofsted reports for Derby are available from the Ofsted website.

Local Government Association

All local authorities have the opportunity to receive an independent peer challenge provided by the Local Government Association.

In June 2017, we hosted a Corporate Peer Challenge which focused on the following areas:

• Understanding of the local place and priority setting: Does the Council understand its local context and place and use that to inform a clear vision and set of priorities?
• Leadership of Place: Does the Council provide effective leadership of place through its elected members, officers and constructive relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders?
• Organisational leadership and governance: Is there effective political and managerial leadership supported by good governance and decision-making arrangements that respond to key challenges and enable change and transformation to be implemented?
• Financial planning and viability: Does the Council have a financial plan in place to ensure long term viability and is there evidence that it is being implemented successfully?
• Capacity to deliver: Is organisational capacity aligned with priorities and does the Council influence, enable and leverage external capacity to focus on agreed outcomes?

The peer team findings report identifies eleven key recommendations that we will take forward.

A follow-up visit will be held in 12 to 18 months’ time to review our progress.

View a copy of our Corporate Improvement Plan.