The CAA replaces the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). The 2008 report from the Corporate Assessment (CA), which was a key part of CPA can be found under ‘other websites’.
The 2009 results are now available to view on the Oneplace website. A link can be found under 'other websites'.
What is the Comprehensive Area Assessment?
There are five key characteristics that make up the CAA:
1. It assesses what makes a real difference to people’s lives,
2. It looks at how public services work together – as well as individual organisational performance,
3. It focuses on local, as well as national, priorities,
4. It provides robust, but proportionate, assessment of local services,
5. Will report assessments directly to the public in straightforward language.
Why has the Audit Commission introduced the CAA?
• Big issues need joined up, coordinated action;
• there is a need to concentrate on outcomes achieved for local communities;
• it will reflect what matters most to local people, with particular focus on people whose circumstances make them vulnerable;
• but it needs to stimulate continuous improvement;
• and must continue to provide independent assurance that local bodies are effective and providing value for money.
The CAA’s framework has two key areas:
Area Assessment
Focuses on three key questions:
1. How well do local priorities express community needs and aspirations?
2. How well are the outcomes and improvements needed being delivered?
3. What are the prospects for improvement?
These questions will be underpinned by four themes that run through the assessment:
• sustainability;
• inequality;
• vulnerable people, and
• value for money.
Focus on priority outcomes targeted within Local Area Agreements and Sustainable Community Strategies.
Not scored but will include narrative and flags.
Green and red ‘flags’ will signal exceptional performance, improvement or innovation, and significant concerns about future outcomes.
Organisational Assessment
These assessments inform (and are informed by) the area assessment. Different public services will continue to be assessed by the relevant inspectorate – these join up to form the area assessment.
It will focus on the contribution local bodies make to improving outcomes, as well as individual performance and value for money.
Two elements
• Use of resources (Managing finance, governing the business, managing resources),
• Managing performance.
Use of Resources for the police and primary care trusts will contribute to the separate performance frameworks for police authorities and the NHS.
Assessments will be made publicly available every year and will provide an annual snapshot of quality of life in the area. The first results will appear on a new ‘one place’ website which will be launched on Thursday 10 December 2009.