Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), is a new way of assessing local public services in England. It examines how well councils are working together with other public bodies to meet the needs of the people they serve. It's a joint assessment made by a group of six independent watchdogs. Assessments will be made publicly available every year and will provide an annual snapshot of quality of life in the area. The first results are now available on the new Oneplace website, launched on Wednesday 9 December 2009.
The CAA framework document sets out how CAA is being delivered. CAA was developed, and is being delivered, jointly by the main public sector inspectorates which are:
In April 2009, the Care Quality Commission took over from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Healthcare Commission and Mental Health Act Commission.
If you have any questions about CAA, please complete our enquiry form.
Background to CAA:
In October 2006, the government released its White Paper on public sector reform, Strong and prosperous communities.
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 put much of this in place. This sets out the new local performance framework within which the development of CAA is one key element.
In April 2007, government departments commissioned the main public sector inspectorates to work together to develop and introduce CAA. They were also charged with making any other changes they saw necessary in order to implement the White Paper and to produce more coordinated and better targeted inspection and assessment.
The partner inspectorates worked together and with stakeholders to develop a single approach and working arrangements that will deliver a truly joint assessment.
Links to Local Economic Assessments:
