There were two notable reactions to the news (reported here and here) that Southwark Council's adult social services were rated "adequate" with an "uncertain" capacity to improve by the Care Quality Commission.
The first was the political reaction, particularly from Labour in the borough, who made the most of the news in order to help inform the tight campaign that is being run in the borough ahead of the local elections next year. They noted the change from 2007/08's rating of 'excellent' to the latest year's 'adequate' rating and put the blame solely at the feet of the current administration — it being a Tory-Lib Dem run borough — and noting that said administration had put Southwark's Chief Executive, Annie Sheppard, up to defend the borough in the media. Indeed, as of approximately 10pm on the day the report was published (i.e. today), the local Southwark Lib Dems had said nothing on the matter.
The second was the reaction of the Chief Executive, as the representative of all of her staff. This reaction is robust, challenges the findings of the Care Quality Commission's report and makes a compelling case for the improvement of Southwark's social services over the last year, and in particular since the inspections were carried out in April and May of this year.
What motivates both of these reactions are polar opposites, though perfectly justifiable: Labour wants to capitalise on bad news for the Tories-Lib Dems, whilst the Chief Executive wants to defend her and her officers' reputation against refutable charges.
To my mind, they are both justified and both correct in their respective reactions. Political accountability and operational responsibility can be awkward bedfellows, but they also make for intriguing local arrangements.
