Social Services system implementation review

 The project issues
The Council was in the process of implementing a Social Services system and wanted independent verification that the implementation was technologically robust and was being effectively embedded within Social Services business processes, for both Adults and Children’s Services. Socitm Consulting was asked to review the implementation project and make recommendations for improvement.

The Socitm Consulting solution
We examined the implementation from the perspectives of project governance, relationship with the supplier, internal infrastructure and plans for project completion.

We held one-to-one interviews with key Council staff, the supplier and with other local authorities who had implemented the same system. We analysed the identified issues against our experience of the application, central government criteria for Social Services systems functionality and project management best practice.

We then made a series of recommendations, which included a timetable for managing the remaining system implementation, the introduction of ‘super-users’ within the service departments that could take responsibility for ensuring future business processes are supported, alignment of support infrastructure with wider Council policy, central resource requirements and continuity plans for the key implementation of social care finance modules.

The Council reviewed the report’s findings and a final version was produced and accepted which included a timetable for implementing the recommendations.

The benefits to the client
We were able to assist the Council in developing a clear road map for completing the implementation and benefits realisation of a complex Social Services application. The Council commented that our review process was very effective and focused on its requirements, enabling it to move towards the final phase of its exploitation of a Social Systems system aimed at improving the delivery of social care within the London Borough.

Project identification
Client organisation: London Borough of Sutton
Client contact: Nick O'Reilly, Head of IT - Resources Group, 0208 770 5839, nick.oreilly@sutton.gov.uk 
Lead consultant: colin.gunner@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 6196