To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) purpose and (b) function of (i) Joint Improvement and (ii) Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships is; and in which regions Joint Improvement Partnerships have been established. [323163]

The National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy, published in December 2007, set out the agreement with the sector that RIEPs would:

commit to supporting councils and partnerships in difficulty, ensuring resources are devoted to prevention and support;

focus resources on supporting innovation and efficiency as a means of delivering excellent LAAs;

establish strong governance arrangements that ensure strong member leadership of and engagement in the RIEP and ownership of the strategy by all members in the region;

base their regional improvement and efficiency strategy on a robust analysis of need across the region, using both data and consultation to develop the strategy; and

report annually to councils and partnerships in the region and the LGA-Government-Chief Executives’ Task Group governance structure, accounting for the distribution and use of funding and progress against priorities, and providing reassurance that these minimum standards are being met.

Supported by RIEPs and the Department of Health, the Joint Improvement Partnerships (JIPs) seek to improve adult health and social care provision through partnership working between local authorities, NHS, the voluntary and community sector, other partner organisations, and people who use services and carers. There is a JIP in every English region, and they help to share information, learning and skills; support collaborative project work; and, contribute towards workforce development in the adult social care sector.