Practical Commissioning's Jargon Buster explains the meaning of the term 'Comprehensive Area Assessment'.
Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) is a new performance management system that will assess how well local services are working together to improve the quality of life for local people.
From April 2009, all the different public sector arms will have been evaluated through a single assessment that will include how effectively resources have been invested and the extent to which improved outcomes for service users have been achieved.
CAA presents a formidable challenge to local authorities as it will reflect the performance outcomes of partners that are outside their direct control.
CAA is being developed by a new partnership of seven inspectorates that will work together to joint CAA judgments: the Audit Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection, Healthcare Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, HM Inspectorate of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Probation, and Ofsted.
