Not that long ago, the Social Services Department provided all social care services directly.  Recent years have seen a major shift towards integrated partnership working, particularly with the Health Service.  So, whilst the County Council retains the statutory responsibility for providing (and funding) social care services, day-to-day delivery is increasingly done by our partners.

In 2002, Social Services staff working in the mental health field were transferred to the newly created Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health NHS Trust.

Delivery of all occupational therapy (OT) services became the responsibility of the Primary Care Trusts in 2003 ("OT"s help people with disabilities by arranging loans of equipment, adaptations to property, giving advice, etc)

Since April 2004, the Primary Care Trusts have also become responsible for the delivery of older people's services.

In all these areas, the County Council retains a strong "client side" role, setting the overall quality standards and performance targets to be achieved.

Integrated services for children and young people are now well developed.  In April 2005, children's social care, education and youth offending services were brought together in the  Office of Children and Young People's Services.  The Connexions service was integrated in April 2006 and from October 2006 staff from the two local Sure Start programmes joined the Office on secondment.  A network of multi-disciplinary locality teams has been established and much closer working with children's health services will be achieved over the next few years.

Adult social care has been delivered by the Office of Environment and Community Service since April 2005.  Social care services are available for adults with disabilities, both physical disabilities and sensory impairments.  Also, through the Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership, set up in 2001, the County Council manages an integrated social care and health service for people with learning disabilities.