Article: Adults and Communities Article Body The Adults and Communities Directorate is here to promote and maintain the health, independence and wellbeing of all adults who may need protection, care or support for any reason and to make Barnsley a better place to live, work, and play. We assess the needs of vulnerable adults, and then design a supportive care plan that maximises their quality of life, gives choice and control over the services that they receive, and promotes their social inclusion. This assistance is arranged and delivered either directly or in partnership with others, such as health providers or the independent social care sector. We provide Barnsley Connects which is a service that allows the public to ask anything about their council. Managing a 24 hour contact centre and nine service centres, we act as their first point of contact. Customers can ask about any aspect of the council, from Council Tax and Housing Benefit, to housing and regulatory services. We provide the library, information and archives service across the borough which offers a range of services to support reading, learning and leisure to all the people of the borough. The Community Safety service works closely in partnership with officers from South Yorkshire Police and Berneslai Homes to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and improve associated public perceptions. Our aim is to continue to be at the forefront of innovative best practice and effective partnership working to ensure that Barnsley remains the safe place it is. We work with elected members and partner agencies to ensure that members of the public can get involved and have their say on what's important to them. We're passionate about putting customers first and look for fresh, new ways of doing it - whether that involves working with internal and external partners to drive change, offering even greater value for money, or raising the profile of the council and the ways it can help. Our Peformance and Plans You can read more about the work of the Adults and Communities Directorate by clicking on this link and downloading our Local Account Report 2010/11. The Local Account tells you what we have achieved over the last 12 months, our priorities going forward and how we use the resources that are available to us. This is our first Local Account report and we want to find out what you think about the content and what you want to see included in future versions. To send us your views you can fill in a survey on the Council's secure online consultation portal, click on this link to open survey Local Account Consultation. If you are interested in being involved in a group to plan the content for the next Local Account please fill in your contact details on the survey. Services The following list shows the services that provided by the division "Adults and Communities". Following the links to the services below will take you to the services section of our website: Access and Support Wendy Lowder: Community Services Paul Brannan: Assistant Director Community Services Community Services works closely in partnership with officers from South Yorkshire Police and Berneslai Homes to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and improve associated public perceptions. Disability and Provider Services Disability and Provider Services form part of the Partnership in Action Barnsley arrangements and provide integrated health and social care services to meet statutory functions under the NHS and Community Care Act and the strategic priorities of Valuing People and Valuing People Now for adults with a learning disability in Barnsley. Strategic Planning and Joint Commissioning Information on how Barnsley Council are leading on market development and facilitation of the local care market which includes working with service providers, community groups and communities to stimulate the social care market. Vulnerable Adults Kath Harris: Assistant Director Vulnerable Adults The Adults and Communities Directorate provides social care assessment, advice and support to adults who need some help to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.