This page provides an overview of social care in Barnsley, along with key metrics that could affect social care. Understanding these metrics is important because they help contextualise the challenges with social care provision in each local authority. These statistics are important to keep in mind when reviewing the other pages.
Why are these metrics important? Population size and density can affect the demand for social care services. For example, if a local authority has a high population (relative to other areas), it may need to allocate more resources to meet care needs. Similarly, areas with high population density may require more care services due to the increased number of people living in close proximity. Inversely, areas with a low population density may have fewer care needs, but residents may face challenges accessing services due to the distance between them. Lastly, people in rural areas might live further away from services, which can impact their ability to access care, or make it more expensive to provide.
Understanding these metrics can help local authorities plan and allocate resources effectively.
Deprivation decile is a measure of the level of deprivation in a local authority. It is calculated by ranking areas in England from 1 (most deprived) to 10 (least deprived) based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A higher decile indicates lower levels of deprivation, while a lower decile suggests higher levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation levels can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Deprivation rank is a measure of the relative deprivation of a local authority compared to other areas in England. It is calculated by ranking areas from 1 (most deprived) to 32,844 (least deprived) Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA), which can be thought of as “small areas”. This rank is based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A lower rank indicates higher levels of deprivation, while a higher rank suggests lower levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation ranks can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Many people want care, some receive care, but a significant number go without. What types of care are being requested? What care is actually provided? This section explores the gap between need and provision, the types of care available, and how our own data contributes to the understanding of these challenges.
Access Social Care and other Helplines providers are working to bridge this gap by providing free legal support to people who are struggling to access social care services. This first chart illustrates the types of calls we are getting.
The rest of this page distingushes between the different types of care provided to Working Age People and Older People, as we are able to disaggregate at a greater level of granularity.
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
This plot shows a breakdown of the types of requests for assistance received by Access Social Care and other helplines. Understanding the themes of these calls can identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to housing may indicate a need for more affordable housing options, while a high number of calls related to social care assessments may suggest a need for improved access to care services. The request types are:
Assessments: An assessment is a meeting or form to find out what help someone needs with daily tasks.
Care Plan: A care plan is a written agreement that lists the support you’ll get and who to contact if things change.
Carers: Carers are people who help a disabled or ill person with daily tasks.
Charging: Charging refers to checking if you can afford to pay for some of your care based on your savings.
Information Seeking: Information seeking means getting advice about available care options.
Legal Issues and Complaints: Legal issues and complaints involve reporting problems with your care to the council or an ombudsman.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is protecting people from abuse or neglect.
Of course, high numbers also mean that people know where to call, and this number can be impacted by advocacy efforts. As a counterpoint, areas with low numbers may indicate a lack of awareness of available services or a need for more outreach to connect people with support.
To protect privacy, our minimum bin size is 5, which means that if we field 1-5 queries on a topic, we display 5.
Are you a helpline and would like to combine data resources? Let us know!
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
Working Age People
Knowing how many people are requesting social care, how many people are recieving care and what percent of people are disabled helps understand need and social care provision at a top level. For example, a high number of people requesting care may indicate a need for additional resources or services, while a low number of people receiving care may suggest a gap in service provision. Understanding these metrics can help identify areas where additional support may be needed.
MW was diagnosed with Functional Chronic Pain, she cannot walk without support, she holds on to her furniture to move around the house. She uses a wheelchair, especially when she goes out, with support from friends and family. She lives on second floor with 5 flights because of the way the building is designed and there is no lift. She never goes out because of the difficulties she experiences with the stairs. She needs help with cooking, cleaning, shopping and showering. She relies on friends and her mum who has knee replacement.
She was referred by the Social Prescriber who referred her onto also referred her to Croydon Adult Support, they told her they are short of staff to allocate her a social worker, so she was placed on a long waiting list. MW case still hadn’t progressed until the Social Prescriber, who had been recently trained on the Care Act, referred her to Access Social Care’s free legal Chatbot letter clinic.
The legal clinic volunteer completed a letter to Croydon Council with MW within a week which was sent to Adult Social Services. Access Social Care then called her after two weeks to complete a follow up survey. MW informed them that she had had an assessment and was waiting to hear back from Croydon following the panel meeting. Social Services has now done the assessment after which the panel offered MW 9 hours of social care support.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
This plot shows the types of care provided to working-age people in Barnsley. Understanding the types of care available can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving personal care may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a high number of people receiving respite care may suggest a need for additional support for carers.
ASCFR and SALT Data Tables 2023-24 Sheet T34
Barnsley has a higher proportion of people with disabilities than the national average. The age-standardised proportion of disability in Barnsley is 22.1%, while across England it is 17.6%. This means that more people in Barnsley may need support services related to disability.
In 2024, there were 3,265 requests for care from working-age people in Barnsley. This is 1,314 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 1,143 per 100,000. This suggests that more people in Barnsley are seeking help compared to other areas.
Despite this, only 1,075 people aged 18 to 64 received care services in Barnsley in 2024. This is 433 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 533 per 100,000. This could mean that fewer people are getting the help they need in Barnsley.
Looking at different types of care, Barnsley has fewer people receiving nursing care. In 2024, 20 people received nursing care, which is 8 per 100,000 people, less than the national average of 14 per 100,000. For residential care, Barnsley had 140 people receiving services, which is 56 per 100,000 people, slightly below the national average of 61 per 100,000.
In community care with direct payments only, Barnsley had 285 people, which is 115 per 100,000 people, close to the national average of 122 per 100,000. For community care with part direct payments, Barnsley is higher than average, with 62 per 100,000 people compared to 48 per 100,000 nationally.
Barnsley has fewer people using council-managed personal budgets for community care. The rate is 97 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average of 267 per 100,000. This might mean that fewer people in Barnsley are accessing this type of support.
However, more people in Barnsley are receiving community care through council-commissioned support only. The rate is 93 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 58 per 100,000. This suggests that this type of service is more common in Barnsley.
In 2025, requests for help with assessments and mental capacity were higher in Barnsley. The rates were 2.42 and 0.81 per 100,000 people, compared to national averages of 1.72 and 0.59 per 100,000. This indicates a greater need for these services in Barnsley.
Barnsley has higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 3.82, lower than the national average of 5.9. Higher deprivation can be linked to greater health needs and disability. Barnsley is also less densely populated, with 743 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5. This may affect the accessibility of services.
The data suggests that while more people in Barnsley are requesting care, fewer are receiving it compared to the national average. This could point to unmet needs in the population. Service providers might need to allocate more resources to support disabled people in Barnsley.
✨ ✅ ❌Older People
Just like with Working Age people, knowing how many older people are requesting social care, how many people are recieving care and what percent of the population is 65+ helps understand need and social care provision at a top level.
Jamaican female, blind and in her 40s. She was in an emergency Bed & Breakfast with her Niece, who acts as her unofficial carer, she is unable to work but would like to go to University. She is receiving PIP but not the Daily Living Allowance which she applied for in June 2021. She is vulnerable and has a history of self harm so was assigned a rehab Support Worker. Vanessa supported her using the Chatbot to chase up her PIP Daily Living allowance application, after waiting for several months and they received a reply within a week but was awarded the lower rate.
Another Chatbot letter was sent to request an urgent assessment due to her vulnerability and this was action quickly by the LA. Vanessa also supported her to use the chatbot and ask the Social worker to be moved to a place that supports her needs and rights. As she was having to use a shared bathroom, toilet and kitchen in a place with drug/alcohol abusers and being blind with no carer, this left her vulnerable. The Chatbot was used again to raise this issue and after a few weeks she was successfully moved to a private property in another area.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
As above, it is important to see what type of care older people are being provided because it can help explain where additional work is needed.
ASCFR and SALT Data Tables 2023-24 Sheet T34
From 2019 to 2023, the percentage of older people in Barnsley has grown steadily. In 2019, it was 19.36%, and by 2023, it reached 19.96%. This means that nearly one in five people in Barnsley is an older adult. During the same period, the national average in England ranged from 18.4% to 18.9%. In 2023, England's average was 18.5%, so Barnsley has a higher proportion of older people than the country as a whole.
In 2024, there were 6,600 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Barnsley. This is equal to 2,656 requests per 100,000 people. The national average was 2,437 requests per 100,000 people. More older people in Barnsley are asking for help compared to the average in England. This could mean that there is a higher need for care services in Barnsley.
Also in 2024, 2,650 older people in Barnsley received care services. This is 1,066 people per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 1,002 per 100,000. This suggests that more older people in Barnsley are getting the help they need compared to other parts of England.
The types of care include nursing, residential, and community support. In Barnsley, 70 older people received nursing care, which is 28 people per 100,000. This is lower than the national average of 122 per 100,000. However, 1,160 people received residential care, which is 467 per 100,000. This is higher than the national average of 250 per 100,000. This means that more older people in Barnsley are living in care homes compared to the rest of England.
Community care services are also important. In Barnsley, 75 people received direct payments only, and 65 had part direct payments. Additionally, 920 people used managed personal budgets, and 355 had commissioned support only. The number of people using managed personal budgets (370 per 100,000) is lower than the national average (508 per 100,000). This might mean that fewer older people in Barnsley are managing their own care budgets.
Barnsley's population has been growing, from 243,558 in 2019 to 248,449 in 2023. This increase could contribute to the rising number of older people. The population density is 743 people per square kilometre, which is lower than the England average of 2,469 people. This means Barnsley is less crowded than other areas.
Barnsley has a higher level of deprivation than the average in England. The mean deprivation decile is 3.82, while England's average is 5.9. A lower decile indicates more deprivation. This could affect the health and care needs of older people. The area is also less rural, with 20% rural land compared to 34.6% in England. This might influence access to services for older residents.
The increasing number of older people in Barnsley means that demand for care services is likely to grow. With more requests for care and higher numbers of people receiving care than the national average, local services may need more resources. The higher number of older people in residential care suggests a greater reliance on care homes. This could be due to a lack of alternative care options or higher needs among the older population.
The lower use of managed personal budgets indicates that older people in Barnsley may be less involved in managing their own care. This could be due to lack of information or support. The higher levels of deprivation may lead to greater health problems, increasing the need for care services. Service providers might need to focus on these issues and plan accordingly. Ensuring that older people have access to the care they need is important for the well-being of the community.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
This report looks at unpaid carers in Barnsley. We will see how many unpaid carers there are, how they feel about social contact, the support they get, and how easy it is for them to find information. We will also consider Barnsley's population, how crowded it is, and how deprived the area is.
In 2021, Barnsley had about 10,099 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. The average in England was around 8,204 per 100,000 people. This means Barnsley has more unpaid carers than many other places. With a population of about 244,887 in 2021, there were around 24,725 unpaid carers in Barnsley. This higher number might mean that more people in Barnsley are caring for family members or friends without pay. This could be because of higher needs in the community or fewer paid care services available.
In 2024, 31.3% of carers in Barnsley said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is a bit higher than the England average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Barnsley might feel less lonely or more connected to others. Good social contact can help carers feel supported and reduce stress.
Carers in Barnsley receive different kinds of support. In 2024, about 382 carers per 100,000 people got direct payments. This is more than the England average of about 150 per 100,000 people. Direct payments give carers money to help them buy services or things they need.
Also, about 366 carers per 100,000 people in Barnsley received information and advice. This is slightly more than the England average of 339 per 100,000 people. This means carers in Barnsley can find help and guidance more easily.
Barnsley also provides respite care. This is when someone else cares for the person, so the carer can have a break. About 302 carers per 100,000 people in Barnsley got this support, much higher than the England average of 70 per 100,000 people. This helps carers rest and take care of themselves.
Fewer carers in Barnsley received no direct support. Only about 111 carers per 100,000 people got no support, compared to the England average of about 130 per 100,000 people. This shows that more carers in Barnsley are getting some help.
In 2024, 60% of carers in Barnsley said it was easy to find information about services. This is slightly higher than the England average of 59.3%. This suggests that carers know where to look for help and can get the information they need.
Barnsley's population has been growing. In 2019, it was about 243,558, and by 2023, it was around 248,449. The area has about 743 people per square kilometre. This is less crowded than the England average of 2,468 people per square kilometre.
Barnsley has a deprivation score of 3.82, lower than the England average of 5.9. A lower score means more deprivation. This means Barnsley is more deprived than many other places. Higher deprivation can lead to more health problems and greater need for care. It might also mean fewer paid care options, so more people become unpaid carers.
Because there are more unpaid carers in Barnsley, it's important to support them. The higher levels of support in Barnsley, like direct payments and respite care, help carers manage their duties. Making sure carers have social contact and can find information easily also helps them cope better.
The higher number of unpaid carers might mean there is a higher demand for care services. Providing more support can help carers continue their important work. It can also improve their well-being and the well-being of the people they care for.
Barnsley has more unpaid carers than the national average. Carers in Barnsley seem to get good support and have slightly better social contact. They also find it a bit easier to access information. Because Barnsley is more deprived, continuing to provide support to carers is very important. This helps carers and ensures that people who need care receive it.
✨ ✅ ❌Care providers are essential for delivering social care services, including home care agencies and care homes. The quality of care they provide can vary significantly, impacting the well-being of service users. This section examines the number and types of care providers, their quality ratings, and some of the difficulties of maintaining high standards. Understanding these metrics is crucial for ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive high-quality care.
The number and types of care providers in a local authority can impact the availability and quality of social care services. Understanding the distribution of care providers directly influences people’s ability to get the care they need.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates care providers based on their quality of care, safety, and effectiveness. Understanding the quality ratings of care providers can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of care providers with low ratings may indicate a need for improved training and support, while a high number of care providers with high ratings may suggest that existing services are effective.
Framework rates are the agreed prices that local authorities pay care providers for social care services, such as home care and residential care. These rates are crucial because they determine the affordability, availability, and quality of care in a city. If rates are too low, providers may struggle to sustain services, leading to workforce shortages, poor care quality, and limited access for those relying on council-funded care.
Understanding framework rates helps assess whether local authorities are adequately funding social care, ensuring fair pay for care workers, and maintaining a sustainable care market that meets residents’ needs.
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Several providers are finding it increasingly difficult to stay in business, and sometimes several providers collapse at once. For example, when pay rises are approved without consultation and effective immediately, providers may not be able to afford to pay their staff. This can cause a chain-effect which leads to collapse in the market, and a lack of care for those who need it.
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Workforce turnover rate is a measure of the number of staff leaving a care provider over a specific period. High turnover rates can indicate issues with staff retention, such as low pay, poor working conditions, or lack of training and support. Understanding workforce turnover rates can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed to improve staff retention and ensure high-quality care services.
NOTE: This data series is based on regional data
Staff retention is crucial for maintaining high-quality care services. Understanding the challenges faced by care providers in retaining staff can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of care providers struggling to retain staff may indicate a need for improved training and support, while a low number of care providers facing retention challenges may suggest that existing services are effective.
This dataset describes the results of a survey asking care providers about their challenges in retaining staff.
NOTE: This data series is based on regional data
Workforce_survey_data_tables, Tab 6_2
Vacancy rate is a measure of the number of unfilled positions within a care provider over a specific period. High vacancy rates can indicate issues with staff recruitment, such as low pay, poor working conditions, or lack of training and support. Understanding vacancy rates can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed to improve staff recruitment and ensure high-quality care services.
Recruiting staff is essential for maintaining high-quality care services, and for backfilling staff when they leave. Understanding the challenges faced by care providers in recruiting staff can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of care providers struggling to recruit staff may indicate a need for improved training and support, or can point to a systemic problem, such as low pay, poor working conditions, or not enough people interested in this job type.
Staff recruitment is important as it’s one of the areas that have levers to pull outside of social care, for example, by changing how many visas are awarded to social care workers.
NOTE: This data series is based on regional data
Workforce_survey_data_tables, Tab 6_2
In 2024, Barnsley had 39 community-based adult social care services and 71 residential social care providers. Compared to the national averages of 63.8 and 91 respectively, Barnsley has fewer community-based providers but a higher number of residential care providers relative to its population size. With a population of 248,449 in 2023, Barnsley has about 15.7 community-based providers per 100,000 people, slightly below the national rate of 16.9. However, for residential care, Barnsley offers approximately 28.6 providers per 100,000 people, exceeding the national average of 24.1.
The higher concentration of residential care providers suggests a greater demand or emphasis on residential services in Barnsley. This could be linked to the local population structure or specific community needs. Factors such as an ageing population or limited access to community-based support might contribute to this demand.
In terms of quality, 22.7% of care providers in Barnsley were rated as needing improvement or inadequate in 2024. This is notably higher than the national average of 16.8%. The higher proportion indicates potential issues in the standard of care provided locally. Challenges such as staffing shortages or resource limitations might be affecting the ability of providers to meet required standards.
Staff turnover in Barnsley's care sector stood at 25.2% in 2023/24, aligning closely with the regional average of 25.2%. While turnover rates are comparable, 70.5% of providers in Barnsley reported that retaining staff has become more challenging or much more challenging, slightly above the regional figure of 68.1%. This highlights growing difficulties in keeping experienced staff within the sector.
Recruitment poses an even greater challenge. In 2024, 82.5% of providers in Barnsley found recruiting staff more challenging or much more challenging, surpassing the regional average of 79.8%. Despite these hurdles, Barnsley's vacancy rate was 7.6% in 2023/24, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. This suggests that while recruiting is difficult, providers are managing to fill positions more effectively than elsewhere.
Barnsley's mean deprivation decile was 3.82 in 2019, compared to the national mean of 5.9, indicating higher levels of deprivation. This economic disadvantage can impact both the demand for social care services and the resources available to providers. Deprivation may lead to increased care needs among residents, placing additional pressure on services.
The population density in Barnsley was 743.3 residents per square kilometre in 2021, significantly lower than the national average of 2,468.5. With only 20% of its area classified as rural, Barnsley is more urbanised than much of England. The urban setting may influence the types of services required and the accessibility of care facilities for residents.
Barnsley's care sector faces notable challenges, particularly in staffing and quality of care. The higher proportion of providers needing improvement suggests a need for targeted support to enhance service standards. Staffing difficulties, both in recruitment and retention, are likely contributing factors to these quality issues. Despite these challenges, Barnsley maintains a lower vacancy rate, indicating some success in filling positions quickly.
The local context of higher deprivation and specific population needs may drive the increased reliance on residential care services. Addressing the underlying factors contributing to staffing challenges and supporting providers could improve care quality. Policymakers and stakeholders might consider investing in workforce development and resource allocation to meet Barnsley's unique needs.
✨ ✅ ❌Historically, hospital delays have been due in large part, to the inability to discharge patients into social care. We no longer have DTOC data, but we can still look at the number of hospital delays and the number of facilities requiring improvement.
CQC, as the regulator of health and social care services in England, is beginning to rate Local Authorities on their social care provision. Understanding the CQC rating of a local authority should be used as the most official evaluation of service care provision. For example, a low rating may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high rating may suggest that existing services are effective.
Hospital delays can have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes, and are in large part the result of not having invested sufficiently in social care. Understanding the number of hospital delays in a local authority can be a sympthom of a poorly working social care sector. For example, a high number of hospital delays may indicate a need for improved discharge planning and coordination, not enough places to discharge people to, lack of sufficient staff to assess patients, or a lack of care providers.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
This metric illustrates how long patients are delayed in hospital before being discharged. Higher average delays mean that patients are spending more time in hospital than necessary, which can lead to increased costs, reduced bed availability, and poorer patient outcomes. This also means that the beds are not available for people that might desperately need them for life-saving procedures.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) refers to the time between a patient being declared medically fit for discharge and actually leaving the hospital. Understanding the number of DTOCs in a local authority can help identify precisely where the social care system is failing.
Unfortunately, this dataset is no longer being generated.
Reablement is a short-term service that helps people regain independence and confidence after a period of illness or injury. Understanding the number of people receiving reablement services can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving reablement services may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a low number of people receiving reablement services may suggest that existing services are effective.
Coming soon!
Service user satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of social care services. Understanding service user satisfaction can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of service user satisfaction may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high level of service user satisfaction may suggest that existing services are effective.
It is important to note that the people surveyed are already receiving service care. Notably absent are all the people that are not yet lucky enough to be receiving care.
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 1
Access to information is crucial for people using social care services to navigate the system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for people to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of people finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 13
An ombudsman is a person who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and organisations. The number of cases received and decided by the Ombudsman is important because it provides insight into the volume of complaints about a local authority’s social care services and how effectively these complaints are being addressed. The number of cases received indicates the level of dissatisfaction or systemic issues within a council’s care provision, while the number of cases decided shows how efficiently the Ombudsman is processing and resolving complaints. A large gap between the two may suggest delays in complaint handling, leaving individuals waiting.
It is important to note that contacting the Ombudsman is widely considered a last resort, often discouraged, and sometimes penalised.
Barnsley, with a population of about 248,449 in 2023, is smaller than the average area in England. It has fewer people per square kilometre (743.3) compared to the England average (2,468.5), making it less densely populated.
In November 2024, Barnsley had a high rate of delayed discharges from hospitals. About 39.1% of discharges were delayed, while the national average was 12.3%. The average delay in Barnsley was 2.14 days, compared to the national average of 0.7 days. This suggests that patients in Barnsley are staying longer in hospitals after they are ready to leave.
This delay could be due to several factors. Barnsley has a higher level of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 3.82, compared to the England average of 5.9. Higher deprivation can affect health services, possibly leading to more complex health needs and challenges in providing timely care after hospital stays.
Despite the delays in hospital discharges, people in Barnsley reported higher satisfaction with their care and support services. In 2024, 71.2% of respondents said they were satisfied, compared to the national average of 64.7%. This indicates that, overall, residents feel positively about the care they receive.
However, another source reported that 57% of people in Barnsley were dissatisfied with social care. This contrast suggests that while many are happy with certain services, there may be specific areas needing improvement.
In 2024, 67.5% of people using services in Barnsley felt it was easy to find information about those services. This is slightly below the national average of 68.2%. Improving access to information could help more people get the support they need promptly.
The number of complaints made to the ombudsman in Barnsley was lower than the national average. There were 1.21 complaints received and 1.61 decided per 100,000 people, compared to 4.45 and 4.12 respectively for England. This might suggest fewer issues with services, or it could mean that people are less likely to make formal complaints.
The higher satisfaction rates in Barnsley, despite delays in hospital discharges, could be influenced by the community's expectations or the quality of care once services are accessed. The lower rate of complaints might indicate a general contentment with services or possible barriers to making complaints.
Barnsley's higher levels of deprivation might contribute to the challenges faced by health and social care services. Deprivation can lead to greater demand for services and more complex health needs, which can strain resources and affect service delivery.
The data suggests that Barnsley could benefit from focusing on reducing delays in hospital discharges. This might involve improving coordination between hospitals and community services. Enhancing access to information about services could also help residents receive timely support.
Considering the higher satisfaction levels, it is important to maintain the aspects of care that residents value. Addressing the areas of dissatisfaction, as highlighted by the other source, could further improve the overall quality of care.
While Barnsley faces challenges with delayed hospital discharges and access to information, the higher satisfaction rates indicate strengths in other areas of care. Focusing on reducing delays and improving information accessibility could enhance service delivery and meet the community's needs more effectively.
✨ ✅ ❌We need to understand how much money is being spent on social care, and what this provides. First, let’s look at values reported by local authorities.
Gross Current Expenditure (2023-24) captures the total operational cost of services, indicating overall demand and financial commitment. This includes spending on residential and non-residential care, direct payments, and other social care services. Understanding gross expenditure helps assess the scale of social care provision and financial pressures on local authorities.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
This figure reflects the net cost of social care provision to the local authority, indicating the extent of financial support required to meet service demands. Understanding net expenditure helps assess the financial sustainability of social care services and the commitment level of the local authority.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Client Contributions, otherwise known as “Charging”, show the extent to which service users offset costs. Understanding client contributions helps assess the financial burden on individuals and the local authority, highlighting the need for fair and equitable funding mechanisms.
It is important to note that not all local authorities charge for social care services, and that charging can be a barrier to accessing care for some individuals.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Income from NHS reflects external funding and collaboration with the health sector. Understanding NHS contributions helps understand the level of integration between health and social care.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Budget Cuts indicate financial constraints and potential service reductions. Sometimes, budget cuts are explicit, but other times, they aren’t mentioned directly, making tracking this information difficult to access.
As such, this data is not consistently available for all local authorities.
Access Social Care have made a series of Freedom of Information requests about the government’s own assessment of sufficiency of social care funding. The social care sector is in crisis, yet the government refuses to disclose how it determines funding sufficiency. Without transparency, there is little accountability, no independent scrutiny to improve decision-making, and government trust heavily impacted. Evidence from across the sector indicates a severe funding gap, but without open data, meaningful reform remains impossible. True solutions require honesty about the scale of the problem to then work towards a fair and equitable funding model.
The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, and yet they are not making that known.
✨ ✅ ❌?
Barnsley spends less on social care than the national average. This may affect people who need support. We will look at how much Barnsley spends and what this means for its residents.
In 2024, Barnsley's gross total expenditure on social care is £38,615.17 per 100,000 people. The national average is £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means Barnsley spends less money on social care services than many other places.
The net total expenditure in Barnsley is £31,092.90 per 100,000 people. The national average is £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. After income from clients and the NHS, Barnsley still spends less than the average. This could affect the quality and availability of services.
Clients in Barnsley contribute £7,522.27 per 100,000 people. The national average is £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. People in Barnsley pay slightly more towards their own care than in other areas. This might place a financial burden on residents who need support.
The NHS contributes £5,449.01 per 100,000 people in Barnsley. The national average is £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. Barnsley receives less money from the NHS for social care than other places. This could limit the resources available for health-related support services.
Barnsley's population has grown from 243,558 in 2019 to 248,449 in 2023. More people may need social care services. The population density is 743.3 people per square kilometre, lower than the national average of 2,468.5. Lower density can make it harder and more costly to provide services across the area.
Barnsley has a mean deprivation decile of 3.82, while the national average is 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This suggests Barnsley is more deprived than many areas and may have higher needs for social care. Deprivation often leads to greater demand for support services.
Because Barnsley spends less on social care and has higher deprivation, there may be unmet needs in the community. Higher client contributions suggest residents pay more for their care, which could be challenging for those on low incomes. Lower NHS contributions mean less support from health services, potentially impacting care quality.
With a growing population and high deprivation, Barnsley may need to allocate more funds to social care. Increasing investment could help meet residents' needs and improve services. Understanding these factors is important for planning and delivering effective social care in Barnsley.
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