This page provides an overview of social care in Bedford, 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 Bedford. 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
The following analysis examines the state of disability and associated care services in Bedford, drawing on data from 2024 and background information up to 2023. The focus is on understanding the prevalence of disability, the demand for care services among the working-age population, and how Bedford compares to national averages.
The age-standardised proportion of individuals with disabilities in Bedford is 16.3%, slightly lower than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that Bedford has a marginally lower rate of disability among its population compared to England as a whole. Factors such as the age structure of the population, health determinants, or local socio-economic conditions may contribute to this difference.
In 2024, there were 535 requests for care from the working-age population in Bedford, translating to 281.74 requests per 100,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the national average of 1,143.48 requests per 100,000. The lower rate of requests could indicate better overall health among Bedford's working-age population or possible barriers to accessing care services. It might also reflect unmet needs if individuals are not seeking assistance due to lack of awareness or availability of services.
A total of 1,015 individuals aged 18 to 64 in Bedford were receiving care services in 2024, amounting to 534.52 per 100,000 people. This rate is consistent with the national average of 532.68 per 100,000, indicating that Bedford is aligned with national trends in terms of care provision to this age group.
The distribution of care types among those receiving services provides further insight. In Bedford, 20 individuals received nursing care (10.53 per 100,000), slightly lower than the national average of 13.75 per 100,000. Residential care was provided to 150 individuals (78.99 per 100,000), which is higher than the national average of 60.61 per 100,000. This may suggest a greater reliance on residential facilities in Bedford.
For community care, 95 individuals received direct payments only (50.03 per 100,000), lower than the national average of 122.17 per 100,000. Part direct payments were received by 75 individuals (39.50 per 100,000), slightly below the national average of 47.95 per 100,000. A notable 610 individuals received a council-managed personal budget for community care (321.24 per 100,000), exceeding the national average of 266.67 per 100,000. This suggests that Bedford Council plays a substantial role in managing care, possibly reflecting local policy preferences or resource allocations.
In 2025, Bedford recorded requests for help with various services among the disabled population. There were 4 requests for help with assessments (2.11 per 100,000), slightly above the national average of 1.72 per 100,000. Requests for help with care plans stood at 2 (1.05 per 100,000), marginally below the national average of 1.39 per 100,000. Eleven individuals sought help with charging (5.79 per 100,000), aligning closely with the national average of 5.72 per 100,000.
Requests for assistance with information seeking were higher in Bedford, with 8 requests (4.21 per 100,000) compared to the national average of 2.6 per 100,000. This may indicate a need for improved communication and outreach by service providers. Only 1 request was made for help with mental capacity (0.53 per 100,000), slightly below the national average of 0.59 per 100,000.
Bedford's population has been steadily increasing from 180,651 in 2019 to 189,891 in 2023. This growth may impact demand for care services. The population density of Bedford is 388.8 residents per square kilometre, significantly lower than the England average of 2,468.5. The lower density may affect service delivery, potentially posing challenges in reaching dispersed populations, especially in rural areas.
Regarding deprivation, Bedford has a mean deprivation decile of 5.8, close to the England mean of 5.9, indicating moderate levels of deprivation. The standard deviation of deprivation deciles in Bedford is 2.64, higher than the national average of 2.3, suggesting more significant disparities within the area. With 30.49% of the area being rural, compared to the national average of 34.6%, rurality is a notable factor but less prominent than in other regions.
The data indicates that while Bedford's prevalence of disability is slightly below the national average, there is significant reliance on council-managed personal budgets for community care. The lower rate of requests for care suggests that some needs may not be identified or met, possibly due to barriers in accessing services or a lack of awareness. The higher proportion of individuals in residential care could reflect limitations in community-based support or preferences for residential options.
The increased requests for assistance with information seeking highlight a potential gap in communication between service providers and the community. Addressing this could improve service uptake and satisfaction. Additionally, the growing population and the lower population density may necessitate strategic planning to ensure that care services are accessible to all parts of Bedford, including its rural areas.
Overall, the data suggests that while Bedford aligns with national averages in many respects, specific areas such as the types of care received and requests for assistance point to opportunities for improving service delivery. By enhancing information dissemination and ensuring that care services are responsive to the needs of the working-age disabled population, Bedford can better address current gaps and prepare for future demand.
✨ ✅ ❌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
This report looks at data on older people in Bedford from 2019 to 2025. It compares Bedford's figures with national averages to understand the situation for older residents.
From 2019 to 2023, the proportion of older people in Bedford increased from 16.85% to 17.23%. This is lower than the national average, which ranged from 18.4% to 18.9% in the same period. Bedford's lower proportion might be due to a younger population or people moving away after retirement.
In 2024, there were 1,820 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Bedford. This is 958.44 requests per 100,000 people, which is less than the national rate of 2,437.85 per 100,000. This lower rate might suggest that older people in Bedford need less support, or they might not be reaching out for help as much as elsewhere.
Also in 2024, 1,760 older people in Bedford received care services. This is 926.85 per 100,000 people, slightly below the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. The types of care they received varied:
Nursing Care: 95 people (50.03 per 100,000) received nursing care, which is lower than the national rate of 121.75 per 100,000. This might mean fewer older people in Bedford need intensive medical support.
Residential Care: 530 people (279.11 per 100,000) were in residential care homes. This is higher than the national rate of 249.93 per 100,000, suggesting Bedford has more older people in care homes than average.
Community Care: Various forms of community care were provided:
In 2025, older people in Bedford requested help with various issues:
Bedford's population grew from 180,651 in 2019 to 189,891 in 2023. This growth might contribute to the increasing number of older people. Bedford has 388.8 residents per square kilometre, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5. This lower density could affect how services are accessed, especially in rural areas.
The average deprivation decile in Bedford is 5.8, similar to the national average of 5.9. However, Bedford has a higher variation in deprivation levels, with a standard deviation of 2.64 compared to the national 2.3. This means there are areas in Bedford that are more deprived than others, which could affect older people's needs and access to services.
The data suggests that while the proportion of older people in Bedford is increasing, it remains below the national average. Requests for care and the number of people receiving care are also lower than average. This could mean that older people in Bedford are healthier, or it might indicate unmet needs.
The higher use of residential care over community care suggests a possible lack of home-based services or a preference for residential options. Service providers might consider expanding community care to support older people at home, which could improve quality of life and reduce costs.
The varying levels of deprivation and the rural nature of some areas in Bedford might make it harder for older people to access services. Policies focused on improving service availability in rural and deprived areas could help meet the needs of these residents.
Overall, understanding these trends can help in planning and delivering services that meet the needs of Bedford's older population.
✨ ✅ ❌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
In 2021, Bedford had about 7,714 unpaid carers per 100,000 people, slightly below the national average of 8,204 per 100,000. With a population of 185,796, this means there are around 14,332 unpaid carers in Bedford. The lower number could be due to Bedford's population structure or rural areas where caring roles might differ.
In 2024, 34% of carers in Bedford reported having as much social contact as they wanted, higher than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Bedford may have stronger community ties or better access to social activities, which can improve their well-being.
When it comes to direct support, Bedford has fewer carers receiving direct payments, managed personal budgets, and commissioned support compared to the national averages. For example, 90 carers per 100,000 people receive direct payments in Bedford, while the national average is 150 per 100,000. This might indicate that carers in Bedford receive less financial support.
However, Bedford provides more respite care services. There are 134 carers per 100,000 people receiving respite care, higher than the national average of 70 per 100,000. This means Bedford supports carers by offering care to the people they look after, giving carers a break.
About 58.7% of carers in Bedford find it easy to get information about services, slightly less than the national average of 59.3%. This suggests that improving access to information could benefit carers in Bedford.
Bedford's lower number of unpaid carers per capita could relate to its lower population density of 389 residents per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,469. Rural areas might have different needs and challenges for carers. Bedford's focus on respite care shows an emphasis on supporting carers by caring for their loved ones.
To enhance support for carers, Bedford could increase direct support services and improve information accessibility. This could help carers receive the assistance they need, especially in less populated areas.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Bedford, there are fewer care providers than the national average when we count them. But when we consider the population size, Bedford has more care providers per person. In 2024, there are 53 community-based adult social care services. With a population of 189,891 in 2023, this means about 28 providers for every 100,000 people. Nationally, there are about 17 providers per 100,000 people. For residential social care, Bedford has 71 providers, or about 37 per 100,000 people, compared to 24 nationally. This suggests that people in Bedford have more care providers available to them than the average in England.
Even with more care providers per person, the quality of care in Bedford is a concern. About 24% of care providers need improvement or are inadequate. Nationally, this figure is 16.8%. This means nearly a quarter of care services in Bedford may not meet expected standards. This could affect the well-being of people who use these services.
Staffing is a big challenge in Bedford's care sector. The turnover rate is 23.87%, similar to the national average of 23.9%. However, vacancy rates are higher in Bedford at 9.82%, compared to 8.4% nationally. This shows that more care jobs are unfilled in Bedford. This can put more pressure on existing staff and affect the quality of care.
Recruiting and keeping staff is more difficult in Bedford. About 83% of care providers in Bedford find recruiting staff "more challenging" or "much more challenging". Nationally, this is about 80%. Also, 71% of providers report challenges in keeping staff, higher than the national average of 68%. These staffing problems may lead to the higher number of care providers needing improvement.
Bedford's population is growing, from 180,651 in 2019 to 189,891 in 2023. This may increase the demand for care services. Bedford is less densely populated than the national average, with 389 people per square kilometre compared to 2,469 nationally. This lower density could make it harder to provide care services, especially in rural areas. About 30% of Bedford is rural, compared to 35% nationally.
The average deprivation in Bedford is similar to the national average. But there is more variation in Bedford. Some areas may be more deprived, which could affect the need for care services.
The combination of staffing challenges and a higher proportion of providers needing improvement may impact care quality in Bedford, even though there are more providers per person. To address these issues, it may help to support care providers, improve recruitment and retention, and invest in training. Making sure that care services meet quality standards is important for the health and well-being of people in Bedford.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Bedford is a local area with a growing population. From 2019 to 2023, the number of people living there went from 180,651 to 189,891. Understanding how well services work in Bedford helps plan for the future.
In November 2024, Bedford had about 15 discharges from acceptable trusts. The national average was 89. This lower number might mean fewer people needed hospital care or there are fewer hospitals in the area. Also, 7.5% of discharges were delayed in Bedford, which is better than the national average of 12.3%. This shows that Bedford is good at helping people leave the hospital on time.
The average delay in Bedford was 0.2 days in November 2024. The national average was 0.7 days. This means people in Bedford wait less time for services. Faster service can make people happier and improve their well-being.
In 2024, 63% of people in Bedford were happy with their care and support. The national average was 64.7%. This is slightly lower, meaning some people in Bedford might want better services. Another study showed that 57% were not happy with social care. This suggests that more than half of the people have concerns. Reasons might include the quality of care, how easy it is to get help, or unmet needs.
About 71.2% of people using services in Bedford said it was easy to find information in 2024. This is higher than the national average of 68.2%. This means Bedford provides good information to its residents, helping them know what services are available.
In 2024, there were about 3.69 complaints per 100,000 people received and decided by the Ombudsman in Bedford. The national averages were 4.45 and 4.12. Fewer complaints might mean that problems are solved locally, and people feel heard.
Bedford has shorter wait times and good access to information. These are positive signs. However, satisfaction with care is slightly lower than the national average. With a growing population and 30.5% living in rural areas, reaching everyone can be a challenge. Bedford is less densely populated than other parts of England, with 388.8 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5. This might make it harder to provide services to all areas.
To improve, Bedford could look into why people are not fully happy with their care. This might involve checking if services meet people's needs or if there are enough workers. Focusing on these areas can help make services better for everyone in Bedford.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
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In 2024, Bedford spends more on social care than the average in England. This report looks at Bedford's spending and what it means for the people living there.
Bedford's gross total expenditure on social care is £49,769.75 per 100,000 people. The national average is £47,758.16. This means Bedford invests more in social care services than many other places. This higher spending might be because there is a greater need for care or because Bedford wants to provide better services.
After receiving contributions from clients and the NHS, Bedford's net total expenditure is £42,263.88 per 100,000 people. The national average is £40,471.81. Bedford still spends more than average, showing a strong commitment to social care.
Clients in Bedford contribute £7,505.87 per 100,000 people towards social care. This is slightly more than the national average of £7,286.35. This could mean that clients in Bedford can afford to pay more for their care, or that services cost more.
The NHS contributes £6,597.15 per 100,000 people to social care in Bedford. The national average is £7,878.45. Bedford receives less money from the NHS than other areas. This might put more pressure on the local council and clients to fund social care services.
Bedford's population has grown from 180,651 in 2019 to 189,891 in 2023. While Bedford is smaller than the average town in England, the number of people is increasing. This can lead to a higher demand for social care services. Bedford has 388.8 residents per square kilometre, which is much lower than the national average of 2,468.5. Because people live further apart, it might be more expensive to provide services.
Bedford's mean deprivation decile is 5.8, close to the national average of 5.9. However, Bedford has a higher standard deviation of 2.64 compared to 2.3 nationally. This means there is more variation in how deprived different areas are within Bedford. Some neighbourhoods might need more support than others.
Bedford's higher spending on social care reflects a commitment to supporting its residents. The lower contribution from the NHS means the local council needs to cover more costs. The growing population and lower population density make providing services more challenging and potentially more expensive. The varied levels of deprivation suggest that resources need to be allocated carefully to support the areas that need it most.
Overall, Bedford is investing more in social care to meet the needs of its community. Careful planning is important to ensure that all residents receive the support they require.
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