This page provides an overview of social care in Bexley, 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 Bexley. 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
In Bexley, 15.4% of people are disabled. This is less than the national average of 17.6%. This means there are fewer disabled people in Bexley compared to other areas. This might be due to the local population and health factors.
In 2024, there were 3,640 requests for care from working-age people in Bexley. This is 1,451 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is 1,143 per 100,000. This shows that more people in Bexley are asking for care. This could mean that care services are easier to access or that people know more about them.
There were 1,335 people aged 18 to 64 receiving care in Bexley in 2024. This is 532 people per 100,000, which is almost the same as the national average of 533 per 100,000. This suggests that Bexley is providing care to this age group at a similar rate to other places.
Different types of care are provided in Bexley. In 2024, 20 people received nursing care. This is 8 people per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of 14 per 100,000. Residential care was given to 130 people, or 52 per 100,000. This is slightly lower than the national average of 61 per 100,000.
Community direct payments were given to 215 people, which is 86 per 100,000. This is less than the national average of 122 per 100,000. However, 365 people received community care through council support only. This is 146 per 100,000 people, much higher than the national average of 58 per 100,000. This might mean that Bexley relies more on council-run services for community care.
Bexley's population has grown from 246,622 in 2019 to 250,853 in 2023. The area is densely populated, with 4,070.7 people per square kilometre. This is higher than the national average of 2,468.5. Bexley is less deprived than other areas, with a deprivation decile of 6.51 compared to the average of 5.9. This means that socio-economic factors might affect the demand and provision of care services.
In 2025, some people in Bexley asked for help with assessments, care plans, charging, and other issues. The numbers per 100,000 people were close to national averages. But requests for help with legal issues and safeguarding were a bit higher. This could mean that more support is needed in these areas.
Overall, Bexley provides care services to disabled people at rates similar to national figures. The higher use of council-commissioned support suggests local policies or preferences. Understanding these patterns can help improve services and ensure resources are used effectively to support disabled people in Bexley.
✨ ✅ ❌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 the services for older people in Bexley. We have data on the proportion of older people, requests for care, and people receiving care. We compare these figures to national averages to understand the situation in Bexley.
From 2019 to 2023, the percentage of older people in Bexley ranged from 16.55% to 16.74%. This is lower than the national average, which was between 18.4% and 18.9% during the same period. This means that Bexley has a smaller proportion of older residents compared to the rest of the country.
In 2024, there were 8,530 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Bexley. This is equivalent to 3,400 requests per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 2,437.85 per 100,000 people. Despite having a lower proportion of older people, Bexley has more requests for care services.
This could mean that older people in Bexley have a higher need for care services. Possible reasons could include health issues, lack of family support, or higher awareness of available services. It may also suggest that services are accessible and people are encouraged to request help when needed.
In the same year, 2,365 older people received care in Bexley. This is 942.78 per 100,000 people, slightly lower than the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. While more older people are requesting care, fewer are receiving it compared to the national average.
This could indicate that there is an unmet need in Bexley. Perhaps the services cannot keep up with the demand, or there are delays in getting care to those who need it. It raises concerns about resource allocation and service delivery for older residents.
When we look at the types of care, we see that Bexley has fewer people in nursing and residential care compared to the national averages per 100,000 people. For nursing care, Bexley has 117.6 per 100,000, slightly less than the national average of 121.75. In residential care, Bexley has 153.48 per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of 249.93.
However, more older people in Bexley receive community care through managed personal budgets. Bexley has 532.18 per 100,000 people in this category, higher than the national average of 507.92. This suggests that Bexley focuses more on helping older people stay in their homes with support, rather than moving them into nursing or residential care homes.
This emphasis on community care aligns with current approaches to support older people to live independently for as long as possible. It may reflect Bexley's policies to provide more personal and home-based care services.
Bexley is an urban area with a high population density of 4,070.7 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5. The area is less deprived than the national average, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.51 versus 5.9 nationally (higher scores mean less deprivation).
The lower levels of deprivation might mean that older people in Bexley have better access to information and are more proactive in seeking care services. The urban setting could also mean that services are more available or easier to access.
In summary, Bexley has a lower proportion of older people than the national average but a higher rate of requests for care services from older residents. Despite this higher demand, fewer people receive care compared to the national average. The area focuses on community-based care, supporting older people to live independently. The urban environment and lower levels of deprivation may influence these patterns. There may be a need to assess resource allocation to ensure that the care needs of older people in Bexley are met.
✨ ✅ ❌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 examines data on carers in Bexley, focusing on unpaid carers and their experiences. It explores how carers in Bexley compare to national averages and considers factors that might influence these findings.
In 2021, Bexley had about 7,819 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is slightly lower than the England average of 8,204 per 100,000. Bexley’s population was around 246,637 at that time, which is smaller than the national average. The area has a high population density of 4,071 residents per square kilometre, compared to England’s average of 2,469. Being a more urban area, Bexley might have better access to formal care services, which could reduce the reliance on unpaid carers.
In 2024, 35.4% of carers in Bexley reported that they had as much social contact as they would like. This is higher than the England average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Bexley feel more socially connected than carers elsewhere. The strong community networks and support services in an urban setting like Bexley might contribute to this higher sense of social contact.
Also in 2024, 60.3% of carers in Bexley felt it was easy to find information about services. This is slightly above the national average of 59.3%. Good access to information can help carers navigate available services and feel more supported. Bexley’s higher figure might reflect effective information channels and resource availability in the area.
Looking at specific support services in 2024, Bexley had lower rates of carers receiving direct payments. About 54 carers per 100,000 received direct payments, while the national average was 150 per 100,000. For part direct payments, Bexley had 24 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 45 per 100,000. Some support types, like managed personal budgets and commissioned support, were not recorded in Bexley, though they had national averages of 66 and 102 per 100,000 respectively.
Bexley had 169 carers per 100,000 receiving information, advice, and universal services, which is lower than the England average of 339 per 100,000. For carers receiving no direct support, Bexley had 94 per 100,000, versus 130 per 100,000 nationally. However, Bexley had 94 carers per 100,000 receiving support involving the cared-for person, such as respite services, which is higher than the national average of 70 per 100,000. This suggests that Bexley may focus more on services that support both carers and those they care for.
Bexley has a mean deprivation decile of 6.51, higher than the England average of 5.9. A higher decile indicates less deprivation. This means Bexley is less deprived than many areas, which could result in better-funded services and more resources for carers. The low percentage of rural areas (only 0.05% compared to the national average of 34.6%) indicates an urban environment. Urban areas often have more accessible services, which might help carers feel better supported and more connected.
The data suggests that carers in Bexley generally feel more socially connected and find it easier to access information about services. However, the lower rates of direct financial support compared to national averages indicate an area for improvement. Enhancing awareness and availability of direct payments and other financial support could further assist carers. Continuing to strengthen community networks and information services will be important for maintaining the wellbeing of carers in Bexley.
Carers in Bexley report positive experiences, with higher levels of social contact and ease in finding information compared to national figures. While there are areas where support could be expanded, particularly in financial assistance, the overall situation for carers in Bexley is favourable. The urban setting and lower levels of deprivation likely contribute to these positive outcomes. Focusing on enhancing support services can help ensure that carers continue to feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Bexley is a highly urban area with a population of 250,853 in 2023. The population density is 4,070.7 residents per square kilometre, which is higher than the England average of 2,468.5. Bexley is less deprived than many areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.51 compared to the national mean of 5.9.
In 2024, Bexley has 43 community-based adult social care services and 28 residential social care providers. This equates to approximately 17 community-based providers and 11 residential providers per 100,000 people. The national averages are around 17 community-based providers and 24 residential providers per 100,000 people. This means Bexley has a similar number of community services but fewer residential care options compared to the national average.
A significant concern is the quality of care providers in Bexley. About 30.56% of care providers are rated as needing improvement or inadequate, which is notably higher than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that many care providers in Bexley are struggling to meet expected standards, which could impact the well-being of those who rely on these services.
The turnover rate for care staff in Bexley is 19.04% for the year 2023/24, which is similar to the London regional average of 19%. However, the vacancy rate in Bexley is 12.16%, higher than the national average of 8.4%. This indicates that there are more unfilled positions in Bexley's care sector, which might strain existing staff and affect the quality of care provided.
Despite higher vacancy rates, care providers in Bexley report fewer challenges in recruiting and retaining staff compared to the regional averages. In 2024, 56.04% of providers in Bexley found it more challenging or much more challenging to retain staff, whereas the regional average is 68.1%. Similarly, 67.98% found recruiting staff more challenging, compared to 79.8% across the region. This could suggest that while there are staffing gaps, providers are more optimistic or have strategies in place to manage recruitment and retention.
The combination of higher vacancy rates and a higher proportion of care providers needing improvement may impact service delivery in Bexley. Fewer residential care providers per capita could mean limited access to residential care for those who need it. Staffing shortages may place additional pressure on existing staff, potentially affecting the quality of care and increasing the risk of provider ratings declining.
Given Bexley's lower levels of deprivation and urban setting, there may be opportunities to attract and retain staff by leveraging local amenities and resources. Focusing on improving the quality of care providers is important to ensure that residents receive the support they need. Addressing staffing challenges by enhancing recruitment and retention efforts could help improve service quality and provider ratings.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Bexley shows promising results in some areas of health and social care. The data reveals how the local services compare to national averages and highlights areas for improvement.
In November 2024, Bexley had a high rate of discharges from acceptable trusts, with a value of 99.6%. This is better than the national average of 89%. This suggests that hospitals in Bexley are effective in discharging patients to appropriate care settings.
The percentage of delayed discharges in Bexley was 9.9%, which is lower than the national average of 12.3%. Fewer delays mean patients are moving through the care system more smoothly, which can improve their recovery and free up hospital beds.
The average delay for discharges in Bexley was 0.99 days, slightly higher than the national average of 0.7 days. While most discharges are timely, the delays that do happen in Bexley tend to be a bit longer. This might be due to specific cases that need more support or coordination between services.
In 2024, 60.1% of respondents in Bexley said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is lower than the national average of 64.7%. Lower satisfaction might indicate areas where services can be improved, such as communication with patients or the quality of care provided.
Another source, NatCen, reported that 57% of people in Bexley were dissatisfied with social care. This figure highlights a significant level of dissatisfaction, suggesting that many residents feel their needs are not being fully met.
About 62.9% of people using services in Bexley felt it was easy to find information about those services, compared to the national average of 68.2%. This shows that some residents may struggle to access important information. Improving how information is shared could help people get the support they need more easily.
In 2024, there were 2.39 Ombudsman complaints received per 100,000 people in Bexley, which is lower than the national average of 4.45 per 100,000. Complaints decided were also lower, at 1.99 per 100,000 compared to 4.12 nationally. Fewer complaints could mean that services are meeting people's needs, or it might suggest that people are less aware of how to make a complaint.
Bexley's population has grown from 246,622 in 2019 to 250,853 in 2023. The area has a high population density, with 4,070.7 residents per square kilometre, much higher than the England average of 2,468.5. A dense population can put more pressure on health and social care services, leading to challenges in meeting everyone's needs.
The mean deprivation decile for Bexley is 6.51, higher than the England average of 5.9. This means Bexley is less deprived than many other areas. However, deprivation levels within Bexley vary, as indicated by the standard deviation of 2.46. Some neighbourhoods might face more challenges than others.
Only 0.05% of Bexley's area is rural, compared to 34.6% for England. Being largely urban can influence the types of services needed and how they are delivered.
The data suggests that while Bexley performs well in timely hospital discharges, there is room for improvement in reducing the average delay and increasing satisfaction with care and support. Efforts to make information more accessible could help residents navigate services better.
Understanding the growing and dense population is important for planning services. Resources may need to be adjusted to meet increasing demand. Considering the varied levels of deprivation across Bexley can help target support where it is most needed.
Bexley has strengths in efficient hospital discharges and low complaint rates. However, attention to service satisfaction and information accessibility is needed. By focusing on these areas, Bexley can work towards improving the quality of care and support for all its residents.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
✨ ✅ ❌?
This report looks at how much Bexley spends on social care in 2024. We will compare Bexley's spending to the national average and think about what this means.
Bexley's gross total expenditure on social care per 100,000 people is £35,090.54. The national average is higher, at £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means Bexley spends less on social care than many other areas.
The net total expenditure in Bexley is £29,202.69 per 100,000 people. The national average net expenditure is £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. Again, Bexley's spending is lower than average.
Clients in Bexley contribute £5,887.84 per 100,000 people towards their care. The national average for client contributions is £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This suggests that people in Bexley pay less towards their care than in other areas.
The NHS contributes £7,393.12 per 100,000 people in Bexley. The national average NHS contribution is £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. Bexley's NHS contributions are slightly below average.
Bexley has a population of about 250,853 people in 2023. This is smaller than the national average population of 377,060.9 people. Bexley is also more densely populated, with 4,070.7 residents per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5 residents per square kilometre. This means many people live in a small area.
Bexley is less deprived than many other areas. It has a mean deprivation decile of 6.51, while the national average is 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. Only 0.05% of Bexley is rural, compared to 34.6% nationally. This shows that Bexley is mostly urban.
The lower spending on social care in Bexley could mean several things. Because Bexley is less deprived, there might be less need for social care services. People might be healthier or have better support networks.
The high population density might make it easier to deliver services efficiently. Services can reach more people in a smaller area, which might reduce costs.
However, lower spending could also mean that some needs are not being met. If services are underfunded, people who need help might not be getting it. It's important to make sure that everyone who needs care can access it.
The lower client contributions suggest that people in Bexley pay less towards their care. This might be because they have less ability to pay, or because policies in Bexley are different from other areas.
Understanding these figures helps plan for the future. If Bexley spends less on social care, it's important to check that services are still good quality. Policymakers might look at ways to improve funding if needed.
The fact that budget cut information is not available makes it harder to see the full picture. Knowing more about budget changes would help understand why spending is lower.
The government's role is important. If they know how much money is needed for social care, sharing this information can help local areas plan better.
Bexley's social care spending is lower than the national average. This could be due to less need, efficient service delivery, or other factors. Bexley is less deprived and more urban than many areas, which might affect how services are used and delivered. It's important to ensure that all residents receive the care they need, and to consider if current funding levels are appropriate.
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