This page provides an overview of social care in Blackpool, 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 Blackpool. 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 2024, 24.7% of people in Blackpool had a disability, compared to the national average of 17.6%. This means that more people in Blackpool have disabilities than in other places. The higher rate may be due to factors like health issues linked to deprivation or the age of the population.
In 2024, 2,340 working-age people in Blackpool asked for care. This is 1,639.71 people per 100,000, while the national average is 1,143.48 per 100,000. The greater number of requests shows that more people in Blackpool need support.
A total of 1,260 people aged 18 to 64 received care in 2024. This is 882.92 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 532.68 per 100,000. This suggests that more people in Blackpool are getting help with their needs.
In 2024, 45 people in Blackpool received nursing care, which is 31.53 per 100,000 people. The national rate is 13.75 per 100,000. This higher rate means more people need medical support in care settings.
Residential care was given to 120 people, or 84.09 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 60.61 per 100,000. This shows more people in Blackpool are living in care homes.
Community care with direct payments only was received by 175 people, which is 122.63 per 100,000. This is similar to the national rate of 122.17 per 100,000. It means many people manage their own care budgets.
Community care with part direct payment was given to 95 people, or 66.57 per 100,000. The national rate is 47.95 per 100,000. This suggests more people in Blackpool use a mix of personal and council-managed care.
Community care with a council-managed personal budget was provided to 820 people, which is 574.6 per 100,000. This is much higher than the national rate of 266.67 per 100,000. This indicates many people rely on the council to manage their care services.
Blackpool has about 142,000 people, and the population has stayed the same from 2019 to 2023. The area is more crowded, with 4,041.1 people per square kilometre, while the national average is 2,468.5 people. Blackpool has a mean deprivation decile of 2.41, showing higher levels of poverty than the national mean of 5.9. It is a fully urban area with no rural parts.
The higher rates of disability and care needs in Blackpool suggest that more people require support. Factors like higher poverty and crowding may lead to greater health and social care needs. Services in Blackpool should plan for this higher demand to ensure people get the help they need.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Blackpool has a significant proportion of older residents. This analysis explores the data related to older people in Blackpool, comparing it with national averages, and considers the implications for services and policies.
From 2019 to 2023, the percentage of older people in Blackpool increased slightly, from 20.34% to 20.64%. This is consistently higher than the national average, which ranged from 18.4% to 18.9% during the same period. This suggests that Blackpool has more older residents compared to other parts of the country.
In 2024, there were 4,765 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Blackpool. This amounts to 3,338.99 requests per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 2,437.85 per 100,000. This may indicate that older people in Blackpool have greater care needs or are more likely to seek assistance.
Also in 2024, 2,730 older people were receiving care services in Blackpool. This equates to 1,912.99 per 100,000 people, nearly double the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. This shows that a larger proportion of older residents in Blackpool are receiving care compared to other areas.
Different types of care services were accessed by older people in Blackpool in 2024:
Residential Care: 760 people were in residential care, which is 532.56 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 249.93 per 100,000.
Nursing Care: 290 older people received nursing care, equating to 203.21 per 100,000 people. The national average is 121.75 per 100,000.
Community Care (Council-Managed Personal Budget): 1,570 people received community care through a council-managed personal budget. This is 1,100.15 per 100,000 people, more than double the national average of 507.92 per 100,000.
These figures suggest that older residents in Blackpool are more reliant on various care services than those in other regions.
In 2025, older people in Blackpool sought help for several issues:
Assessments: 8 requests, or 5.61 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 1.72 per 100,000.
Care Plans: 2 requests, amounting to 1.40 per 100,000 people, similar to the national average of 1.39 per 100,000.
Charging: 8 requests, matching 5.61 per 100,000 people, while the national average is 5.72 per 100,000.
Higher numbers in certain areas may indicate specific local needs or concerns among older residents.
Several factors may influence these findings:
Population Density: Blackpool has 4,041.1 residents per square kilometre, higher than the national average of 2,468.5. A higher density may impact service demand and delivery.
Deprivation: Blackpool has a mean deprivation decile of 2.41 out of 10, compared to the national mean of 5.9. Higher deprivation is often linked to greater health and social care needs.
Urban Area: With 0% rural land, Blackpool is entirely urban, unlike the national average of 34.6% rural. Urban environments can affect the availability and type of services required.
The data indicates that Blackpool has a higher demand for older people's care services than the national average. This may be due to a larger older population, higher deprivation levels, or specific local issues.
Policies should focus on allocating sufficient resources to meet these needs. This may include investing in care facilities, supporting home-based services, and addressing factors related to deprivation. Understanding the specific concerns of older residents can help tailor services effectively.
Overall, addressing these challenges can improve the quality of life for older people in Blackpool and ensure that services are responsive to their needs.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Blackpool, carers play a vital role in supporting others. This analysis looks at the data for carers in Blackpool, comparing it with national figures. We will explore the number of unpaid carers, their social contact, ease of finding information, and the support they receive.
In 2021, Blackpool had 10,364 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 8,204 per 100,000. This means that more people in Blackpool are caring for others without pay. One reason might be the higher levels of deprivation in Blackpool. With a mean deprivation decile of 2.41, compared to the national average of 5.9, more families may need to rely on unpaid care.
Blackpool's population density is also higher, with 4,041 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,469 nationally. In a densely populated area, there may be more opportunities for people to care for neighbours or family members nearby.
In 2024, 28.2% of carers in Blackpool said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is slightly lower than the national figure of 29.3%. Many carers may feel isolated or have less time for social activities. The demands of caring can limit their opportunities to see friends or take part in community events.
This slight difference suggests that carers in Blackpool might need more support to connect with others. Social contact is important for mental health and well-being.
When asked if it is easy to find information about services, 66.3% of carers in Blackpool agreed. This is higher than the national average of 59.3%. This suggests that local services in Blackpool are doing well in providing information to carers.
Good access to information can help carers find the support they need. It may also help them feel more confident in their role.
Carers in Blackpool receive different types of support. For direct payments, 112 carers per 100,000 receive direct payments, compared to the national average of 150 per 100,000. Fewer carers in Blackpool are getting this type of support.
Only 17 carers per 100,000 receive part direct payments, while the national average is 45 per 100,000. This is much lower, suggesting that carers in Blackpool may have less access to flexible funding options.
For information, advice, and signposting services, 382 carers per 100,000 in Blackpool receive support. This is higher than the national average of 339 per 100,000. This aligns with the earlier finding that carers find it easier to get information.
However, 224 carers per 100,000 in Blackpool receive no direct support, which is higher than the national average of 130 per 100,000. This means more carers are not receiving direct help. It may indicate unmet needs.
For respite care and support delivered to the person cared for, 554 carers per 100,000 in Blackpool receive this support. This is much higher than the national average of 70 per 100,000. This suggests that Blackpool provides more indirect support to carers through services for the cared-for person.
The data shows that carers in Blackpool may need more direct financial support. With higher numbers of unpaid carers and more carers not receiving direct support, there is a need to review funding and resources.
The higher provision of respite care suggests that services focus on giving carers a break. This can be valuable, but carers may also benefit from direct payments or more flexible support options.
The good access to information is a positive point. Continuing to provide clear information can help carers navigate the services available.
Carers in Blackpool face challenges due to higher levels of deprivation and a greater number of unpaid carers. While they find it easier to get information about services, many do not receive direct support. Focusing on increasing direct support and offering more flexible funding options could help address unmet needs. Supporting carers is important for the well-being of the community and can improve outcomes for those they care for.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
?
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.
?
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 Blackpool, there are 18 community-based adult social care services. This number is less than the national average of 63.8 services. There are also 67 residential social care providers in Blackpool, compared to the national average of 91 providers. This means that Blackpool has fewer care providers than many other areas in England.
The proportion of care providers in Blackpool that need improvement or are inadequate is 18.8%. This is slightly higher than the national average of 16.8%. This could be because Blackpool faces more challenges in providing quality care due to factors like higher deprivation levels.
Blackpool has a high population density, with 4,041 people per square kilometre, compared to the England average of 2,468.5 people. It also has a higher level of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 2.41, whereas the England mean is 5.9. This means that Blackpool is more deprived than many other areas. Higher deprivation can lead to greater demand for social care services, as more people may need support.
The turnover rate for care staff in the North West region, which includes Blackpool, is 25.4%. This is the same as the national average. A high turnover rate can make it hard for care providers to offer consistent care.
In Blackpool, 69.5% of care providers find it more challenging or much more challenging to retain staff. This is slightly higher than the national average of 68.1%. This shows that keeping staff is a common problem. Factors like high living costs or competition for jobs might make it harder to keep staff.
The vacancy rate for care jobs in Blackpool is 7.1%, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. This means there are fewer unfilled care jobs in Blackpool. However, 81.3% of care providers find it more challenging or much more challenging to recruit staff, compared to 79.8% nationally. This suggests that even though there are fewer vacancies, finding new staff is still difficult.
The combination of fewer care providers and staffing challenges means that people in Blackpool might have less access to care services. Higher levels of deprivation can increase the need for care, putting more pressure on existing providers. The slight increase in providers needing improvement shows that maintaining quality is also a challenge.
To improve care services in Blackpool, there may be a need for policies that support recruitment and retention of care staff. This could involve offering better wages, training opportunities, or other incentives. Addressing the causes of deprivation could also help reduce the demand for care services in the long term.
Overall, while Blackpool faces challenges in its care services, understanding these issues can help in planning and improving care for the future.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Blackpool is a densely populated urban area with a population of 142,708 in 2023. The population has remained fairly stable over recent years. With 4,041.1 people per square kilometre, it is more crowded than the England average of 2,468.5. Blackpool faces higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 2.41 compared to the national mean of 5.9. This means that many residents may have greater needs for care and support.
In November 2024, 97.8% of discharges in Blackpool were from acceptable trusts. This is higher than the national average of 89%. This suggests that most patients in Blackpool are receiving care from trusts that meet the required standards. It may reflect strong relationships between local authorities and healthcare providers.
About 12.5% of discharges in Blackpool were delayed, slightly above the national average of 12.3%. The average delay was 0.75 days, compared to the England mean of 0.7 days. These delays could be due to factors like high demand for services or limited resources. The higher deprivation in Blackpool might contribute to increased pressure on health and social care systems.
In 2024, 70.9% of respondents in Blackpool said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is higher than the national average of 64.7%. It suggests that many people feel their needs are being met by local services. Good communication and effective support may contribute to this positive view.
However, another source, NatCen, reported that 57% of people expressed dissatisfaction with social care. This contrast indicates that there may be areas where services are not meeting expectations. It highlights the importance of understanding different experiences among residents.
About 75.5% of people using services in Blackpool felt it was easy to find information about services. This is higher than the national average of 68.2%. Easy access to information helps people find the support they need and may contribute to higher satisfaction levels.
There were 11.21 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people in Blackpool, compared to the national average of 4.45. Similarly, 7.01 complaints per 100,000 people were decided by the ombudsman, higher than the national average of 4.12. This suggests that more people in Blackpool are raising concerns about services.
The higher number of complaints could mean that residents are more aware of how to report issues. It might also reflect areas where services need improvement. Considering the higher deprivation, some residents may face more challenges, leading to more complaints.
The data shows that while many people in Blackpool are satisfied with their care, there are areas that need attention. Delayed discharges and higher complaint rates suggest that services could be under pressure. The high levels of deprivation might increase demand for support.
Service providers may need to look at ways to reduce delays and address the reasons behind complaints. Improving resources and support for staff could help. Ensuring that services meet the needs of all residents, especially those facing deprivation, is important.
Blackpool shows strong performance in some areas, like satisfaction with care and access to information. However, challenges remain, such as delayed discharges and higher complaint rates. Focusing on these areas can help improve services and support the well-being of 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.
✨ ✅ ❌?
In 2024, Blackpool spends more on social care per person than the national average. The gross total expenditure per 100,000 people is £64,814.37, while the average across England is £47,758.16. This means that Blackpool invests heavily in social care services compared to other areas.
After accounting for income, Blackpool's net total expenditure per 100,000 people is £49,955.75. This is higher than the national average of £40,471.81. This suggests that even when clients and the NHS contribute, Blackpool still needs to spend more to meet the social care needs of its residents.
Clients in Blackpool contribute £14,858.62 per 100,000 people towards social care. This is more than the national average of £7,286.35. The NHS also contributes £13,178.49 per 100,000 people in Blackpool, higher than the England average of £7,878.45. These higher contributions indicate that both clients and the NHS are investing more in social care in Blackpool.
Blackpool has a population of 142,708 in 2023. While this is smaller than the average town in England, Blackpool is densely populated, with 4,041.1 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5. This high density means that many people live close together, which can increase the demand for social care services.
Blackpool also faces high levels of deprivation. Its mean deprivation decile is 2.41, while the average in England is 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This suggests that many people in Blackpool may need extra support due to economic hardship or health issues.
The higher spending on social care in Blackpool may be due to the greater needs of its population. With more people facing deprivation and living in a dense area, there may be increased demand for services like home care, support for the elderly, and assistance for those with disabilities.
Clients and the NHS contribute more in Blackpool, which helps to fund these services. However, without information on budget cuts, it is hard to know if this funding is enough. The government seems to understand how much money is needed for social care, but this information is not fully shared. This lack of transparency can make it difficult to plan and allocate resources effectively.
Blackpool invests more in social care per person than many other areas in England. Factors like high population density and greater deprivation may increase the need for these services. To meet the demands of its residents, it is important for Blackpool to maintain adequate funding for social care. Clear information from the government about budgets can help in planning and ensuring that social care services continue to support those in need.
✨ ✅ ❌