This page provides an overview of social care in Bolton, 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 Bolton. 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 Bolton, the proportion of people with disabilities is 19.3%. This is higher than the national average of 17.6%. This means that Bolton has more people with disabilities compared to other areas.
In 2024, there were 3,095 requests for care from people of working age in Bolton. This is 1,023.5 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, at 1,143.5 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that fewer people in Bolton are asking for care compared to other places.
Also in 2024, 2,055 people aged 18 to 64 received care in Bolton. This is 679.6 people per 100,000 people. The national average is lower, at 532.7 people per 100,000 people. This means that more people in Bolton are getting care compared to other areas.
Different types of care are provided to people in Bolton:
Nursing Care: 45 people received nursing care. This is 14.9 people per 100,000 people, which is similar to the national average of 13.8 people per 100,000 people.
Residential Care: 150 people received residential care. This is 49.6 people per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, at 60.6 people per 100,000 people. This means fewer people in Bolton are in residential care.
Community Direct Payment Only: 685 people received direct payments for community care. This is 226.5 people per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 122.2 people per 100,000 people. This suggests that more people in Bolton are choosing to manage their own care.
Community Part Direct Payment: 155 people received part direct payments. This is 51.3 people per 100,000 people, close to the national average of 48 people per 100,000 people.
Community Managed Personal Budget: 1,020 people had a managed personal budget for community care. This is 337.3 people per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 266.7 people per 100,000 people. This indicates that many people in Bolton get help managing their care budgets.
In 2025, people in Bolton asked for help with different issues:
Assessments: 4 people requested help, which is 1.3 people per 100,000 people. The national average is higher at 1.7 people per 100,000 people.
Care Plans: 2 people requested help, which is 0.7 people per 100,000 people. The national average is 1.4 people per 100,000 people.
Carers: 1 person requested help, which is 0.3 people per 100,000 people. The national average is 0.8 people per 100,000 people.
Charging: 8 people requested help, which is 2.6 people per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 5.7 people per 100,000 people.
Information Seeking: 5 people requested help, which is 1.7 people per 100,000 people. The national average is 2.6 people per 100,000 people.
Legal Issues and Complaints: 1 person requested help, at 0.3 people per 100,000 people. The national average is 0.7 people per 100,000 people.
Safeguarding: 2 people requested help, which is 0.7 people per 100,000 people. The national average is 1.2 people per 100,000 people.
The population of Bolton has grown from 294,888 in 2019 to 302,383 in 2023. This increase in population may affect the number of people needing care.
Bolton has a population density of 2,117 people per square kilometre, which is lower than the national average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. This means Bolton is less crowded than other areas.
The mean deprivation decile in Bolton is 4.21. This is lower than the national mean of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. Therefore, Bolton is more deprived than many other places.
The standard deviation of deprivation deciles in Bolton is 2.98, which is higher than the national average of 2.3. This means there is a bigger difference between the most and least deprived areas in Bolton.
Only 3.7% of Bolton is rural, compared to the national average of 34.6%. This means most people in Bolton live in urban areas.
The higher proportion of people with disabilities in Bolton suggests a greater need for support services. More people are receiving care, especially community-based care. This may be due to Bolton's urban nature and higher deprivation levels. Services may need to focus on community support and managing personal budgets to meet the needs of the population.
✨ ✅ ❌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 examines the data on older people in Bolton, focusing on the period from 2019 to 2025. It looks at the proportion of older residents, their requests for care, and the types of care they receive. The analysis also considers Bolton's population characteristics and how they relate to the care needs of older people.
Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of older people in Bolton ranged from 17.03% to 17.22%. This is slightly lower than the national average, which was between 18.4% and 18.9% during the same period. Despite having a smaller percentage of older residents, Bolton experiences higher demands for care services among this group.
In 2024, there were 7,915 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Bolton. This equates to 2,617.54 requests per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 2,437.85 per 100,000. The elevated number of requests suggests that older people in Bolton have greater care needs compared to the wider population.
The number of older people receiving care in Bolton was 3,730 in 2024, amounting to 1,233.54 individuals per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. The data indicates that a significant proportion of Bolton's older population is accessing care services.
Older residents in Bolton receive various types of care. In 2024:
The higher uptake of community care services suggests that Bolton's older residents prefer to receive support at home or in community settings.
In 2025, the number of older people in Bolton requesting help with various services was generally lower than the national average per 100,000 people. For instance:
This may indicate that older people in Bolton are either receiving sufficient information and support without additional requests or there may be barriers preventing them from seeking help.
Bolton has a growing population, increasing from 294,888 in 2019 to 302,383 in 2023. The population density is 2,117 residents per square kilometre, which is lower than the national average of 2,468.5. Bolton is predominantly urban with only 3.7% rural areas, compared to 34.6% nationally.
The mean deprivation decile in Bolton is 4.21, lower than the national average of 5.9, indicating higher levels of deprivation. The standard deviation of deprivation deciles is 2.98, suggesting significant variation in deprivation levels within Bolton.
The higher levels of deprivation in Bolton may contribute to the increased demand for care services among older people. Deprivation can lead to poorer health outcomes, resulting in greater care needs. Additionally, the preference for community-based care might reflect efforts to maintain independence despite economic challenges.
The lower proportion of older people requesting help with services may be due to a lack of awareness or accessibility issues. Targeted outreach and improved access to information could help address this gap.
The data suggests that Bolton should continue to invest in community care services to meet the preferences of its older residents. Addressing deprivation and its impact on health can also reduce the long-term demand for care. Enhancing support and information services may help older people confidently access the assistance they need.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
This report looks at unpaid carers in Bolton. We examine their numbers, experiences, and the support they receive. We compare Bolton to national averages and think about what this means for the area.
In 2021, Bolton had 8772 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 8203.68 per 100,000. With a population of 296,169, there were about 25,992 unpaid carers in Bolton. This means many people in Bolton provide unpaid care.
Bolton's higher number of carers may be due to more people needing care. Bolton's deprivation decile in 2019 was 4.21, below the England average of 5.9. This shows Bolton is more deprived, which can increase care needs.
In 2024, 32.6% of carers in Bolton said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is more than the national average of 29.3%. So, carers in Bolton feel slightly more connected than elsewhere.
But with only about a third satisfied, many carers may feel isolated. Social contact is important for their wellbeing.
Also in 2024, 53.6% of Bolton carers found it easy to get information about services. This is less than the national average of 59.3%. Carers may struggle to find the help they need.
Improving access to information can support carers better.
Bolton gives more direct payments to carers than average. There were 694.48 carers per 100,000 getting direct payments, compared to 149.93 nationally. This shows Bolton supports carers with personalised funds.
However, other supports are lower. For example, information and advice were given to 29.76 carers per 100,000, less than the national average of 338.7. Some types of support were not available.
Bolton has more unpaid carers and higher deprivation. This may be related, as deprivation can increase care needs. If carers find it hard to get information, this can affect their support and social contact.
Bolton may need to improve information services for carers. Better access can help carers find support. Offering more types of support could also help.
Helping carers can improve their lives and reduce their stress.
Unpaid carers are important in Bolton, with numbers above the national average. While some feel connected, many struggle to find information. By improving support and information, Bolton can better help its carers.
✨ ✅ ❌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 2024, Bolton has 54 community-based adult social care services and 55 residential social care providers. These numbers are below the national averages of 63.8 and 91 respectively. This suggests that Bolton has fewer care providers compared to other areas in England. With a growing population—from 294,888 in 2019 to 302,383 in 2023—there may be increased demand for care services in the future.
The proportion of care providers in Bolton that need improvement or are inadequate stands at 11.01%, which is better than the national average of 16.8%. This indicates that the quality of care services in Bolton is generally higher than in other parts of the country. Fewer providers needing improvement means residents may receive better care overall.
Staff turnover and vacancy rates can impact the quality of care. In Bolton, the turnover rate for 2023/24 is 25.43%, slightly above the national average of 25.4%. The vacancy rate is 8.5%, just above the national average of 8.4%. These figures show that Bolton faces similar staffing challenges as the rest of the country.
Additionally, 69.5% of care providers in Bolton find it more challenging or much more challenging to retain staff, compared to the national average of 68.1%. When it comes to recruiting staff, 81.34% of providers report increased difficulty, slightly higher than the national average of 79.8%. These challenges could lead to staffing shortages, affecting the delivery of care services.
Bolton's population density is 2,117 residents per square kilometre, which is lower than the national average of 2,468.5. The area is also less rural, with only 3.7% rural areas compared to the national average of 34.6%. A higher urban population may increase demand for care services, putting pressure on existing providers.
The mean deprivation decile for Bolton is 4.21, lower than the national average of 5.9, indicating higher levels of deprivation. Higher deprivation can lead to increased health and social care needs, further straining care services. The standard deviation of deprivation deciles in Bolton is 2.98, suggesting varied levels of deprivation across the area.
With fewer care providers than the national average and a growing population, Bolton may face challenges in meeting the care needs of its residents. The relatively good quality of existing providers is positive, but staffing challenges could undermine this. High turnover and vacancy rates, along with difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, may affect the consistency and availability of care.
The higher levels of deprivation could lead to greater demand for care services, as residents may have more complex health and social care needs. Service planners might need to consider strategies to attract and retain care staff, such as offering training opportunities or improving working conditions.
Overall, while Bolton's care providers demonstrate higher quality than the national average, the area has fewer providers to meet the needs of a growing and potentially more deprived population. Staffing challenges mirror national trends but could have a greater impact due to the area's specific context. Addressing these issues will be important to ensure that care services in Bolton can meet current and future demands.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Bolton, with a population of 302,383 in 2023, is a town in northwest England. Its population has been growing steadily from 294,888 in 2019. The population density is 2,117 residents per square kilometre, slightly lower than the England average of 2,468.5. Bolton has a higher level of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.21 compared to the national average of 5.9. Only 3.7% of Bolton's area is rural, much less than the national average of 34.6%.
In November 2024, Bolton had 13.24 discharges from acceptable trusts per 100,000 people. This is significantly lower than the national average of 89 discharges per 100,000. A lower number of discharges could suggest that residents have less access to certain healthcare services or that there are fewer acceptable trusts in the area. It might also mean that people in Bolton are healthier or that they rely more on community-based care.
The percentage of discharges delayed in Bolton is 6.48%, compared to the national average of 12.3%. This lower percentage indicates that Bolton is performing well in ensuring patients are discharged promptly. Timely discharges can reduce hospital overcrowding and improve patient flow.
The average delay in Bolton is 0.28 days, less than half of the national average of 0.7 days. Shorter delays mean that patients spend less time waiting for care or services. This efficiency could be due to effective coordination between health and social care providers in Bolton.
In 2024, 69.9% of respondents in Bolton said they were satisfied with their care and support, higher than the national average of 64.7%. This suggests that the services provided in Bolton are meeting the needs of most residents. High satisfaction levels can be linked to quality service delivery and effective support systems.
However, another source, NatCen, reports that 57% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with social care. This discrepancy might indicate that while some aspects of care are satisfactory, others need improvement. It could also reflect differences in survey methods or populations surveyed.
About 73.3% of people using services in Bolton feel it's easy to find information about services, which is above the national average of 68.2%. This suggests that Bolton has effective communication channels and resources to inform residents about available services. Easy access to information can empower people to seek help when needed and make informed decisions.
In 2024, the number of ombudsman cases received in Bolton was 3.64 per 100,000 people, slightly lower than the national average of 4.45 per 100,000. The number of cases decided was 2.65 per 100,000, also below the national average of 4.12 per 100,000. Fewer ombudsman cases might indicate fewer complaints about services or effective resolution of issues before escalation.
The data suggests that Bolton is performing well in several areas of social care and health services. Lower delays and higher satisfaction rates point towards effective service delivery. However, the higher levels of deprivation might increase demand for services. The council may need to continue focusing on accessible information and timely care to meet the needs of a potentially vulnerable population.
The discrepancy in satisfaction levels indicates areas for improvement. Understanding why some residents are dissatisfied can help target specific issues. Investing in community engagement and feedback mechanisms could provide insights into residents' concerns.
Overall, Bolton seems to be managing its resources effectively, but ongoing efforts are needed to address challenges related to deprivation and potential unmet needs. By leveraging its strengths in timely service delivery and information accessibility, Bolton can continue to improve the quality of care for 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 examines the overall spending on social care in Bolton for the year 2024. We compare Bolton's expenditure with national averages and consider factors such as population size, density, and deprivation levels to understand the context of these figures.
In 2024, Bolton's gross total expenditure on social care is £46,205.31 per 100,000 people. This is slightly lower than the national average of £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. The gross expenditure represents the total amount spent before accounting for any income from contributions.
Bolton's slightly lower expenditure could be influenced by its population characteristics. The town's population has been steadily increasing, from 294,888 in 2019 to 302,383 in 2023. This growth may spread resources thinner compared to areas with slower population growth. Bolton also has a lower population density of 2,117 residents per square kilometre, compared to the England average of 2,468.5 residents per square kilometre. Lower density can affect the cost of delivering services, as care providers may need to travel further between clients.
The net total expenditure, which is the gross expenditure minus income from client and NHS contributions, is £37,609.92 per 100,000 people in Bolton. This is below the national average of £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. The lower net expenditure suggests that Bolton receives higher contributions from clients and the NHS, reducing the net cost to the local authority.
Clients in Bolton contribute £8,595.39 per 100,000 people towards social care, higher than the national average of £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This greater contribution may reflect that more residents are means-tested and required to pay for services. It could also indicate that there are more service users able to contribute financially, possibly due to demographic factors.
The NHS contributes £10,381.54 per 100,000 people to social care in Bolton, exceeding the national average of £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. This higher contribution may be due to a greater integration of health and social care services in Bolton. It could also suggest that the population has higher health-related needs, requiring more support from the NHS.
Bolton has a mean deprivation decile of 4.21, lower than the England average of 5.9. This indicates that Bolton is more deprived than many other areas. A higher level of deprivation is often associated with greater demand for social care services, as residents may have more complex needs. The mean deprivation rank of 12,005.48, compared to the national mean of 17,686.4, supports this.
The percentage of rural areas in Bolton is 3.7%, much lower than the England average of 34.6%. The urban setting may influence the type of social care needed and how services are delivered. Urban areas may face different challenges, such as higher demand density, but can also benefit from shorter distances between service users.
Bolton's overall spending on social care per 100,000 people is slightly below the national average. Higher contributions from clients and the NHS reduce the net expenditure for the local authority. Factors like population growth, higher deprivation levels, and an urban environment may affect both the demand for social care and the funding required. Understanding these factors is important for planning and allocating resources effectively to meet the needs of Bolton's residents.
✨ ✅ ❌