This page provides an overview of social care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, 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.
IMD 2019 for the Lower Tier Local Authorities: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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.
IMD 2019 for the Lower Tier Local Authorities: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, 17.8% of the population are disabled. This is slightly higher than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that the area has a similar proportion of disabled people compared to the rest of England.
In 2024, there were 2,730 requests for care from working-age adults (aged 18 to 64). This equals 676 requests per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 1,143 requests per 100,000 people. This could mean that fewer working-age disabled people in the area are seeking support, or that they have other means of assistance.
A total of 1,755 working-age adults received care services in 2024. This is 434 people per 100,000, compared to the national average of 533 per 100,000. The lower number might indicate that disabled people in the area have less need for care services, or it could reflect barriers to accessing support.
In residential care, 290 people were supported, which is 72 people per 100,000. This is higher than the national average of 61 per 100,000. This suggests a greater reliance on residential care in the area. For nursing care, 40 people were supported, equalling 10 per 100,000, which is slightly lower than the national average of 14 per 100,000.
Community-based support, such as direct payments and personal budgets, had lower uptake compared to national figures. For example, 320 people received direct payments only, which is 79 per 100,000, while the national average is 122 per 100,000. This might mean that people prefer residential care over community support, or there may be less awareness or availability of these options.
People in the area requested help with various services. For assessments, there were 14 requests (3.5 per 100,000), which is higher than the national average of 1.7 per 100,000. This could indicate that more people are seeking to understand their care needs.
There were 21 requests for help with charging (5.2 per 100,000), close to the national average of 5.7 per 100,000. Requests for information seeking were 8 (2 per 100,000), below the national average of 2.6 per 100,000. This suggests that people might have better access to information or require less assistance in this area.
The population of Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole in 2023 was 404,050, slightly higher than the national average of 377,061. The population density is 2,469 people per square kilometre, similar to the national average. This urban setting might influence the types of services needed and available.
The area has a mean deprivation decile of 6.06, slightly less deprived than the national average of 5.9. Lower deprivation might contribute to fewer requests for care services, as people may have better health or more resources to manage independently.
Only 0.14% of the area is rural, compared to 34.6% nationally. Urban areas often have more accessible services but might also have higher living costs, impacting disabled people differently.
The data suggests that while the proportion of disabled people is similar to the national average, there are fewer requests for care and fewer people receiving services per capita. This might indicate unmet needs or barriers to accessing care. The higher use of residential care over community-based support could suggest a need to promote alternative care options that allow people to live independently.
Service providers might consider outreach programs to understand why fewer people are seeking help. There may be a need for more information about available services, especially community-based support. Policymakers could look into whether current services meet the needs of disabled people or if adjustments are necessary.
Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole have a slightly higher proportion of disabled people but lower engagement with care services compared to national figures. Understanding the reasons behind this could help improve support for disabled residents, ensuring they have access to the care 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
The number of older people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has been rising over the past five years. In 2019, older people made up 21.5% of the population. By 2023, this increased to 21.8%. This is higher than the national average, which was about 18.5% during the same time. This means there are more older people in this area compared to other places in England.
In 2024, 7,910 people aged 65 and over asked for care services. This is 1,958 people per 100,000 residents. The national average is higher, at 2,438 people per 100,000. Even though there are more older people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, fewer are asking for care. This might mean that older people here are healthier or have support from family and friends. It could also mean that some older people are not asking for help when they need it.
Also in 2024, 3,860 older people were receiving care services. This is 955 people per 100,000 residents, which is slightly less than the national average of 1,003 per 100,000. Looking at the types of care, 387 people per 100,000 are in residential care. This is more than the national average of 250 per 100,000. However, only 82 people per 100,000 are in nursing care, which is less than the national average of 122 per 100,000. Fewer older people are receiving care in their own homes compared to the rest of the country.
In 2025, some older people asked for specific types of help. Requests for assessments were higher than the national average, with 3.5 people per 100,000 compared to 1.7 per 100,000 nationally. Requests for help with legal issues and complaints were also higher. However, fewer people asked for help with care plans, charging, and safeguarding compared to other areas. This might mean that while some older people are seeking certain types of support, others might not know about the help available.
The total population of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has grown from 400,182 in 2019 to 404,050 in 2023. The area is more densely populated than the national average, with 2,469 people per square kilometre. Few people live in rural areas here, unlike the rest of England. The area is slightly less deprived than average, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.06 compared to 5.9 nationally. This could mean that people here have better living conditions and access to services.
Even with more older people living in the area, fewer are using care services compared to other places. Service providers might want to look into why this is happening. It could be helpful to check if older people know about the services available to them. There might be barriers that prevent them from accessing care, like lack of information or difficulties in applying for services.
The higher use of residential care suggests that older people prefer this type of support. Understanding their preferences can help in planning services that meet their needs. Since fewer people are receiving care at home, increasing support for home care might be beneficial.
Overall, focusing on the specific needs of older people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole can improve their well-being. Providing information and making services more accessible could help older residents get the support they require.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) have a significant number of unpaid carers. In 2021, there were about 33,390 unpaid carers in the area. This means there are 8,335 unpaid carers for every 100,000 people, which is slightly higher than the England average of 8,204 per 100,000. This suggests that more people in BCP are providing care to family or friends without pay.
In BCP, 32% of carers reported that they have as much social contact as they would like. This is a bit higher than the national average of 29.3%. This means that carers in BCP might feel less isolated than carers in other parts of England. Good social contact can be important for carers' wellbeing.
The types of support that carers receive in BCP differ from the national patterns. Only 16 carers per 100,000 receive direct payments, much less than the England average of 150 per 100,000. Direct payments allow carers to choose and buy services they need. Similarly, 24 carers per 100,000 receive part direct payments, below the national average of 45 per 100,000.
However, 501 carers per 100,000 in BCP receive a managed personal budget from the local council. This is much higher than the England average of 66 per 100,000. A managed personal budget means the council arranges services for the carer. BCP also provides information and advice services to 1,021 carers per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 339 per 100,000. This shows that BCP focuses on guiding carers to find the help they need.
Fewer carers in BCP receive no direct support compared to the national average (104 vs. 130 per 100,000). This indicates that more carers in BCP are getting some form of help.
About 60.2% of carers in BCP feel it is easy to find information about services. This is slightly above the England average of 59.3%. Easy access to information can help carers find support and reduce stress.
BCP’s higher number of unpaid carers may be due to its population size and structure. With a population of over 400,000 people and a density similar to the England average, the demand for care is significant. BCP is less deprived than the average area in England, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.06 out of 10. This might affect the types of support carers need.
The preference for managed personal budgets over direct payments suggests that BCP takes an active role in organising care services for carers. This could help ensure that carers receive appropriate support but might limit their flexibility. The high provision of information and advice services helps carers feel informed and supported.
The fact that more carers in BCP have the social contact they desire and find it easy to access information is positive. It suggests that the services provided are meeting some of their needs. However, the low use of direct payments might mean that carers have less choice in their support.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have a higher proportion of unpaid carers than the national average. Carers in BCP report slightly better social contact and access to information. The area focuses on managed personal budgets and information services to support carers. Service planners might consider offering more direct payments to give carers greater flexibility. Continuing to provide accessible information and support is important to meet carers' needs.
✨ ✅ ❌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
This report examines the state of care providers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. It looks at the number of care providers, their quality, staffing challenges, and how these factors relate to local demographics.
In 2024, there are 88 community-based adult social care services in the area. This is higher than the national average of 63.8. There are also 134 residential social care providers, exceeding the national average of 91. Having more care providers may mean better access to services for residents.
The proportion of care providers needing improvement or found inadequate is 5.8%. This is much lower than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that care providers in the area offer a higher quality of service compared to other regions.
The turnover rate for care staff is 26.05%, similar to the national average of 26.1%. The vacancy rate is 7.66%, slightly below the national average of 8.4%. While these rates are close to national figures, they still indicate that staff retention is a challenge.
A significant 76.68% of care providers find it more challenging to retain staff, compared to the national average of 68.1%. Additionally, 89.45% report more difficulty in recruiting staff, higher than the national average of 79.8%. These challenges could affect the ability to meet care demands.
The population has grown from 400,182 in 2019 to 404,050 in 2023. This is higher than the England average for similar areas. The population density is 2,469.2 people per square kilometre, nearly the same as the national average. A growing and dense population may increase the need for care services.
The area has a mean deprivation decile of 6.06, slightly above the national average of 5.9. This indicates moderate levels of deprivation. The percentage of rural areas is very low at 0.14%, compared to the national average of 34.6%. An urban setting might impact the type of care services required.
The higher number of care providers and the lower proportion needing improvement are positive signs for the area. Residents may have better access to quality care services. However, staffing challenges in recruitment and retention could strain these services.
As the population grows, the demand for care services is likely to increase. The area may need to focus on strategies to attract and keep care staff. This could involve training programs, better working conditions, or incentives.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have a strong base of care providers offering quality services. To maintain and improve this, addressing staffing challenges is essential. Focusing on recruitment and retention will help meet the growing needs of the community.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a large urban area with a population of around 400,000 people. This is higher than the average for England. The area is mostly urban, with very few rural parts.
In November 2024, 99.9% of discharges in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were from acceptable trusts. This is higher than the national average of 89%. This suggests that most patients are leaving hospitals that meet good standards.
However, 12.7% of discharges were delayed, compared to the national average of 12.3%. This means that some patients had to stay in hospital longer than necessary. This could be due to difficulties in arranging care at home or in the community.
The average delay in discharge was 1.06 days. This is higher than the national average of 0.7 days. Longer delays can put pressure on hospital beds and may affect patient wellbeing. It might be harder to find suitable care options quickly in this area.
In 2024, 62.1% of respondents said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is slightly lower than the national average of 64.7%. This suggests that some people feel their needs are not fully met. Reasons might include staffing levels or the quality of services.
Another survey showed a dissatisfaction rate of 57%, though national comparison was not available. This indicates that many people are not happy with social care services.
About 64.3% of people using services felt it was easy to find information about services. This is lower than the national average of 68.2%. This means that over a third of service users find it hard to get the information they need. Improving communication could help people access services more easily.
In 2024, there were 7.92 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 4.45 per 100,000 people. The ombudsman decided on 6.19 complaints per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 4.12 per 100,000 people. This suggests that more people are unhappy with services and feel the need to complain.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has a higher population than average, and it is a densely populated urban area. The area is slightly less deprived than average, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.06 (where 1 is most deprived and 10 is least deprived). However, there is a wide range of deprivation within the area.
The higher population and density may lead to greater demand for services. This can put pressure on hospitals and care services, leading to delays in discharges and lower satisfaction. The mostly urban setting means services need to cater to a large, concentrated population.
The higher rates of complaints to the ombudsman suggest that many people are not satisfied with how their concerns are handled locally. This may point to issues with service quality or communication.
To improve, the area might focus on reducing delays in hospital discharges by improving coordination with care services. Enhancing access to information could help people find the support they need. Addressing the reasons behind complaints and dissatisfaction can lead to better services and higher satisfaction among 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, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole spent more on social care than the national average. The gross total expenditure was £49,456.99 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national mean of £47,758.16 per 100,000 people.
The net total expenditure was also higher. It was £41,008.21 per 100,000 people, compared to the national mean of £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. This means the area is investing more in social care services than other places.
Clients in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole contributed £8,448.77 per 100,000 people. This is more than the national mean of £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This may show that people in the area can pay more for their care.
The NHS also contributed £10,333.35 per 100,000 people. The national mean is £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. This suggests good cooperation between health and social care services in the area.
The population of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is slightly higher than the national average. In 2023, there were 404,050 people living there. The national average was 377,060.9 people. The area is urban, with only a small rural population.
The area is less deprived than the national average. The mean deprivation decile is 6.06, while the national mean is 5.9. This means there may be fewer people facing poverty or hardship. However, there is a wide range in deprivation across the area.
Higher spending on social care may be due to more people needing services. It could also mean that services are better funded. The higher client contributions suggest that people can afford to pay more towards their care.
The higher NHS contributions may show strong links between hospitals and social care. This can help people receive care after they leave hospital. It may also improve overall health and wellbeing.
The data shows that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are investing in social care. This could lead to better services for residents. Policymakers may want to continue supporting this level of funding.
No data is available about budget cuts. The government knows how much money is needed for social care, but has not made this information public.
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