This page provides an overview of social care in Bracknell Forest, 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: Bracknell Forest
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: Bracknell Forest
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 Bracknell Forest. Understanding the types of care available can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving personal care may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a high number of people receiving respite care may suggest a need for additional support for carers.
ASCFR and SALT Data Tables 2023-24 Sheet T34
The proportion of disabled people in Bracknell Forest stands at 14.5%, which is lower than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that fewer residents in the area are living with disabilities compared to the rest of the country. Factors such as a younger population demographic, better overall health, and effective local health initiatives may contribute to this lower percentage.
In 2024, there were 815 requests for care from working-age adults in Bracknell Forest. This equates to 634.98 requests per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 1,143.48 per 100,000. The reduced number of requests could indicate that fewer individuals require assistance, possibly due to the lower disability rate. Alternatively, it may suggest that some residents are not accessing the care services they need, potentially due to lack of awareness or barriers to entry.
The number of people aged 18 to 64 receiving care services in Bracknell Forest is 490, which is 381.77 per 100,000 people. This is below the national average of 532.68 per 100,000. When looking at specific care types, the trend continues. Residential care services cater to 31.16 per 100,000 people in the area, compared to the national figure of 60.61. Community care through direct payments serves 58.43 per 100,000 people, while the national average is 122.17 per 100,000. These figures suggest that utilisation of care services in Bracknell Forest is generally lower than elsewhere.
The lower demand for care services may be linked to the area's socio-economic profile. Bracknell Forest has a mean deprivation decile of 7.96, higher than the national average of 5.9, indicating lower levels of deprivation. Less deprived areas often experience better health outcomes, which can reduce the need for care services. Additionally, with only 6.5% of the area being rural compared to the national average of 34.6%, accessibility to services may be higher, potentially supporting residents in maintaining independence.
However, it's important to consider whether these lower figures truly reflect the needs of the community. There may be unmet needs if individuals are unaware of available services or face obstacles in accessing them. Efforts to improve outreach and information dissemination could help ensure that all who require assistance are supported.
Looking ahead to 2025, Bracknell Forest saw 2.34 requests per 100,000 people for help with care plans, surpassing the national rate of 1.39. This increase may indicate a growing awareness of available support or an emerging need for more structured assistance. On the other hand, requests for assessments, charging, and information seeking remained below national averages, suggesting areas where service engagement could be enhanced.
The population of Bracknell Forest has been steadily increasing, rising from 121,660 in 2019 to 128,351 in 2023. With population growth, the demand for care services is likely to rise. Planning for future service provision is essential to meet this potential increase. The area's population density is 1,139.2 residents per square kilometre, which is less than the national average of 2,468.5. While Bracknell Forest is predominantly urban, the lower density may impact how services are delivered and accessed.
In conclusion, Bracknell Forest exhibits lower rates of disability and care service utilisation compared to national figures. While this may reflect a healthier population with fewer care needs, it's crucial to ensure that all residents have access to necessary services. Ongoing assessment of community needs, coupled with proactive service delivery and resource allocation, will support the well-being of residents as the population continues to grow.
✨ ✅ ❌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 proportion of older people in Bracknell Forest has been steadily increasing from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, older residents made up 14.69% of the population. By 2023, this proportion rose to 15.75%. Although this is below the national average, which was 18.5% in 2023, it shows a clear upward trend in the local older population.
In 2024, there were 3,020 requests for care from individuals aged 65 and over in Bracknell Forest. This equates to 2,352.92 requests per 100,000 people. The national average for requests per 100,000 was slightly higher at 2,437.85. This suggests that older residents in Bracknell Forest are requesting care services at a rate comparable to the national level, though slightly lower.
A total of 815 older people were receiving care services in Bracknell Forest in 2024. This is equal to 634.98 individuals per 100,000 people. Compared to the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000, Bracknell Forest has a lower rate of older people receiving care. This could indicate that fewer older residents need care services, or that there may be barriers to accessing care.
Older residents in Bracknell Forest received various types of care in 2024:
Nursing Care: 210 individuals received nursing care, which is 163.61 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 121.75 per 100,000, suggesting a greater reliance on nursing services locally.
Residential Care: 125 individuals were in residential care, amounting to 97.39 per 100,000. This is significantly lower than the national average of 249.93 per 100,000, indicating that fewer older people in Bracknell Forest are using residential care.
Community Care: Community care services included direct payments only (65 people), part direct payments (35 people), and council-managed personal budgets (370 people). The rates per 100,000 for these services were generally lower than national averages, especially for council-managed personal budgets, which was 288.27 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 507.92 per 100,000.
The increasing older population in Bracknell Forest, along with lower rates of care service usage compared to national figures, can be interpreted in several ways. The area has a relatively low deprivation level, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.96 compared to the national mean of 5.9. This suggests that residents may have higher incomes and potentially better health, leading to less reliance on public care services.
Additionally, the population density in Bracknell Forest is lower than the national average, with 1,139.2 residents per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5 nationally. This could impact the accessibility and delivery of care services, as services might be more spread out or less readily available.
The higher reliance on nursing care could indicate that when older residents in Bracknell Forest do need care, they may require more intensive services. The lower use of residential and community care might reflect personal preferences to stay at home or potential gaps in service provision.
These factors imply that local authorities should consider enhancing community-based care services to support older residents who prefer to remain independent. By addressing potential barriers to accessing care, such as availability and awareness, service providers can ensure that the needs of the older population are met effectively.
Bracknell Forest is experiencing a gradual increase in its older population. Despite this growth, the usage of care services among older residents is lower than national averages. Factors such as lower deprivation levels and population density may contribute to this trend. To support the well-being of older people, it is important for local policymakers to understand these dynamics and tailor care services accordingly. Enhancing accessibility and expanding community care options could better meet the needs of Bracknell Forest's aging population.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
This analysis looks at unpaid carers in Bracknell Forest, focusing on their support and wellbeing. By comparing local figures with national averages, we can understand the needs of carers in this area.
In 2021, there were about 8,773 unpaid carers in Bracknell Forest. This is 7,004 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national rate of 8,204 per 100,000. The smaller number might be due to the area's younger population or different family setups. As the population has grown from 121,660 in 2019 to 128,351 in 2023, the number of carers may rise in the future.
In 2024, 33.3% of carers in Bracknell Forest said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is higher than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Bracknell Forest may find it easier to stay connected with others. However, many carers still feel lonely, so more support is needed to help them socialize.
Also in 2024, 63.5% of carers in Bracknell Forest felt it was easy to find information about services. This is better than the national average of 59.3%. It shows that local services are doing well in providing information. Keeping this up will help carers find the support they need.
When it comes to direct support, 206.5 per 100,000 carers in Bracknell Forest received direct payments in 2024. This is higher than the national rate of 149.9 per 100,000. It means that more carers in the area are getting financial help directly. For information and advice services, 229.8 per 100,000 carers used them, which is lower than the national average of 338.7 per 100,000. This suggests there may be room to improve these services locally.
Only 11.7 per 100,000 carers in Bracknell Forest received no direct support, much lower than the national figure of 129.6 per 100,000. This indicates that most carers in the area are getting some form of help, which is positive.
Bracknell Forest has lower levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.96 compared to the national average of 5.9. The area is also mostly urban, with only 6.5% rural areas, unlike the national average of 34.6%. This urban setting may make it easier for carers to access services and support.
As the local population continues to grow, there may be more demand for unpaid carers. It is important for local services to plan ahead to meet this need. Improving social opportunities for carers and making information even more accessible can help support them. Providing direct payments and advice services will continue to be important for carers' wellbeing in Bracknell Forest.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Bracknell Forest is a borough with a growing population. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of residents increased from 121,660 to 128,351. This growth means more people may need care services.
In 2024, Bracknell Forest had 17 community-based adult social care services and 15 residential social care providers. The average numbers across England were 63.8 and 91 respectively. This shows that Bracknell Forest has fewer care providers than many other areas. With fewer providers, residents might find it harder to access the care they need.
About 25% of care providers in Bracknell Forest were rated as needing improvement or inadequate in 2024. This is higher than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that a significant number of local care providers might not be meeting the expected standards. The quality of care can affect the well-being of those who rely on these services.
The vacancy rate for care staff in Bracknell Forest was 14.91% in 2023/24, much higher than the average of 8.4%. A high vacancy rate means many positions are unfilled, which can put extra pressure on existing staff and affect the quality of care.
Retaining staff is also a challenge. In Bracknell Forest, 72.39% of care providers said it was more challenging or much more challenging to retain staff, compared to the average of 68.1%. Recruiting new staff is even harder, with 82.9% finding it more challenging or much more challenging, higher than the average of 79.8%. This means that care providers are struggling to keep and find the staff they need.
Bracknell Forest is less densely populated than the average, with 1,139.2 people per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5. It is also less deprived, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.96, while the average is 5.9. This means the area is relatively well-off.
However, living in a well-off area can be expensive. Care workers often earn low wages, so they might find it hard to afford to live in Bracknell Forest. This could be one reason why it is hard to recruit and retain staff. With limited rural areas (6.5% compared to 34.6% on average), there might be fewer local people available for care jobs.
The lack of staff can affect the quality of care. When there are not enough workers, existing staff may have to work longer hours, which can lead to burnout. This might explain why more care providers in Bracknell Forest need improvement.
Having fewer care providers means that residents might have to wait longer for services or travel further to access care. This can be especially hard for older people or those with disabilities.
To improve the situation, Bracknell Forest could look at ways to attract more care workers. This might include offering better pay or benefits, providing training opportunities, or helping with housing costs. Supporting care providers to improve their services can also help ensure that residents receive high-quality care.
Bracknell Forest faces challenges with its care providers, including fewer services, higher vacancy rates, and staffing difficulties. Addressing these issues is important to meet the needs of the growing population. By focusing on recruiting and retaining staff and supporting care providers to improve, Bracknell Forest can help ensure that its residents receive the care they need.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Bracknell Forest has been assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with a rating of 'Good' for the year 2024/25. The CQC Local Authority assessment score is 64, which is close to the national average of 64.7. This reflects well on the overall quality of care and support services in the area.
In November 2024, Bracknell Forest had a high rate of acceptable discharges from trusts, with 98.6% compared to the national average of 89%. This suggests that most patients are being discharged properly from hospitals to the local authority's care.
However, 16.1% of discharges were delayed, which is higher than the national average of 12.3%. This indicates that some patients are staying in hospital longer than necessary. Delays might be due to challenges in arranging care packages or support in the community.
The average delay per delayed discharge was 0.72 days, slightly above the national average of 0.7 days. While not a significant difference, reducing these delays could help improve patient flow and free up hospital beds.
In 2024, 61.8% of respondents in Bracknell Forest said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is a bit below the national average of 64.7%. It shows that there is room for improvement in meeting service users' needs and expectations.
Another source, NatCen, reports that dissatisfaction with social care in Bracknell Forest was at 57%. Although we do not have the national average for comparison, this suggests a notable number of residents are not happy with the social care services they receive.
On a positive note, 72% of people using services in Bracknell Forest felt it was easy to find information about services, higher than the national average of 68.2%. This means the local authority provides good access to information, helping residents make informed choices about their care.
In 2024, the number of complaints received by the ombudsman in Bracknell Forest was 2.34 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average of 4.45. The number of complaints decided was 3.90 per 100,000, also below the national average of 4.12. This could mean fewer issues are escalating to formal complaints, suggesting general satisfaction or effective resolution at earlier stages.
Bracknell Forest has a growing population, increasing from 121,660 in 2019 to 128,351 in 2023. The population density is 1,139 people per square kilometre, less than the England average of 2,468.5. This lower density might affect service delivery, as services may be spread over a wider area compared to more densely populated regions.
The area is less deprived than average, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.96 compared to the England mean of 5.9. This suggests that residents may face fewer social and economic challenges, which can influence health and social care needs.
Only 6.5% of Bracknell Forest is rural, much less than the national average of 34.6%. This urban setting can impact the availability and accessibility of services, possibly making it easier to provide comprehensive care.
The data shows that while Bracknell Forest performs well in some areas, such as acceptable hospital discharges and providing information about services, there are challenges with delayed discharges and service user satisfaction. Addressing the causes of delays and improving satisfaction should be priorities for the local authority.
With a growing population and urban environment, there may be increasing demand for services. The relatively low deprivation levels suggest that resources could be focused on enhancing service quality and efficiency. By tackling delays and enhancing support, Bracknell Forest can aim to raise satisfaction levels and continue to provide good quality care.
✨ ✅ ❌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, Bracknell Forest spent £46,591.77 per 100,000 people on social care. This is slightly less than the national average of £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means that Bracknell Forest spends a bit less on social care compared to other areas in England.
The net total spending in Bracknell Forest was £40,568.44 per 100,000 people. This is very close to the England average of £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. After considering money received from clients and the NHS, Bracknell Forest's spending matches the national average.
People in Bracknell Forest contributed £6,023.33 per 100,000 people towards their care. This is less than the national average of £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This could mean that residents pay less for their care compared to other areas. Possible reasons might be higher incomes or different costs of services.
The NHS contributed £5,953.21 per 100,000 people to social care in Bracknell Forest. This is also less than the national average of £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. This might suggest that the NHS provides less funding for social care in this area.
Bracknell Forest has a growing population. In 2019, there were 121,660 people. By 2023, the number increased to 128,351 people. The area is less crowded than average, with 1,139.2 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,468.5 in England. This lower population density could affect the demand for social care services.
The area is less deprived, with a deprivation decile of 7.96, higher than the England average of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. This suggests that people in Bracknell Forest might need fewer social care services due to better living conditions.
Only 6.5% of Bracknell Forest is rural, while the England average is 34.6%. With most people living in urban areas, services can be provided more easily and at a lower cost.
The lower spending on social care might be due to the area's lower deprivation and higher incomes. However, as the population grows, the demand for social care might increase. It is important for local planners to consider this and ensure that services meet future needs.
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