This page provides an overview of social care in Bristol, 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: Bristol, City of
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: Bristol, City of
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 Bristol. 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 Bristol, 19.4% of the population are disabled, according to age-standardised figures. This is higher than the national average of 17.6%. This means that Bristol has more people with disabilities compared to other parts of England. Factors like the city's population make-up and local conditions might contribute to this difference.
In 2024, there were 6,270 requests for care from people aged 18 to 64 in Bristol. While we do not have the per capita figure for Bristol, the national average is 1,143.48 requests per 100,000 people. The higher number of requests in Bristol may show that more working-age adults need care services. This could be due to the higher proportion of disabled people in the city.
Also in 2024, 3,035 people aged 18 to 64 received care services in Bristol. The national average is 532.68 per 100,000 people. Although we do not have Bristol's per capita figure, the higher raw number suggests that many working-age adults in the city are getting support. This may reflect a greater need for services or better access to care in Bristol.
Bristol offers various types of care services to its residents aged 18 to 64. In 2024, 80 people received nursing care, and 380 received residential care. Community care is significant, with 475 people getting direct payments only, 180 part direct payments, and 1,660 receiving council-managed personal budgets. Additionally, 240 people received council-commissioned support. The large number of people using community care suggests that services provided at home or locally are important in Bristol.
In 2025, people in Bristol made several requests for help. For example, 31 people asked for help with charging, which is slightly higher per capita (6.42 per 100,000) than the national average of 5.72. There were 21 requests for information seeking, higher than the national average of 2.6 per 100,000. These figures may indicate that people in Bristol need more assistance understanding costs and finding information about services. Other requests, like help with assessments and care plans, were similar to national averages.
Bristol's population has been growing, reaching 482,998 in 2023, which is higher than the national average of 377,060.9. The city is densely populated, with 4,308.1 residents per square kilometre compared to England's average of 2,468.5. Bristol also has a higher level of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.63, while the national average is 5.9. These factors may contribute to the higher number of disabled people and the greater need for care services. A dense urban environment and higher deprivation levels can impact health and increase demand for support.
The data suggests that Bristol may need to allocate more resources to support disabled people, especially among the working-age population. The reliance on community care highlights the importance of these services, and investment in them could improve outcomes for residents. The higher requests for help with charging and information point to a need for better communication and support in these areas. Addressing deprivation and its effects might also help reduce disability rates and improve the well-being of people in Bristol.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Bristol has stayed around 12.8% from 2019 to 2023. This is lower than the national average, which has been between 18.4% and 18.9% during the same years. This means that Bristol has a younger population compared to the rest of England.
Bristol's population has grown from 469,920 in 2019 to 482,998 in 2023. Even with more people living in the city, the percentage of older residents has not changed much. Bristol is a city with high population density, having 4,308.1 people per square kilometre, compared to the England average of 2,468.5. This shows that Bristol is a busy, urban area.
The city has a mean deprivation decile of 4.63, which is lower than the national average of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This suggests that Bristol faces more challenges related to poverty and access to services. There is also a high variation in deprivation across the city, with a standard deviation of 2.8, higher than the England average of 2.3. This means that some areas in Bristol are much more deprived than others.
In 2025, data shows that older people in Bristol requested help in various areas. For example, 31 people asked for help with Charging, which is about 6.42 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 5.72 per 100,000. Similarly, 21 people sought help with Information Seeking, which is 4.35 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 2.6 per 100,000. These higher rates suggest that older people in Bristol may have more difficulties with costs and accessing information about services.
The lack of rural areas in Bristol (0% rural compared to the national average of 34.6%) might affect the support networks available to older people. In rural areas, there might be stronger community ties that help older residents. In a city like Bristol, older people might feel more isolated and need more formal support.
The data implies that even though there are fewer older people in Bristol compared to the national average, those who are older might face more challenges. The higher levels of deprivation and the urban environment may contribute to the needs of older residents. Providing better access to information and support with costs could help improve their quality of life.
For service delivery, this means that resources should be directed towards helping older people navigate services and manage costs. Policies that address deprivation could also benefit the older population. As Bristol's population continues to grow, the number of older people may increase, even if the percentage stays the same. Planning for this future need is important.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Bristol is a city with a growing population. In 2023, it had 482,998 people, which is more than the average city in England. Bristol is also crowded, with 4,308.1 people per square kilometre, compared to the England average of 2,468.5. The city has higher levels of poverty, with a deprivation score of 4.63, lower than the England average of 5.9. This means Bristol faces more challenges related to poverty.
In 2021, we do not have data on how many unpaid carers there are in Bristol per 100,000 people. The national average is 8,203.68 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. Given Bristol's large population and higher poverty levels, it is possible that there are many unpaid carers in the city. Without exact numbers, it is hard to know for sure, but the need for unpaid care may be high.
In 2024, 27.8% of carers in Bristol said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is a bit less than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that many carers in Bristol might feel lonely or isolated. Living in a busy city like Bristol can make it hard to connect with others, especially if carers are very busy looking after someone.
Also in 2024, 61.2% of carers in Bristol found it easy to get information about services. This is better than the national average of 59.3%. This shows that Bristol is good at providing carers with the information they need. Having access to information can help carers feel supported and might make their roles easier.
We do not have data for Bristol on different types of support given to carers in 2024. Nationally, the number of people receiving various kinds of support per 100,000 people ranges from about 44.83 to 338.7. Without local numbers, we cannot compare Bristol to the rest of the country. However, because Bristol has higher poverty and is densely populated, carers might face challenges in accessing certain types of support.
In 2025, Bristol had a value of 2 in a certain carers measure, with a rate of 0.4141 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 0.75 per 100,000. Without knowing exactly what this measure is, it is difficult to interpret. It might indicate that fewer carers in Bristol are using a specific service or support.
The information suggests that carers in Bristol may feel isolated and could benefit from more social support. While they find it relatively easy to access information, enhancing social networks could improve their wellbeing. Considering the city's higher poverty levels and urban setting, tailored services might be needed to meet the unique needs of carers in Bristol. Providing more opportunities for social interaction and ensuring access to various support services could make a positive difference in their lives.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Bristol, the care sector shows both strengths and challenges. In 2024, only 4.64% of care providers were rated as needing improvement or being inadequate. This is much lower than the national average of 16.8%. It means that most care providers in Bristol offer good quality services compared to other areas in England.
The turnover rate of care staff in Bristol for 2023/24 is 26.05%, slightly below the regional average of 26.1% in the South West. This suggests that staff are staying in their jobs a bit more in Bristol than in other nearby places. The vacancy rate in Bristol is 7.71%, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. Fewer vacancies can mean that jobs are being filled more effectively, and there may be more stability in the workforce.
Even with lower turnover and vacancy rates, many care providers in Bristol find it hard to hire and keep staff. In 2024, 89.45% of providers said that recruiting staff was more challenging or much more challenging. This is higher than the South West average of 79.8%. Also, 76.68% of providers found it more challenging to retain staff, compared to the regional average of 68.1%. This shows that while staff may be staying longer once hired, finding new staff is a significant difficulty.
Bristol's population has been growing, reaching 482,998 people in 2023. This is higher than the average population of 377,060.9 in England. Bristol is also much more densely populated, with 4,308.1 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5. A higher population density can mean more people need care services, increasing demand on providers.
Bristol has higher levels of deprivation. In 2019, the mean deprivation decile was 4.63, lower than the England average of 5.9. The deprivation decile ranks areas from most deprived (1) to least deprived (10). A lower score means more deprivation. Bristol's mean deprivation rank is 13,542.15, compared to the national average of 17,686.4. Higher deprivation can lead to greater health and social care needs among the population.
The combination of a growing, densely populated city with higher deprivation levels means that demand for care services in Bristol is likely increasing. Care providers may be struggling to recruit staff due to competition for workers in the urban job market, higher living costs, or a lack of affordable housing for potential staff. Even though the quality of care is high, these staffing challenges could impact the ability of providers to meet the needs of the community.
Addressing the recruitment and retention challenges is important for Bristol. Possible steps include offering better wages, providing more training opportunities, and improving working conditions to make care jobs more attractive. Support from local and national governments could help care providers with resources to recruit and keep staff. Focusing on these areas can help ensure that the high quality of care in Bristol continues, and that all who need care can access it.
Bristol's care providers are performing well in terms of quality, with fewer needing improvement compared to the national average. However, the city faces challenges with staffing in the care sector. By understanding the factors contributing to these issues, such as population growth, density, and deprivation, stakeholders can work towards solutions. Ensuring sufficient staff in the care sector is vital for meeting the needs of Bristol's residents now and in the future.
✨ ✅ ❌Historically, hospital delays have been due in large part, to the inability to discharge patients into social care. We no longer have DTOC data, but we can still look at the number of hospital delays and the number of facilities requiring improvement.
CQC, as the regulator of health and social care services in England, is beginning to rate Local Authorities on their social care provision. Understanding the CQC rating of a local authority should be used as the most official evaluation of service care provision. For example, a low rating may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high rating may suggest that existing services are effective.
Hospital delays can have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes, and are in large part the result of not having invested sufficiently in social care. Understanding the number of hospital delays in a local authority can be a sympthom of a poorly working social care sector. For example, a high number of hospital delays may indicate a need for improved discharge planning and coordination, not enough places to discharge people to, lack of sufficient staff to assess patients, or a lack of care providers.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
This metric illustrates how long patients are delayed in hospital before being discharged. Higher average delays mean that patients are spending more time in hospital than necessary, which can lead to increased costs, reduced bed availability, and poorer patient outcomes. This also means that the beds are not available for people that might desperately need them for life-saving procedures.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) refers to the time between a patient being declared medically fit for discharge and actually leaving the hospital. Understanding the number of DTOCs in a local authority can help identify precisely where the social care system is failing.
Unfortunately, this dataset is no longer being generated.
Reablement is a short-term service that helps people regain independence and confidence after a period of illness or injury. Understanding the number of people receiving reablement services can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving reablement services may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a low number of people receiving reablement services may suggest that existing services are effective.
Coming soon!
Service user satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of social care services. Understanding service user satisfaction can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of service user satisfaction may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high level of service user satisfaction may suggest that existing services are effective.
It is important to note that the people surveyed are already receiving service care. Notably absent are all the people that are not yet lucky enough to be receiving care.
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 1
Access to information is crucial for people using social care services to navigate the system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for people to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of people finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 13
An ombudsman is a person who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and organisations. The number of cases received and decided by the Ombudsman is important because it provides insight into the volume of complaints about a local authority’s social care services and how effectively these complaints are being addressed. The number of cases received indicates the level of dissatisfaction or systemic issues within a council’s care provision, while the number of cases decided shows how efficiently the Ombudsman is processing and resolving complaints. A large gap between the two may suggest delays in complaint handling, leaving individuals waiting.
It is important to note that contacting the Ombudsman is widely considered a last resort, often discouraged, and sometimes penalised.
Bristol's social care services show varied performance compared to national averages. In November 2024, there were 100 discharges from acceptable trusts in Bristol, higher than the national average of 89. This suggests that Bristol manages patient discharges efficiently, possibly due to effective hospital processes or higher service demand.
The percentage of delayed discharges in Bristol was 13.28%, slightly above the national average of 12.3%. The average delay was 1.17 days, compared to 0.7 days nationally. These delays may be due to the city's larger population and higher service demand, which can strain resources and affect discharge times.
In 2024, 62.1% of respondents in Bristol said they were satisfied with their care and support, slightly below the national average of 64.7%. This indicates that while many are satisfied, there is room for improvement. Another survey by NatCen showed a dissatisfaction rate of 57% in Bristol. This difference could be due to different survey methods or areas of focus.
About 68.3% of people using services in Bristol felt it was easy to find information about services, similar to the national average of 68.2%. This suggests that Bristol provides accessible information, helping residents to find the support they need.
Bristol had 5.59 ombudsman complaints received per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 4.45. Complaints decided were 4.35 per 100,000, compared to 4.12 nationally. This may reflect higher dissatisfaction or greater awareness of the complaints process in Bristol. Addressing these complaints can help improve service quality.
Bristol's population has grown from 469,920 in 2019 to 482,998 in 2023, higher than the national average. The city is densely populated, with 4,308.1 residents per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5 nationally. This urban density can increase demand for social care services, potentially leading to longer wait times and resource challenges.
The mean deprivation decile in Bristol is 4.63, lower than the national average of 5.9. A lower decile indicates higher deprivation. The standard deviation of 2.8 suggests wide disparities within the city. Higher deprivation can increase the need for social support, affecting satisfaction and service demand.
The higher percentage of delayed discharges and average delay times may be due to Bristol's growing and dense population, putting pressure on healthcare services. Addressing staffing levels and resource allocation could help reduce delays.
Lower satisfaction rates might be linked to the higher deprivation levels. Ensuring equitable access to quality services across all areas of Bristol can help improve satisfaction.
The higher rate of ombudsman complaints suggests areas where services might not meet expectations. Focusing on resolving these issues can enhance trust and service quality.
Overall, Bristol's population size, density, and deprivation levels influence its social care dynamics. Tailored strategies addressing these factors can improve service efficiency, satisfaction, and outcomes for 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.
✨ ✅ ❌?
Bristol's spending on social care in 2024 is not available. The national average gross total expenditure on social care is £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. The net total expenditure is £40,471.81 per 100,000 people.
Bristol is a large city with 482,998 people in 2023. This is more than the England average of 377,060.9 people. The city is very crowded, with 4,308.1 people per square kilometre. The England average is 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. Bristol has no rural areas.
The city has higher levels of deprivation. The mean deprivation decile in Bristol is 4.63, lower than the England average of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. The mean deprivation rank is 13,542.15, while the England average is 17,686.4. This means Bristol is more deprived than many other places.
Because of its large population and higher deprivation, Bristol may need more social care services. More people and higher poverty can lead to greater demand for help. It is important that social care spending meets the needs of the people in Bristol.
The government knows how much money is needed for social care. They should make sure that Bristol gets enough funding. Policies should think about Bristol's higher deprivation and population when giving out resources.
✨ ✅ ❌