This page provides an overview of social care in Bromley, along with key metrics that could affect social care. Understanding these metrics is important because they help contextualise the challenges with social care provision in each local authority. These statistics are important to keep in mind when reviewing the other pages.
Why are these metrics important? Population size and density can affect the demand for social care services. For example, if a local authority has a high population (relative to other areas), it may need to allocate more resources to meet care needs. Similarly, areas with high population density may require more care services due to the increased number of people living in close proximity. Inversely, areas with a low population density may have fewer care needs, but residents may face challenges accessing services due to the distance between them. Lastly, people in rural areas might live further away from services, which can impact their ability to access care, or make it more expensive to provide.
Understanding these metrics can help local authorities plan and allocate resources effectively.
Deprivation decile is a measure of the level of deprivation in a local authority. It is calculated by ranking areas in England from 1 (most deprived) to 10 (least deprived) based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A higher decile indicates lower levels of deprivation, while a lower decile suggests higher levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation levels can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Deprivation rank is a measure of the relative deprivation of a local authority compared to other areas in England. It is calculated by ranking areas from 1 (most deprived) to 32,844 (least deprived) Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA), which can be thought of as “small areas”. This rank is based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A lower rank indicates higher levels of deprivation, while a higher rank suggests lower levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation ranks can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Many people want care, some receive care, but a significant number go without. What types of care are being requested? What care is actually provided? This section explores the gap between need and provision, the types of care available, and how our own data contributes to the understanding of these challenges.
Access Social Care and other Helplines providers are working to bridge this gap by providing free legal support to people who are struggling to access social care services. This first chart illustrates the types of calls we are getting.
The rest of this page distingushes between the different types of care provided to Working Age People and Older People, as we are able to disaggregate at a greater level of granularity.
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
This plot shows a breakdown of the types of requests for assistance received by Access Social Care and other helplines. Understanding the themes of these calls can identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to housing may indicate a need for more affordable housing options, while a high number of calls related to social care assessments may suggest a need for improved access to care services. The request types are:
Assessments: An assessment is a meeting or form to find out what help someone needs with daily tasks.
Care Plan: A care plan is a written agreement that lists the support you’ll get and who to contact if things change.
Carers: Carers are people who help a disabled or ill person with daily tasks.
Charging: Charging refers to checking if you can afford to pay for some of your care based on your savings.
Information Seeking: Information seeking means getting advice about available care options.
Legal Issues and Complaints: Legal issues and complaints involve reporting problems with your care to the council or an ombudsman.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is protecting people from abuse or neglect.
Of course, high numbers also mean that people know where to call, and this number can be impacted by advocacy efforts. As a counterpoint, areas with low numbers may indicate a lack of awareness of available services or a need for more outreach to connect people with support.
To protect privacy, our minimum bin size is 5, which means that if we field 1-5 queries on a topic, we display 5.
Are you a helpline and would like to combine data resources? Let us know!
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
Working Age People
Knowing how many people are requesting social care, how many people are recieving care and what percent of people are disabled helps understand need and social care provision at a top level. For example, a high number of people requesting care may indicate a need for additional resources or services, while a low number of people receiving care may suggest a gap in service provision. Understanding these metrics can help identify areas where additional support may be needed.
MW was diagnosed with Functional Chronic Pain, she cannot walk without support, she holds on to her furniture to move around the house. She uses a wheelchair, especially when she goes out, with support from friends and family. She lives on second floor with 5 flights because of the way the building is designed and there is no lift. She never goes out because of the difficulties she experiences with the stairs. She needs help with cooking, cleaning, shopping and showering. She relies on friends and her mum who has knee replacement.
She was referred by the Social Prescriber who referred her onto also referred her to Croydon Adult Support, they told her they are short of staff to allocate her a social worker, so she was placed on a long waiting list. MW case still hadn’t progressed until the Social Prescriber, who had been recently trained on the Care Act, referred her to Access Social Care’s free legal Chatbot letter clinic.
The legal clinic volunteer completed a letter to Croydon Council with MW within a week which was sent to Adult Social Services. Access Social Care then called her after two weeks to complete a follow up survey. MW informed them that she had had an assessment and was waiting to hear back from Croydon following the panel meeting. Social Services has now done the assessment after which the panel offered MW 9 hours of social care support.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
This plot shows the types of care provided to working-age people in Bromley. 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 borough of Bromley has an age-standardised disability proportion of 14.3%, which is lower than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that a smaller segment of Bromley's population lives with disabilities compared to the wider country. Despite this, the number of working-age individuals requesting care services in 2024 stands at 3,890, equating to 1,174.65 per 100,000 people. This rate is slightly above the national average of 1,143.48 per 100,000, indicating a higher demand for care services among this group in Bromley.
When examining the provision of care, 1,545 individuals aged 18 to 64 are receiving support, amounting to 466.54 per 100,000 people. This figure is below the national average of 532.68 per 100,000, suggesting that fewer people are receiving care services in Bromley than elsewhere. The discrepancy between higher care requests and lower care provision may point to possible unmet needs or barriers in accessing services.
The types of care services utilised by the 18 to 64 age group in Bromley vary. Community-based support with a managed personal budget is the most common, with 825 individuals (249.12 per 100,000) receiving this service. While this rate is slightly below the national average of 266.67 per 100,000, it reflects a preference for community support. Direct payments as the sole means of community care are received by 310 individuals (93.61 per 100,000), which is lower than the national average of 122.17 per 100,000. Residential care services are provided to 255 individuals (77.00 per 100,000), exceeding the national average of 60.61 per 100,000. This higher reliance on residential care may indicate a lack of alternative community support options or specific needs within the population.
In 2025, various requests for help were recorded in Bromley. Assistance with charging saw the highest demand, with 58 requests (17.51 per 100,000), significantly higher than the national average of 5.72 per 100,000. This could suggest confusion or concerns around care costs among residents. Similarly, requests for help with information seeking and assessments are above the national averages, indicating a possible need for better information dissemination and support during the assessment process.
Bromley's population has remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, hovering around 330,000 residents, with a slight decrease in 2021 and 2022. The borough has a population density of 2,197.7 people per square kilometre, which is less dense than the national average. Bromley is predominantly urban, with only 1.06% of its area classified as rural, significantly less than the England average of 34.6%. The mean deprivation decile score of 7.11 indicates lower levels of deprivation compared to the national mean of 5.9, suggesting that Bromley is relatively affluent.
The lower proportion of disabled people and the lower levels of deprivation may influence the patterns observed in care requests and provision. Despite lower disability rates, the higher demand for care services among the working-age population could reflect specific health needs or challenges in accessing services. The lower rates of individuals receiving care suggest that there may be gaps in service availability or accessibility, which could be addressed through targeted policy interventions.
The higher reliance on residential care and the significant number of requests related to charging highlight areas where Bromley could focus its resources. Improving access to community-based care and enhancing information about care costs may help meet the needs of residents more effectively. Given the borough's relatively stable population and lower deprivation levels, there may be opportunities to allocate resources towards improving care services and addressing the unmet needs of its residents.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Bromley has been growing slowly. In 2019, about 17.56% of the population were older adults. By 2023, this figure rose to 17.90%. This means that nearly 18 out of every 100 people in Bromley are older individuals. Across the country, the average is slightly higher, at 18.5% in 2023. So, Bromley has a bit fewer older people compared to the national average.
In 2024, there were 4,450 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Bromley. This amounts to about 1,344 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, with about 2,438 requests per 100,000 people. This could mean that older people in Bromley are asking for care less often than in other areas.
Also in 2024, 2,625 older people in Bromley were receiving care services. This is around 793 people per 100,000 population, which is less than the national average of about 1,003 people per 100,000. This suggests that fewer older people in Bromley are getting care services compared to other parts of the country.
When looking at the types of care, 410 older people in Bromley were receiving nursing care. This is about 124 people per 100,000, which is just above the national average of 122 people per 100,000. However, only 440 older people were in residential care, which is about 133 people per 100,000. This is lower than the national average of 250 people per 100,000. Fewer older people in Bromley were receiving community care through direct payments or managed personal budgets compared to national figures.
Bromley has a stable population of about 331,000 people. The area is mostly urban, with only about 1% being rural. The population density is slightly lower than the national average. Bromley is less deprived, with a higher mean deprivation decile of 7.11 compared to the national average of 5.9. This means that people in Bromley generally have better economic conditions.
These factors might explain why fewer older people are requesting and receiving care services in Bromley. With better economic conditions, older people might have more resources to support themselves. They might have access to private care or support from family and friends. The lower proportion of older people in the population might also contribute to the lower numbers.
However, it's important to consider if some older people in Bromley might need help but are not receiving it. The lower rates of care requests and services could mean that some people are not aware of the services available or face barriers in accessing them. It might be useful to look into how information about care services is shared with older people.
For service providers and policymakers, ensuring that older people know about and can access care services is important. Allocating resources to outreach programs and information campaigns could help reach those who need support. Understanding the reasons behind the lower care figures can help improve services for older people in Bromley.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
In 2021, Bromley had 7,687.5 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is lower than the England average of 8,203.68 per 100,000. With a population of about 329,899 people, this means there are approximately 25,368 unpaid carers in Bromley. The lower number of carers might be due to Bromley's slightly younger population or different family structures compared to other areas.
By 2024, 36.8% of carers in Bromley reported that they had as much social contact as they would like. This is higher than the England average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Bromley feel more connected and may have better support networks. Strong community ties or local initiatives may help carers feel less isolated.
The support received by carers in Bromley is generally lower than the national averages. For example, only 3.02 carers per 100,000 received direct payments, compared to 149.93 per 100,000 across England. Similarly, 21.14 per 100,000 received a managed personal budget, while the national figure is 65.81 per 100,000. Carers receiving commissioned support were 12.08 per 100,000 in Bromley, less than the England average of 101.84 per 100,000.
On the other hand, a higher number of carers in Bromley receive no direct support. The rate is 523.91 per 100,000, which is significantly higher than the national average of 129.64 per 100,000. This indicates that many carers in Bromley may not be accessing the services available to them, possibly due to lack of awareness or barriers in accessing support.
Only 45.7% of carers in Bromley feel it is easy to find information about services. This is lower than the England average of 59.3%. Difficulty in finding information may prevent carers from accessing support that could help them. Improving information services could enable more carers to benefit from available resources.
Bromley has some characteristics that may impact these findings. It is less deprived than the England average, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.11 compared to 5.9 nationally. This means Bromley is generally more affluent. The area is also highly urban, with only 1.06% being rural, unlike the national average of 34.6%. Population density is slightly lower than average, with 2,197.7 residents per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5 across England.
The lower levels of support and challenges in accessing information suggest that carers in Bromley may have unmet needs. Even though they report better social contact, the lack of formal support could lead to stress and burnout over time. Service providers might need to focus on improving the visibility and accessibility of support services. This could involve outreach programmes or better online resources to inform carers about available help.
Since Bromley is less deprived, there may be assumptions that carers need less support. However, the data suggests that carers still face difficulties. Tailoring services to meet the specific needs of Bromley's carers could improve their quality of life and the care they provide.
Carers in Bromley benefit from higher levels of social contact but receive less formal support than carers elsewhere in England. Difficulties in finding information about services may contribute to this gap. Addressing these issues could help carers access the support they need, enhancing their well-being and ability to care for others.
✨ ✅ ❌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
In 2024, Bromley has 56 community-based adult social care services and 50 residential social care providers. These numbers are below the national averages of 63.8 and 91 respectively. With a population of around 331,162 in 2023, slightly less than the national mean, Bromley has fewer care providers relative to its population size. This could mean that residents have fewer options for care services compared to other areas.
The proportion of care providers in Bromley that need improvement or are inadequate is 11.215%, which is better than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that, despite having fewer providers, Bromley offers higher-quality care services. The lower levels of deprivation in Bromley, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.11 compared to the national mean of 5.9, might contribute to this higher quality. Less deprivation can lead to better funding and resources for care providers.
Bromley's turnover rate for care staff is 19.0431%, similar to the national average of 19%. The vacancy rate is 8.4921%, slightly above the national mean of 8.4%. However, fewer providers in Bromley find it challenging to retain staff, with 56.0411% reporting difficulties compared to 68.1% nationally. Recruitment challenges are also lower, with 67.979% facing issues versus the national average of 79.8%. Bromley's urban setting, with only 1.0563% rural areas compared to 34.6% nationally, might make it easier to attract and keep staff due to better transport links and amenities.
Bromley's population density is 2,197.7 residents per square kilometre, lower than the national mean of 2,468.5. This lower density, combined with fewer care providers, could mean that services are more spread out, potentially making access harder for some residents. However, the urban nature of Bromley might offset this by providing good infrastructure and transport options.
The combination of high-quality care providers and fewer staffing challenges suggests that Bromley is managing its care services effectively. The lower levels of deprivation may support this by providing a more favourable environment for both providers and staff. However, the lower number of care providers might lead to increased pressure on existing services as they cater to the population's needs.
Bromley demonstrates strengths in the quality of its care providers and in managing staffing challenges better than national averages. The area's lower deprivation and urban setting likely contribute to these positive outcomes. To ensure residents continue to receive high-quality care, it may be beneficial to explore ways to increase the number of care providers, addressing potential gaps in service availability.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Bromley, with a population of approximately 331,000 in 2023, is a predominantly urban area with lower levels of deprivation compared to the national average. Its mean deprivation decile is 7.11, higher than England's average of 5.9, indicating less deprivation. This background sets the stage for understanding the quality of social care services in the area.
In November 2024, Bromley demonstrated strong performance in hospital discharges. A high percentage of 99.9% of discharges came from acceptable trusts, surpassing the national average of 89%. This suggests that Bromley's residents are predominantly receiving care from well-regarded institutions. Additionally, only 9.2% of discharges were delayed, lower than the national figure of 12.3%. The average delay was 0.59 days, shorter than the England average of 0.7 days. These figures indicate efficient coordination between hospitals and community services, minimizing patient stay times and potentially reducing hospital overcrowding.
Access to information about services is crucial for effective care. In 2024, 71.4% of people using services in Bromley felt it was easy to find necessary information, compared to the national average of 68.2%. This points to successful communication strategies and accessibility of resources in Bromley, enabling residents to make informed decisions about their care options.
Despite positive indicators in service efficiency and information accessibility, resident satisfaction with care and support in Bromley was lower than the national average. In 2024, 60.3% of respondents expressed satisfaction, whereas the national satisfaction rate stood at 64.7%. Moreover, a survey by NatCen indicated that 57% of residents were dissatisfied with social care services. This discrepancy suggests underlying issues affecting patient experience that are not captured by efficiency metrics alone.
When examining formal complaints, Bromley had 3.93 ombudsman complaints received and decided per 100,000 people in 2024. These figures are slightly below the national averages of 4.45 for complaints received and 4.12 for those decided. Fewer complaints could indicate fewer severe issues within Bromley's social care services, yet they contrast with the lower satisfaction rates reported.
Bromley's lower deprivation levels and urban setting might contribute to higher expectations among residents regarding social care services. The high population density of 2,197.7 residents per square kilometre, while slightly lower than the national average, may still place significant demand on services. This demand could affect the quality or availability of care, leading to lower satisfaction.
Furthermore, while access to information is above average, it may not fully compensate for other areas where services might be lacking. Staffing levels, funding constraints, or specific local issues could be impacting the quality of care provided, despite efficient service delivery in some areas.
The data suggests that while Bromley excels in certain operational aspects, such as discharge efficiency and information accessibility, there is room for improvement in overall patient satisfaction. Service providers may need to investigate the specific causes of dissatisfaction among residents. Addressing these concerns could involve enhancing care quality, increasing staff support, or tailoring services to better meet the needs of the community.
Policy-makers and local authorities might consider allocating resources towards areas highlighted by residents as needing improvement. Engaging with the community to gather detailed feedback could help in designing targeted interventions aimed at boosting satisfaction levels.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
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The following analysis looks at spending on social care in Bromley for the year 2024. We will compare Bromley's data to the national averages and consider what this means for the area.
In 2024, Bromley's gross total expenditure on social care is £41,968 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of £47,758 per 100,000 people. This means that Bromley spends less on social care per person than many other places in England.
Bromley's net total expenditure is £34,872 per 100,000 people. The national average is £40,472 per 100,000 people. Again, Bromley is spending less per person than the average. Net expenditure is the amount spent after any income, such as client contributions, is taken into account.
Clients in Bromley contribute £7,096 per 100,000 people. The national average is £7,286 per 100,000 people. This shows that clients in Bromley pay slightly less towards their care than in other areas.
NHS contributions in Bromley are £7,035 per 100,000 people. The national average is £7,878 per 100,000 people. This means the NHS is contributing less per person in Bromley than on average.
There are several possible reasons why spending on social care is lower in Bromley. Bromley has a mean deprivation decile of 7.11, which is higher than the national average of 5.9. This suggests that Bromley is less deprived than other areas. A less deprived area may have less need for social care services.
Bromley is also mostly urban, with only 1% of the area being rural. The national average is 34.6% rural. Urban areas may have easier access to services, which could reduce costs. Providing services in rural areas can be more expensive due to distances and fewer people.
The population of Bromley has remained stable over recent years, around 331,000 people. This stability means that demand for services may not have increased significantly. The population density is 2,197.7 people per square kilometre, which is slightly lower than the national average of 2,468.5.
The lower spending per person could mean that Bromley is managing its social care services efficiently. It could also mean that there is less need for social care due to the lower levels of deprivation. However, it is important to ensure that the lower spending is not leading to unmet needs in the community.
The lower client and NHS contributions may indicate that people in Bromley are less reliant on support, or that services are being funded differently. It is important to understand how services are funded to ensure that everyone gets the care they need.
We do not have information on budget cuts for Bromley. Without this data, it is hard to see if spending has changed over time. The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, but they are not making that known. It is important for the government to share information about social care funding so that we can understand the needs and plan services effectively.
Overall, Bromley is spending less on social care per person than the national average. The area's lower levels of deprivation and urban nature may contribute to this. It is important to monitor the effects of this spending to ensure that all residents receive the care they need.
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