This page provides an overview of social care in Buckinghamshire, 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.
NULLDeprivation 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.
NULLDeprivation 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 Buckinghamshire. 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 Buckinghamshire, 13.6% of people have a disability. This is lower than the national average of 17.6%. This means fewer people in Buckinghamshire are disabled compared to other parts of the country.
In 2024, there were 2,880 requests for care from people of working age. This is about 508 people per 100,000. The national average is much higher, at 1,143 people per 100,000. This suggests that fewer people in Buckinghamshire are asking for care services.
Also in 2024, 2,370 people aged 18 to 64 received care in Buckinghamshire. This is around 418 people per 100,000, while the national average is 532 people per 100,000. This means fewer people are getting care services in Buckinghamshire than in other areas.
The types of care people received included nursing, residential, and community support. For example, 65 people received nursing care, and 335 people were in residential care. Most people, 1,015 in total, received community support with a managed personal budget. In some types of care, Buckinghamshire has lower numbers than the national average.
In 2025, a small number of people asked for help with different issues. For example, 11 people asked for help with assessments, and 73 people needed help with charging. These numbers are close to the national averages.
The population of Buckinghamshire has been growing. In 2019, there were 545,859 people, and by 2023, this increased to 566,694. This means more people might need services in the future.
Buckinghamshire is less crowded than other places. There are 353 people per square kilometre, while the national average is 2,468 people per square kilometre. This lower density might affect how services are provided, as people live further apart.
The lower numbers of disabled people and care requests could mean several things. It might be that the population is healthier, or there are fewer older people who need care. It could also mean that some people are not asking for the help they need.
Because fewer people are asking for and receiving care, services might need to look at why this is. They might need to check if people know about the services, or if they find it hard to get help. Planning for the future is important, especially as the population grows.
Overall, Buckinghamshire has fewer disabled people and lower demand for care services compared to the national average. Service providers might use this information to make sure everyone who needs help can get it.
✨ ✅ ❌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
From 2019 to 2023, the proportion of older people in Buckinghamshire has steadily increased. In 2019, it was 18.65%, and by 2023, it reached 19.06%. This is slightly higher than the national average, which was 18.4% in 2019 and 18.5% in 2023. This means that Buckinghamshire has a growing number of older residents compared to the rest of the country.
In 2024, there were 8,735 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Buckinghamshire. This is 1,541 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, with 2,437 requests per 100,000 people. Even though Buckinghamshire has more older people, fewer of them are asking for care compared to other areas.
Also in 2024, 3,800 people aged 65 and over were receiving care in Buckinghamshire. This is 671 people per 100,000, while the national average is 1,003 people per 100,000. This shows that fewer older people in Buckinghamshire are receiving care services compared to the national average.
The types of care that older people receive in Buckinghamshire vary. For nursing care, 690 people were receiving it, which is about the same as the national average when adjusted for population size. However, for residential care, there were 830 people receiving it, which is lower than the national average. For community care with direct payments, Buckinghamshire had higher rates than the national average. This means more older people are choosing to receive care at home with direct payments.
Between 2019 and 2023, the population of Buckinghamshire increased from 545,859 to 566,694. The county has a population density of 353 people per square kilometre, which is much lower than the national average of 2,469 people. This means that Buckinghamshire is less crowded than other parts of the country.
Although Buckinghamshire has more older people, fewer are requesting or receiving care services compared to the national average. This could mean that older people in Buckinghamshire are healthier, have better family support, or that there are barriers to accessing care services. The lower population density might make it harder for some people to reach care facilities. It is important to ensure that all older people have access to the care they need.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
In 2021, Buckinghamshire had 7,524 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is slightly lower than the national average of 8,204 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. With a population of about 555,161 that year, there were approximately 41,784 unpaid carers in the county. The lower proportion may suggest that Buckinghamshire has a younger population or different family support structures compared to the rest of England.
In 2024, only 20.9% of carers in Buckinghamshire reported having as much social contact as they would like. This is below the national average of 29.3%. This indicates that many carers in the county may feel socially isolated. Factors such as rural living, limited social services, or time constraints due to caring duties might contribute to this sense of isolation.
Also in 2024, 56% of carers in Buckinghamshire felt it was easy to find information about services. This is slightly less than the national average of 59.3%. This suggests that carers may face challenges in accessing information that could support them. Improving the availability and clarity of information could help carers feel more supported in their roles.
The number of carers receiving direct support in Buckinghamshire is lower than the national average in several areas. For direct payments, only about 31 carers per 100,000 people received this support, compared to 150 per 100,000 nationally. For information and advice services, 89 carers per 100,000 received support, while the national rate is 339 per 100,000. Fewer carers received no direct support in Buckinghamshire (12 per 100,000) compared to the national figure (130 per 100,000), which might indicate that more carers are receiving some form of help, albeit less than elsewhere.
Buckinghamshire's population has been growing, reaching 566,694 in 2023. The county has a lower population density of 353 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,469 people per square kilometre. This lower density suggests that Buckinghamshire is more rural. Rural areas often have fewer services spread over larger areas, which can make accessing support more difficult for carers.
The data implies that carers in Buckinghamshire may not be receiving the same level of support as carers in other parts of England. The lower rates of direct support and feelings of social isolation highlight areas where services could be improved. Enhancing support networks, improving access to information, and fostering community connections could benefit carers in the county. Policymakers might consider allocating more resources to address these gaps and ensure carers receive adequate support.
✨ ✅ ❌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 recent years, Buckinghamshire has seen changes in its care provider landscape. This analysis looks at the current state of care providers in the area, focusing on the number and quality of services, staffing challenges, and how these relate to population trends.
As of 2024, Buckinghamshire hosts 77 community-based adult social care services and 117 residential social care providers. These numbers are higher than the national averages of 63.8 and 91 respectively. This suggests that the county offers a wider range of care options, particularly residential services. The increased provision might be responding to a growing demand for care facilities, possibly due to an ageing population or specific local needs.
There are concerns about the quality of care providers in Buckinghamshire. In 2024, 26.5% of care providers were rated as needing improvement or inadequate, compared to a national average of 16.8%. This means that over a quarter of providers are not meeting expected standards. Factors contributing to this may include staffing shortages, resource limitations, or training gaps. Improving the quality of care is essential to ensure that residents receive safe and effective services.
Staffing is a significant issue for care providers in Buckinghamshire. The vacancy rate is 9.4%, higher than the regional average of 8.4%. While the turnover rate is similar to the regional figure at 26.7%, many providers report difficulties with staffing. Specifically, 82.9% find recruiting staff more challenging, and 72.4% find retaining staff more challenging, both higher than regional averages. These challenges could stem from competition for skilled workers, cost of living factors, or job satisfaction issues. Staff shortages may lead to increased workloads and stress for current employees, affecting the quality of care provided.
Buckinghamshire's population has been steadily increasing, from 545,859 in 2019 to 566,694 in 2023. Although the county has a lower population density (353.4 residents per square kilometre) than the national average (2,468.5 residents per square kilometre), the growing population adds pressure to care services. As more people reside in the area, the demand for care, especially for the elderly or those with specific needs, is likely to rise. This trend underscores the importance of planning and resource allocation to meet future demands.
The higher proportion of care providers needing improvement and the significant staffing challenges suggest a need for focused action. Enhancing recruitment and retention strategies could help reduce vacancies and improve staff stability. Offering competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and supportive work environments may attract and retain skilled workers. Investing in staff training can improve service quality, helping providers meet required standards.
With the population increasing, it's crucial to ensure that care services can accommodate future needs. This may involve expanding facilities, increasing funding, and implementing policies that support both providers and service users. Addressing these issues is vital for the well-being of Buckinghamshire's residents and the sustainability of its care services.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
This report examines key indicators of social care services in Buckinghamshire, focusing on areas such as hospital discharges, satisfaction with care, and access to information. By comparing local data with national averages, we gain insights into the quality of services and identify areas for improvement.
In November 2024, Buckinghamshire achieved 98.33% of discharges from acceptable trusts, surpassing the national average of 89%. This high percentage suggests effective coordination between hospitals and community services, ensuring patients are discharged to appropriate settings. However, 10.90% of discharges were delayed, slightly below the national average of 12.3%. While better than average, delayed discharges may indicate challenges in care planning or availability of support services post-discharge.
The average delay per discharge was 0.80 days in Buckinghamshire, compared to the national average of 0.7 days. Although only slightly higher, this may reflect resource constraints or logistical issues that could be addressed to improve patient flow.
In 2024, 63.7% of respondents in Buckinghamshire reported satisfaction with their care and support, just below the national average of 64.7%. This indicates that while most service users are content, there is room for enhancement in meeting residents' needs. Contrastingly, another source showed that 57% expressed dissatisfaction with social care, highlighting potential discrepancies in perceptions and the importance of investigating underlying causes.
Only 61.6% of people using services in Buckinghamshire felt it was easy to find information about services in 2024, lower than the national average of 68.2%. This suggests that many residents struggle to access essential information, which could hinder their ability to obtain timely care. Improving communication channels and providing clear, accessible information could enhance user experience and service uptake.
Buckinghamshire received 4.76 ombudsman cases per 100,000 people in 2024, slightly above the national average of 4.45. The number of cases decided was 4.06 per 100,000, close to the national figure of 4.12. A higher rate of complaints may point to issues in service delivery or unmet expectations. Addressing these complaints proactively can help build trust and improve overall service quality.
The population of Buckinghamshire has grown steadily from 545,859 in 2019 to 566,694 in 2023, exceeding the national average population size of 377,060.9 in 2023. Despite this growth, the county has a lower population density, with 353.4 residents per square kilometre in 2021 compared to England's average of 2,468.5. A growing but dispersed population can pose challenges in delivering services efficiently, potentially contributing to delays and difficulties in accessing information.
The data indicates that Buckinghamshire performs well in discharging patients from acceptable trusts but faces challenges with delayed discharges and slightly lower satisfaction levels. The difficulty residents have in finding information about services suggests a need to improve outreach and communication strategies. The slight increase in ombudsman cases per capita may reflect underlying concerns that require attention.
The expanding population and lower density might strain existing resources and complicate service delivery, especially in rural areas. Investing in infrastructure, increasing staffing levels, and leveraging technology could help mitigate these challenges. Enhancing care coordination and facilitating easier access to information may improve satisfaction and reduce delays.
Buckinghamshire shows strengths in certain aspects of social care but has opportunities for improvement. By focusing on reducing delays, enhancing communication, and addressing residents' concerns, the county can work towards delivering higher-quality services. Planning for population growth and its impact on demand will be crucial in maintaining and improving care standards in the future.
✨ ✅ ❌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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In 2024, Buckinghamshire's spending on social care shows differences compared to the national averages in England. This analysis explores these differences and considers possible reasons and effects.
Buckinghamshire's gross total expenditure on social care is £40,470.71 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of £47,758.16 per 100,000. The net total expenditure is £35,519.36 per 100,000, also below the England average of £40,471.81 per 100,000. This means that Buckinghamshire spends less on social care per person than many other areas.
Contributions from clients in Buckinghamshire are £4,951.35 per 100,000 people, less than the national average of £7,286.35. NHS contributions are £2,984.85 per 100,000, significantly lower than the England average of £7,878.45. Lower contributions from clients and the NHS may reduce the total funds available for social care services.
The population of Buckinghamshire has grown from 545,859 in 2019 to 566,694 in 2023. This is larger than the average population of local authorities in England, which was 377,060.9 in 2023. Despite having more people, Buckinghamshire has a lower population density of 353.4 residents per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5 in 2021. This lower density means services may need to cover larger areas, which can affect the cost and delivery of social care.
The lower spending on social care per person in Buckinghamshire might suggest that services are delivered efficiently. However, it could also mean that there is unmet need or pressure on services due to less funding. The lower contributions from clients and the NHS suggest that additional support for social care is less than in other areas. This may impact the quality or availability of care services.
As the population continues to grow, the demand for social care services is likely to increase. The challenges of providing services in a less densely populated area may require careful planning. Policymakers and service providers might need to consider how to allocate resources effectively to meet the needs of the community. Exploring ways to increase funding or improve service delivery could help address potential gaps in care.
Buckinghamshire spends less on social care per person than the national average and receives lower contributions from clients and the NHS. With a growing population and lower population density, there may be challenges in meeting the demand for social care services. It is important to assess whether current funding levels are adequate and to consider strategies to enhance service provision for the residents of Buckinghamshire.
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