This page provides an overview of social care in Cambridgeshire, 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: Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire
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: Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire
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 Cambridgeshire. 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 age-standardised proportion of disabled people in Cambridgeshire is 16.64%, slightly lower than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that Cambridgeshire has a marginally smaller percentage of disabled individuals compared to the rest of England. This difference could be due to various factors, such as the population's age structure or overall health status.
In 2024, there were 5,155 requests for care from working-age adults in Cambridgeshire. This amounts to 736.88 requests per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 1,143.48 per 100,000. The lower rate of requests may indicate that fewer people are seeking assistance, perhaps because their needs are being met in other ways. It could also suggest that some individuals are not accessing the services they require due to lack of awareness or barriers to access.
A total of 2,700 working-age adults received care in 2024, equating to 385.95 per 100,000 people. This is below the national average of 532.68 per 100,000. The lower number of people receiving care might reflect the lower proportion of disabled people in Cambridgeshire. Alternatively, it could mean that informal care networks are stronger, or that there are gaps in service provision that need addressing.
When looking at the types of care services, 55 individuals received nursing care (7.86 per 100,000), and 255 received residential care (36.45 per 100,000). Both rates are below the national averages of 13.75 and 60.61 per 100,000, respectively. Community-based services were more common, with 1,705 people receiving a council-managed personal budget, which is 243.72 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 266.67 per 100,000. This suggests that community care is a significant part of service provision in Cambridgeshire, though still slightly below national levels.
In 2025, there were low numbers of requests for specific types of help. For example, 3 people requested help with assessments, and 12 sought information. The rates per 100,000 for these requests are generally below national averages. This could indicate that residents are less in need of these services, or it might point to a lack of awareness about available support.
Cambridgeshire's population has grown from 668,649 in 2019 to 699,573 in 2023. The region has a lower population density (222.8 residents per square kilometre) than the England average of 2,468.5. This lower density suggests a more rural environment. Additionally, Cambridgeshire has a mean deprivation decile of 6.61, higher than the national mean of 5.9, indicating less deprivation. Lower deprivation levels are often associated with better health outcomes, which might explain the lower rates of disability and care service usage.
The rural nature of Cambridgeshire could also impact service access. While rural areas may have tight-knit communities that provide informal support, they can also face challenges like limited transport and fewer local services. These factors might influence how people access care and support.
The data suggests that Cambridgeshire has lower demand for care services compared to national figures. However, it's important to ensure that this isn't due to unmet needs. Service providers should consider whether awareness campaigns are needed to inform residents about available support. Addressing potential barriers, such as transport in rural areas, could help more people access the services they need.
As the population continues to grow, planning for future service demands is essential. Monitoring changes in population structure and health needs will help in allocating resources effectively. Ensuring that care services are adaptable and accessible will be key to meeting the needs of Cambridgeshire's 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
In recent years, the proportion of older people in Cambridgeshire has been steadily increasing. From 2019 to 2023, the percentage of older residents rose from 18.47% to 18.89%. This shows a gradual growth in the elderly population, which is slightly higher than the national averages during the same period.
In 2019, 18.47% of Cambridgeshire's population were older people, compared to the national average of 18.4%. By 2023, this proportion increased to 18.89%, while the national average was 18.5%. This suggests that Cambridgeshire has a slightly higher percentage of older residents than the rest of the country.
In 2024, there were 17,005 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Cambridgeshire. This equals 2,430.77 requests per 100,000 people. The national average was slightly higher at 2,437.85 requests per 100,000 people. This means that the demand for care services among older people in Cambridgeshire is similar to the national demand.
Also in 2024, 5,605 older people in Cambridgeshire were receiving care services. This is 801.20 people per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of 1,002.86 people per 100,000. This could suggest that fewer older people in the area are accessing care services compared to other parts of the country.
The types of care received by older people include:
Nursing Care: 930 people received nursing care, which is 132.94 per 100,000 people. This is slightly higher than the national average of 121.75 per 100,000.
Residential Care: 1,495 people were in residential care, equal to 213.70 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 249.93 per 100,000.
Community Care with Direct Payment Only: 175 people received community care with direct payments, which is 25.02 per 100,000 people. This is less than the national average of 55.44 per 100,000.
Community Care with Part Direct Payment: 70 people received this type of care, equal to 10.01 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 22.13 per 100,000.
Community Care with Council-Managed Personal Budget: 2,900 people received care through a council-managed personal budget, which is 414.54 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 507.92 per 100,000.
Community Care with Council-Commissioned Support Only: 35 people received this care, equal to 5.00 per 100,000 people. This is much lower than the national average of 137.20 per 100,000.
In 2025, older residents requested help in areas such as assessments, care plans, carers' support, charging, information seeking, legal issues, mental capacity, and safeguarding. The number of requests per 100,000 people was generally lower than national averages, indicating possible differences in service awareness or availability.
Cambridgeshire's population grew from 668,649 in 2019 to 699,573 in 2023. The population density is 222.8 people per square kilometre, which is much lower than the England average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. This suggests that Cambridgeshire is more rural, which can affect access to services.
The area has a higher mean deprivation decile (6.61) compared to the national average (5.9), indicating lower levels of deprivation. This might influence the demand for publicly funded care services, as more people might afford private care.
The increasing proportion of older people means that demand for care services may rise in the future. The lower number of people receiving care services could suggest unmet needs or a reliance on informal care from family and friends. The rural nature of Cambridgeshire might make it harder for some residents to access services, so care providers may need to consider new ways to reach people in remote areas.
Understanding these trends can help policymakers and service providers plan for the future. By considering the growing older population and the specific needs of rural areas, they can work to ensure that all older people in Cambridgeshire have access to the care and support 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, Cambridgeshire had 7,673 unpaid carers for every 100,000 people. This is fewer than the national average of 8,204 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This could mean that fewer people in Cambridgeshire are providing unpaid care compared to other areas. It might be because of the population structure or the availability of services.
In 2024, 34% of carers in Cambridgeshire said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is higher than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Cambridgeshire feel less isolated and may have better support networks.
Various types of support were provided to carers in 2024. For direct payments, Cambridgeshire had 1.43 carers per 100,000 people receiving this support, which is much lower than the national average of 149.93 per 100,000 people. This means that fewer carers in Cambridgeshire are getting direct payments.
For information, advice, and signposting services, Cambridgeshire had 397.39 carers per 100,000 people using these services. This is higher than the national average of 338.7 per 100,000 people. This shows that more carers in Cambridgeshire are accessing information and advice.
Cambridgeshire had 43.6 carers per 100,000 people with no direct support, lower than the national average of 129.64 per 100,000 people. This could indicate that more carers in Cambridgeshire are receiving some form of support compared to other areas.
For respite care and other support involving the cared-for person, Cambridgeshire had 71.47 carers per 100,000 people receiving this support, similar to the national average of 70.01 per 100,000 people.
In 2024, 57.5% of carers in Cambridgeshire felt it was easy to find information about services. This is slightly lower than the national average of 59.3%. This suggests that some carers in Cambridgeshire may find it harder to access information compared to carers elsewhere.
Cambridgeshire's population grew from 668,649 in 2019 to 699,573 in 2023. This is much larger than the England average, which was around 370,000 in the same years. The population density in Cambridgeshire was 222.8 people per square kilometre in 2021, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. This means Cambridgeshire is less crowded and has more rural areas.
The deprivation decile in Cambridgeshire was mostly higher than the national average. Deprivation deciles range from 1 (most deprived) to 10 (least deprived). Values in Cambridgeshire ranged from 4.15 to 8.43, while the England average was 5.9. This suggests that Cambridgeshire is generally less deprived than other areas.
The lower number of unpaid carers in Cambridgeshire might mean there is less demand for certain carer services. However, the higher percentage of carers who have enough social contact suggests that support networks are effective. The high use of information and advice services may help carers feel supported.
The lower rate of carers receiving direct payments indicates that this type of support is less common in Cambridgeshire. Increasing access to direct payments could help carers have more choice and control over their support.
The slightly lower ease of finding information suggests that there is room to improve how carers access services. Efforts could focus on making information more available and easy to understand.
Because Cambridgeshire has many rural areas, delivering services can be more challenging. Distance and transport may affect how carers access support. Planning services with these challenges in mind can help reach more carers.
Overall, carers in Cambridgeshire seem to be well supported in some areas, like social contact and access to advice. There are opportunities to improve support by increasing direct payments and making information more accessible.
✨ ✅ ❌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 2024, Cambridgeshire hosts 107 community-based adult social care services and 123 residential social care providers. While these raw numbers exceed the national averages of 63.8 and 91 providers respectively, the per capita figures tell a different story. With a population of approximately 699,573 in 2023, Cambridgeshire has about 15.3 community-based services and 17.6 residential care providers per 100,000 people. This is slightly below the national rates of 16.9 and 24.1 per 100,000, indicating fewer care providers relative to the population size.
The quality of care in Cambridgeshire appears strong, with only 10% of care providers rated as needing improvement or inadequate. This is significantly better than the national average of 16.8%, suggesting that residents have access to higher-quality care services. This positive outcome may reflect effective management practices and a commitment to high standards within the county's care sector.
Despite the high quality of care, Cambridgeshire faces challenges in staffing its care services. The turnover rate stands at 23.9%, marginally below the regional average of 23.9%, and the vacancy rate is 8.1%, slightly under the national average of 8.4%. However, a notable 70.9% of providers report difficulties in retaining staff, surpassing the regional average of 68.1%. Furthermore, 82.9% highlight challenges in recruiting staff, higher than the regional figure of 79.8%. These statistics suggest that while staffing levels are maintained, there is underlying pressure that could affect future service provision.
Cambridgeshire's population has been on a consistent upward trend, increasing from 668,649 in 2019 to 699,573 in 2023. Despite this growth, the county remains less densely populated, with 222.8 residents per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5. Additionally, a significant portion of the county is rural, with areas reporting up to 100% rural residency against a national average of 34.6%. This rural landscape can present logistical challenges for care providers, including longer travel times for staff and difficulties in accessing remote clients.
The county's mean deprivation decile is 6.61, higher than the national mean of 5.9, indicating lower levels of deprivation. This suggests that economic factors may be less of a barrier to accessing care services compared to more deprived areas. However, the standard deviation in deprivation deciles is similar to the national average, pointing to pockets of higher deprivation within the county that may require targeted support.
The combination of a growing population and fewer care providers per capita suggests potential strain on existing services in Cambridgeshire. The challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in a predominantly rural setting, may exacerbate this strain. Care workers might face longer distances between clients, leading to increased travel times and costs. These factors could deter potential employees, thus intensifying recruitment difficulties.
Addressing these challenges is crucial to maintain the high quality of care provision in Cambridgeshire. Possible strategies include offering incentives for care workers in rural areas, investing in transportation solutions, and implementing robust recruitment campaigns. Policymakers should consider these approaches to ensure that care services keep pace with the growing and dispersed population, securing effective support for all residents.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Cambridgeshire is a county with a growing population, reaching 699,573 people in 2023. This growth can make it challenging for local services to meet everyone's needs. The county is less crowded than the England average, with about 223 people per square kilometre compared to 2,469. Being more rural means some people might find it harder to access services.
In November 2024, 93.1% of patients in Cambridgeshire were discharged from hospitals that meet acceptable standards. This is better than the national average of 89%. However, 16.5% of these discharges were delayed, which is higher than the national rate of 12.3%. On average, delays lasted 0.9 days, compared to 0.7 days nationally. These delays might be due to not enough staff, limited resources, or coordination problems. Delayed discharges can affect patient recovery and satisfaction.
In 2024, 64% of people in Cambridgeshire said they were happy with their care and support. The national average is slightly higher at 64.7%. Another survey showed that 57% of people were unhappy with social care, but we don't have a national figure for this. These numbers suggest there's room for improvement in how care is provided.
About 65.7% of people using services in Cambridgeshire felt it was easy to find information about services. This is below the national average of 68.2%. When people can't find information easily, they might not get the help they need. Making information clearer and more accessible could improve their experience.
In 2024, there were 3.29 complaints per 100,000 people made to the ombudsman in Cambridgeshire. This is lower than the national averages of 4.45 complaints received and 4.12 complaints decided. This might mean fewer people are unhappy enough to complain formally. Alternatively, people might not know how to make a complaint.
Cambridgeshire has strengths, like a high rate of discharges from acceptable hospitals. However, challenges like higher delayed discharges and slightly lower satisfaction levels show that improvements can be made. Issues like staff shortages or increased demand might be contributing factors. By addressing delays and making information easier to find, services can become better for residents. Focusing on these areas can help ensure quality care for everyone in the county.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
✨ ✅ ❌?
Social care spending in Cambridgeshire is important for supporting people who need help. This analysis looks at how much Cambridgeshire spent on social care in 2024 and compares it to national averages. It also considers factors that might affect this spending.
In 2024, Cambridgeshire's gross total expenditure on social care was £42,420.16 per 100,000 people. The national average was £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. The net total expenditure, after income from clients and the NHS, was £36,074.72 per 100,000 people. This is also lower than the national average of £40,471.81 per 100,000 people.
The lower spending might mean that Cambridgeshire is providing services more efficiently. It could also suggest that fewer people are using social care services, or that some needs are not being met due to limited funding.
Clients in Cambridgeshire contributed £6,345.44 per 100,000 people, which is less than the national average of £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. NHS contributions were £6,073.99 per 100,000 people, also below the national average of £7,878.45 per 100,000 people.
The lower client contributions may be because people have less ability to pay, or perhaps more support is provided without charge. The lower NHS contributions might show less partnership between the NHS and social care in Cambridgeshire, or it could indicate less funding from the NHS.
Cambridgeshire’s population grew from 668,649 in 2019 to 699,573 in 2023. This is higher than the England average population. However, the population density is 222.8 people per square kilometre, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre.
The low population density means people are spread out. This can make it harder and more costly to provide social care services, as workers have to travel further. The lower spending might mean these challenges are not fully addressed.
In 2019, Cambridgeshire had a mean deprivation decile ranging from 4.15 to 8.43. The England average is 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. This suggests that Cambridgeshire is less deprived than many other areas.
Lower deprivation might mean that fewer people need social care services, or that they can afford to pay for their own care. This could be a reason for the lower spending and contributions.
A large part of Cambridgeshire is rural, with up to nearly 100% rural areas compared to the England average of 34.6%. High rurality can make service delivery more difficult, as people live far apart.
This might affect spending, as it can be more expensive to reach and support people in rural areas. If spending is lower, some rural residents might not be receiving the care they need.
The lower spending on social care in Cambridgeshire suggests that some needs might not be fully met, especially in rural areas. With a growing population, demand for social care might increase in the future.
Policymakers should consider if current funding is enough to support all residents who need help. Improving partnerships with the NHS could bring in more funding and improve services.
In conclusion, while Cambridgeshire is less deprived and spends less per person on social care, it is important to ensure that everyone who needs support can access it. Addressing the challenges of rurality and population growth will be key to meeting future needs.
✨ ✅ ❌