This page provides an overview of social care in Camden, 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 Camden. 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 Camden, the proportion of people with disabilities is 17.7%, slightly above the national average of 17.6%. This indicates that Camden has a similar level of disability prevalence compared to the rest of the country.
In 2024, there were 1,215 requests for care from working-age adults in Camden. This amounts to 550 requests per 100,000 people, which is less than half the national average of 1,143 per 100,000. This lower rate may suggest that fewer individuals are seeking assistance, possibly due to a younger population or barriers in accessing services. It could also reflect underreporting or a lack of awareness about available support.
Despite fewer requests, Camden has a higher rate of working-age adults receiving care. In 2024, 1,405 individuals aged 18 to 64 received services, equating to 636 per 100,000 people. The national average is 533 per 100,000. This suggests that those in need in Camden are effectively accessing support, or that local services are proactive in identifying and assisting residents who require care.
The breakdown of care types shows that Camden places a strong emphasis on community-based support. For instance, 364 per 100,000 people received community care managed through a personal budget, compared to the national average of 267 per 100,000. Direct payment-only support was provided to 138 per 100,000 people, exceeding the national figure of 122 per 100,000. This focus on personalised care options may enhance independence and satisfaction among service users.
In contrast, Camden has lower rates of residential and nursing care placements. Only 45 per 100,000 people are in nursing care, below the national average of 61 per 100,000. This could reflect a strategic choice to support people in their own homes and communities, reducing reliance on institutional care.
Data from 2025 indicates that requests for help with charging were the highest, with 11 individuals seeking assistance (5 per 100,000), close to the national average of 6 per 100,000. Other areas, such as assessments and care plans, saw fewer requests than national averages. This might suggest that residents have fewer difficulties with these aspects, or it could point to potential gaps in awareness or accessibility of services.
Camden's population has been increasing, reaching 220,903 in 2023. The borough is entirely urban with a high population density of 9,641 residents per square kilometre, far exceeding the national average. The mean deprivation decile is 5.41, slightly below the national mean of 5.9, indicating moderate levels of deprivation with some areas possibly experiencing higher need.
These factors may influence care needs and service provision. High density could facilitate easier access to services, potentially explaining the higher rates of care provision. However, the lower rate of care requests might indicate that some residents do not seek help due to factors like social isolation or lack of information.
The preference for community-based care in Camden appears effective, supporting many working-age adults in ways that promote independence. Continuing to invest in personalised and community-oriented services could enhance outcomes for residents. Addressing the lower rate of care requests may require outreach efforts to ensure that those who need support are aware of and can access available services. Considering the growing population and urban environment, adapting services to meet diverse and evolving needs will be important for future planning.
✨ ✅ ❌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 residents aged 65 and over in Camden stayed around 11.7%. This is lower than the national average, which was about 18.5% during the same period. The lower percentage in Camden suggests that the borough has a younger population compared to the rest of England.
Camden is a densely populated urban area with no rural regions. In 2021, it had 9,640.9 residents per square kilometre, which is much higher than the England average of 2,468.5. The total population in Camden grew from 217,136 in 2019 to 220,903 in 2023. The high density and urban setting might attract younger people, contributing to the lower proportion of older residents.
In 2024, there were 2,815 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Camden. This amounts to 1,274 requests per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 2,438 per 100,000. The lower number of requests could be due to the smaller proportion of older people in Camden. It might also suggest that older residents have better support networks or less unmet need.
A total of 2,015 older people were receiving care services in Camden in 2024. This is 912 people per 100,000 population, slightly below the national average of 1,003 per 100,000. The lower rate might reflect the younger population or differences in how services are provided.
Among those receiving care, 290 were in nursing homes, and 350 were in residential care. A larger number, 1,380 people, received community-based services. These services included direct payments, personal budgets managed by the council, and commissioned support. About 245 people received direct payments to arrange their own care. The focus on community care suggests that Camden supports older people to live independently at home.
Compared to national figures, Camden had more people receiving community direct payments (88 per 100,000 in Camden vs. 55 per 100,000 nationally) but fewer in nursing and residential care. This indicates a preference for supporting older people in the community rather than in care homes.
Camden's mean deprivation decile in 2019 was 5.41, slightly lower than the national average of 5.9. This means Camden has moderate levels of deprivation. The standard deviation of 2.52 suggests varied levels of deprivation across the borough. Deprivation can affect health and the need for care services. However, the lower number of care requests might mean that older people in Camden have access to better resources or support systems.
The data shows that Camden has a younger population, with fewer older residents needing care compared to national averages. The emphasis on community-based care aligns with current best practices, supporting independence and quality of life for older people. Service planners should continue to invest in community services and consider the unique urban environment of Camden when allocating resources.
✨ ✅ ❌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, Camden had 6,924 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 8,204 per 100,000. This could mean that fewer people in Camden take on unpaid caring roles compared to other areas. One reason might be that Camden has a younger population. Younger people are less likely to be carers, so the age structure could affect these numbers. Also, Camden's high population density, with 9,641 residents per square kilometre, might influence family arrangements, leading to fewer unpaid carers.
Only 23% of carers in Camden reported in 2024 that they had as much social contact as they would like. This is less than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Camden may feel more socially isolated. Living in a busy urban area does not always mean people have close social connections. Carers might find it hard to make time for social activities due to their responsibilities.
When it comes to finding information about services, 52.8% of carers in Camden felt it was easy to do so in 2024. This is below the national average of 59.3%. This means many carers in Camden struggle to access information about the help available to them. Improving the way information is shared could help carers feel more supported.
Looking at the types of support provided, Camden had 301 direct payments per 100,000 people in 2024. This is more than the national average of 149.93 per 100,000. Direct payments give carers control over how they use funds for support. However, Camden provided information, advice, or signposting services to 118 carers per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of 338.7. Also, 222 carers per 100,000 in Camden received no direct support, higher than the national average of 129.64. This shows that while some carers get financial help, others may miss out on other forms of support.
Camden had 27 carers per 100,000 receiving respite care or support involving the cared-for person, less than the national average of 70.01. Respite care is important as it gives carers a break. The lower rate suggests that carers in Camden may not get enough relief from their duties, which could add to feelings of isolation and stress.
Camden's mean deprivation decile was 5.41 in 2019, slightly lower than the national average of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This could impact carers, as financial pressures might make it harder to access services or join social activities. Camden being entirely urban, with 0% rural areas, might also influence the availability and type of support services.
In summary, carers in Camden face challenges with social contact and accessing information about services. Although there is a higher provision of direct payments, many carers receive no direct support, and fewer receive information or respite care. Service providers in Camden might need to focus on improving access to a wider range of support. Policies could aim to reduce social isolation by creating more opportunities for carers to connect with others and ensuring they know about the services available to them.
✨ ✅ ❌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, Camden had 36 community-based adult social care services and 10 residential social care providers. These numbers are lower than the national averages of 63.8 and 91 respectively. Considering Camden's population of 220,903 in 2023, which is below the national average of 377,060.9, the number of care providers may seem proportionate. However, Camden's high population density of 9,640.9 residents per square kilometre (compared to the England average of 2,468.5) suggests that demand for care services could be greater due to closer living conditions and urban challenges.
The proportion of care providers in Camden needing improvement or rated as inadequate was 23.9% in 2024, higher than the national average of 16.8%. This indicates that nearly a quarter of care providers in the area are not meeting the required standards, which could impact the quality of care residents receive. Improving these services is essential to meet the community's needs effectively.
Staffing issues may contribute to these challenges. In 2023/24, Camden had a vacancy rate of 15.6%, almost double the national average of 8.4%. High vacancy rates can lead to increased workloads for existing staff, potentially affecting service quality. The turnover rate was 19%, aligning with the regional average. Although the turnover is similar to other areas, constant changes in staff can disrupt continuity of care.
Recruiting and retaining staff has been a significant challenge. In 2024, 68% of care providers in Camden found recruiting staff more challenging or much more challenging, slightly better than the regional average of 79.8%. Additionally, 56% reported that retaining staff was more challenging, compared to the regional average of 68.1%. These staffing difficulties may strain services and hinder efforts to improve care quality.
Camden's mean deprivation decile was 5.41 in 2019, slightly below the national average of 5.9. This suggests moderate levels of deprivation. Areas with higher deprivation often have greater health and social care needs. With a standard deviation of 2.52 in deprivation deciles (higher than the national average of 2.3), there may be pockets of significant deprivation within Camden, increasing demand for care services.
The entirely urban setting of Camden, with 0% rural areas compared to the England average of 34.6%, may affect the types of services needed. Urban areas can face unique challenges, such as higher living costs and more diverse populations, which can influence the demand for and delivery of care services.
In summary, Camden faces several challenges in its care provider sector. The lower number of care providers, combined with high population density and staffing difficulties, may lead to unmet care needs. The higher proportion of providers needing improvement highlights the need for quality enhancements. Addressing recruitment and retention issues is crucial to stabilise the workforce and improve service delivery. Policymakers and service providers should consider these factors to allocate resources effectively and ensure that residents receive the care they need.
✨ ✅ ❌Historically, hospital delays have been due in large part, to the inability to discharge patients into social care. We no longer have DTOC data, but we can still look at the number of hospital delays and the number of facilities requiring improvement.
CQC, as the regulator of health and social care services in England, is beginning to rate Local Authorities on their social care provision. Understanding the CQC rating of a local authority should be used as the most official evaluation of service care provision. For example, a low rating may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high rating may suggest that existing services are effective.
Hospital delays can have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes, and are in large part the result of not having invested sufficiently in social care. Understanding the number of hospital delays in a local authority can be a sympthom of a poorly working social care sector. For example, a high number of hospital delays may indicate a need for improved discharge planning and coordination, not enough places to discharge people to, lack of sufficient staff to assess patients, or a lack of care providers.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
This metric illustrates how long patients are delayed in hospital before being discharged. Higher average delays mean that patients are spending more time in hospital than necessary, which can lead to increased costs, reduced bed availability, and poorer patient outcomes. This also means that the beds are not available for people that might desperately need them for life-saving procedures.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) refers to the time between a patient being declared medically fit for discharge and actually leaving the hospital. Understanding the number of DTOCs in a local authority can help identify precisely where the social care system is failing.
Unfortunately, this dataset is no longer being generated.
Reablement is a short-term service that helps people regain independence and confidence after a period of illness or injury. Understanding the number of people receiving reablement services can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving reablement services may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a low number of people receiving reablement services may suggest that existing services are effective.
Coming soon!
Service user satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of social care services. Understanding service user satisfaction can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of service user satisfaction may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high level of service user satisfaction may suggest that existing services are effective.
It is important to note that the people surveyed are already receiving service care. Notably absent are all the people that are not yet lucky enough to be receiving care.
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 1
Access to information is crucial for people using social care services to navigate the system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for people to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of people finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 13
An ombudsman is a person who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and organisations. The number of cases received and decided by the Ombudsman is important because it provides insight into the volume of complaints about a local authority’s social care services and how effectively these complaints are being addressed. The number of cases received indicates the level of dissatisfaction or systemic issues within a council’s care provision, while the number of cases decided shows how efficiently the Ombudsman is processing and resolving complaints. A large gap between the two may suggest delays in complaint handling, leaving individuals waiting.
It is important to note that contacting the Ombudsman is widely considered a last resort, often discouraged, and sometimes penalised.
Camden, a densely populated borough in London, has a population of over 220,000 people in 2023. With 9,640.9 residents per square kilometre, compared to the England average of 2,468.5, Camden is an entirely urban area. This high density can impact how social care services are delivered and accessed.
In November 2024, 99.25% of discharges from acceptable trusts in Camden were timely, exceeding the national average of 89%. This suggests that Camden's hospitals and care providers are effective in coordinating patient discharges. Efficient discharge processes can free up hospital beds and reduce waiting times for other patients.
However, 11.98% of discharges were delayed, slightly below the national average of 12.3%. While better than average, this indicates that about one in ten patients experienced delays. High demand for services or limited availability of community care might contribute to these delays. Addressing these bottlenecks could improve patient flow and satisfaction.
The average delay for discharges in Camden was 0.47 days, shorter than the national average of 0.7 days. This reflects the borough's efficiency in managing patient transitions from hospital to home or care facilities. Quick discharges can benefit patient recovery and reduce healthcare costs.
In 2024, 58.7% of respondents in Camden were satisfied with their care and support, below the national average of 64.7%. Another source reported a satisfaction rate of 57%. This suggests that nearly half of the service users are not fully satisfied. Factors such as staffing shortages, funding constraints, or high demand might affect the quality of care provided.
About 69% of people using services in Camden found it easy to get information about them, slightly above the national average of 68.2%. This indicates that efforts to inform residents are largely successful. Enhancing online resources and community outreach could further improve access to information.
In 2024, Camden had 5.88 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people and 6.34 complaints decided per 100,000 people. These rates are higher than the national averages of 4.45 and 4.12, respectively. The higher number of complaints may reflect greater awareness among residents or could point to issues in service delivery. Investigating the reasons behind complaints can help identify areas needing improvement.
Camden's high population density and entirely urban environment can place extra strain on social care services. The borough's mean deprivation decile is 5.41, slightly below the England mean of 5.9, indicating moderate levels of deprivation. This can affect demand for services and residents' ability to access them.
The lower satisfaction rates suggest that residents may feel their needs are not fully met. Addressing factors like staffing levels and resource allocation could improve the quality of care. The higher rate of complaints highlights the importance of monitoring service standards and responding to concerns promptly.
Overall, Camden performs well in timely discharges and access to information. Focusing on improving user satisfaction and reducing complaints can enhance the effectiveness of social care services. Understanding the unique challenges of a densely populated urban area is key to delivering responsive and high-quality care to Camden's residents.
✨ ✅ ❌We need to understand how much money is being spent on social care, and what this provides. First, let’s look at values reported by local authorities.
Gross Current Expenditure (2023-24) captures the total operational cost of services, indicating overall demand and financial commitment. This includes spending on residential and non-residential care, direct payments, and other social care services. Understanding gross expenditure helps assess the scale of social care provision and financial pressures on local authorities.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
This figure reflects the net cost of social care provision to the local authority, indicating the extent of financial support required to meet service demands. Understanding net expenditure helps assess the financial sustainability of social care services and the commitment level of the local authority.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Client Contributions, otherwise known as “Charging”, show the extent to which service users offset costs. Understanding client contributions helps assess the financial burden on individuals and the local authority, highlighting the need for fair and equitable funding mechanisms.
It is important to note that not all local authorities charge for social care services, and that charging can be a barrier to accessing care for some individuals.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Income from NHS reflects external funding and collaboration with the health sector. Understanding NHS contributions helps understand the level of integration between health and social care.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Budget Cuts indicate financial constraints and potential service reductions. Sometimes, budget cuts are explicit, but other times, they aren’t mentioned directly, making tracking this information difficult to access.
As such, this data is not consistently available for all local authorities.
Access Social Care have made a series of Freedom of Information requests about the government’s own assessment of sufficiency of social care funding. The social care sector is in crisis, yet the government refuses to disclose how it determines funding sufficiency. Without transparency, there is little accountability, no independent scrutiny to improve decision-making, and government trust heavily impacted. Evidence from across the sector indicates a severe funding gap, but without open data, meaningful reform remains impossible. True solutions require honesty about the scale of the problem to then work towards a fair and equitable funding model.
The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, and yet they are not making that known.
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In Camden, spending on social care shows differences when compared to national averages. This analysis looks at key figures for 2024, considering both expenditure and contributions. It explores what these numbers mean in context.
The gross total expenditure on social care in Camden is £58,742.61 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of £47,758.16. The net total expenditure is also higher, at £53,329.09 per 100,000 people, compared to £40,471.81 nationally. This means Camden spends more on social care per person than many other areas.
One reason might be the high population density. Camden has 9,640.9 people per square kilometre, much higher than the England average of 2,468.5. Providing services in densely populated areas can cost more. Urban areas like Camden may also have higher costs for staff and facilities.
Client contributions in Camden are £5,413.52 per 100,000 people, less than the national average of £7,286.35. This suggests residents contribute less towards their care. This could be because some people in Camden have less ability to pay.
Camden's mean deprivation decile is 5.41, close to the England average of 5.9. However, there is more variation in deprivation within Camden, with a standard deviation of 2.52 compared to 2.3 nationally. This means some areas are more deprived, and residents there might need more support.
NHS contributions in Camden are £6,736.03 per 100,000 people, slightly lower than the national average of £7,878.45. This could mean the NHS is providing less funding for social care in Camden. Reasons might include local funding arrangements or different health needs.
Camden's population was estimated at 220,903 in 2023. This is smaller than the average local authority in England, which has 377,060.9 people. Despite the smaller size, the high density means many people live in a small area.
There are no rural areas in Camden, while on average, 34.6% of England's areas are rural. Urban areas can have different social care needs compared to rural ones. Residents might rely more on local services due to factors like limited space and different lifestyles.
The higher spending in Camden suggests greater demand for social care or higher costs of providing services. Lower client contributions mean the local authority covers more of the costs. This could put pressure on budgets and resources.
Lower NHS contributions might lead to less funding available for integrated care services. This could affect the quality or availability of services for residents.
The diverse levels of deprivation in Camden mean some areas might need more support. Planning services to meet these varied needs is important.
Camden spends more on social care per person than the national average. Factors like high population density and urban costs contribute to this. Residents contribute less towards their care, and NHS funding is slightly lower. These factors highlight the importance of careful planning and resource allocation to meet the needs of Camden's population.
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