This page provides an overview of social care in Central Bedfordshire, 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: Central Bedfordshire
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: Central Bedfordshire
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 Central Bedfordshire. 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
Central Bedfordshire has a lower proportion of people with disabilities compared to the national average. The age-standardised rate of disability in the area is 15.5%, while the average for England is 17.6%. This suggests that fewer residents in Central Bedfordshire are living with disabilities than in other parts of the country. This may be influenced by factors such as the area's demographics, health services, and overall wellbeing of the population.
In 2024, there were 2,655 requests for care from working-age adults in Central Bedfordshire. This equates to 861 requests per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 1,143 requests per 100,000 people. This lower rate may reflect a healthier working-age population or possibly barriers to accessing care services. It is important to explore whether residents are aware of the support available or if there are unmet needs in the community.
That same year, 1,330 people aged between 18 and 64 received care services in Central Bedfordshire. This is about 431 people per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 533 per 100,000. The lower number of people receiving care might indicate that fewer individuals require assistance, or it could suggest that some needs are not being met. Understanding the reasons behind this can help improve service provision.
When looking at specific types of care, Central Bedfordshire generally has lower usage rates than the national averages. For instance, 8 people per 100,000 receive nursing care, whereas the national rate is 14 per 100,000. Residential care services are used by 47 people per 100,000, while the national average is 61 per 100,000. Similarly, only 54 people per 100,000 use community direct payments, compared to 122 per 100,000 nationally.
However, the area has a higher rate of individuals using community-managed personal budgets, with 290 people per 100,000 compared to the national average of 267 per 100,000. This suggests that residents prefer to have more control over their care services, opting for personalised support that suits their individual needs.
In 2025, there were several requests for specific types of help. For example, requests for assessments were at a rate of nearly 3 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 1.72 per 100,000. Similarly, requests for help with charging and information seeking were also above the national averages. This indicates that residents are actively seeking guidance on assessments and financial aspects of care, highlighting areas where services can provide additional support.
Central Bedfordshire's population has been steadily increasing, from 284,688 in 2019 to 308,302 in 2023. Despite this growth, the area remains less densely populated than the England average, with 411 residents per square kilometre compared to 2,469 per square kilometre nationally. Over half of the population lives in rural areas, which is higher than the national figure of 34.6%.
The area is also less deprived, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.53 versus the national average of 5.9. This means that Central Bedfordshire ranks higher on socio-economic factors such as income, employment, education, and health. The lower levels of deprivation may contribute to the overall better health and reduced need for care services among residents.
The lower proportion of disabled people and reduced demand for certain care services suggest that Central Bedfordshire's population may have fewer health and social care needs. However, the higher requests for help with assessments and financial matters indicate that residents value support in navigating the care system. Service providers should ensure that information and assistance are readily available, especially in rural areas where access might be more challenging.
The preference for community-managed personal budgets highlights the importance of offering flexible, personalised care options. By catering to individual needs and empowering residents to manage their own care, services can improve satisfaction and outcomes.
Central Bedfordshire exhibits a lower prevalence of disability and reduced utilisation of some care services compared to national figures. Factors such as lower deprivation, a growing yet less dense population, and a higher rural percentage play a role in shaping these trends. Understanding the specific needs and preferences of the community is essential for effective service delivery. By focusing on personalised support and ensuring accessibility, especially in information and financial guidance, care services can better serve the residents of Central Bedfordshire.
✨ ✅ ❌Older People
Just like with Working Age people, knowing how many older people are requesting social care, how many people are recieving care and what percent of the population is 65+ helps understand need and social care provision at a top level.
Jamaican female, blind and in her 40s. She was in an emergency Bed & Breakfast with her Niece, who acts as her unofficial carer, she is unable to work but would like to go to University. She is receiving PIP but not the Daily Living Allowance which she applied for in June 2021. She is vulnerable and has a history of self harm so was assigned a rehab Support Worker. Vanessa supported her using the Chatbot to chase up her PIP Daily Living allowance application, after waiting for several months and they received a reply within a week but was awarded the lower rate.
Another Chatbot letter was sent to request an urgent assessment due to her vulnerability and this was action quickly by the LA. Vanessa also supported her to use the chatbot and ask the Social worker to be moved to a place that supports her needs and rights. As she was having to use a shared bathroom, toilet and kitchen in a place with drug/alcohol abusers and being blind with no carer, this left her vulnerable. The Chatbot was used again to raise this issue and after a few weeks she was successfully moved to a private property in another area.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
As above, it is important to see what type of care older people are being provided because it can help explain where additional work is needed.
ASCFR and SALT Data Tables 2023-24 Sheet T34
The proportion of older people in Central Bedfordshire has remained steady from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, 18.07% of the population were older people, which is close to the national average of 18.4%. By 2023, this proportion increased slightly to 18.14%, while the national average stood at 18.5%. This suggests that the area has a stable ageing population, similar to the rest of the country.
In 2024, there were 5,625 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Central Bedfordshire. This equals 1,824.51 requests per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 2,437.85 per 100,000. Fewer requests may indicate that older residents have better health or greater support from families and communities. It might also reflect potential barriers to accessing services in rural areas.
That same year, 2,765 older people received care services, amounting to 896.85 per 100,000 people. This is below the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. The lower uptake of care services could suggest that fewer older individuals need formal support, possibly due to a healthier ageing population or effective community interventions.
The types of care received vary among older residents. In 2024, 265 people received nursing care and 630 received residential care. Per 100,000 people, these figures are 85.95 and 204.35 respectively, both below the national averages. Additionally, 1,515 people received community-based care through council-managed personal budgets, at a rate of 491.40 per 100,000, slightly below the national average of 507.92. This indicates a preference for community care, allowing older people to remain in their homes.
Central Bedfordshire's population has grown from 284,688 in 2019 to 308,302 in 2023. With 411.2 residents per square kilometre, the area is less densely populated than the national average of 2,468.5. It is also more rural, with 53.89% of the area being rural compared to the national average of 34.6%. The mean deprivation decile is 7.53, higher than the England mean of 5.9, indicating lower levels of deprivation.
The combination of a rural setting and lower deprivation may contribute to better health among older residents. Rural communities often have stronger social ties, which can offer informal support networks. Lower deprivation levels are associated with better access to resources, healthier lifestyles, and longer life expectancy. These factors may reduce the need for formal care services.
The data suggests that service providers should consider the rural nature and demographics of Central Bedfordshire when planning care services. Enhancing access to services in rural areas and supporting community-based care can help meet the needs of older residents. Policies that promote healthy ageing and leverage community support could maintain or even reduce the demand for formal care services.
Understanding the lower demand for care services is important for resource allocation. Investing in community programmes that support older people may be more effective in this context. Ensuring that services are accessible to those in remote areas can help address any unmet needs. Tailoring services to the preferences of older residents, such as favouring community-based care, can improve satisfaction and outcomes.
✨ ✅ ❌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
This report looks at unpaid carers in Central Bedfordshire. We use data from 2021 and 2024 to understand their situation. We compare local figures with national averages to see how carers in the area are doing.
In 2021, Central Bedfordshire had about 7,968 unpaid carers for every 100,000 people. This is a bit lower than the national average of 8,204 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. With a population of around 295,651, this means there were about 23,556 unpaid carers in the area.
The slightly lower number of carers might be because of the age and health of people living in Central Bedfordshire. The area has been growing, with the population increasing from about 284,688 in 2019 to 308,302 in 2023. This growth could affect the number of carers needed in the future.
In 2024, only 22.7% of carers in Central Bedfordshire felt they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is less than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in the area may feel more lonely or isolated.
Central Bedfordshire is quite rural, with 53.9% of the area being countryside. The national average is 34.6% rural. Because people live further apart, it might be harder for carers to meet others. The low population density of 411 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,469 people nationally, could also make social contact more difficult.
On a positive note, 68.3% of carers in Central Bedfordshire found it easy to get information about services in 2024. This is higher than the national average of 59.3%. This means that carers in the area are better able to find the help they need.
Carers receive different types of support. In Central Bedfordshire, 214 carers per 100,000 people got a managed personal budget. This is much higher than the national average of 66 per 100,000 people. It shows that the area focuses on giving carers personal budgets to help them.
However, only 63 carers per 100,000 people received information and advice services. The national average is 339 per 100,000 people. This means fewer carers in Central Bedfordshire are getting direct advice and information.
Also, only 6 carers per 100,000 people had no direct support, compared to 130 per 100,000 nationally. This suggests that most carers in the area are receiving some form of help.
Central Bedfordshire is less deprived than other areas. It has a mean deprivation score of 7.53 out of 10, while the national average is 5.9. This means people in the area may have more resources and better living conditions.
The area's rural nature and growing population can impact carers. The increase in people from 2019 to 2023 means there may be more carers in the future. The rural setting might make it harder for carers to access services and support.
Carers in Central Bedfordshire feel more isolated than carers in other areas. This could be due to the rural environment and people living further apart. Services might need to help carers connect with others to reduce loneliness.
While many carers find it easy to get information, fewer are receiving direct advice services. Providing more advice and support could help carers manage their roles better.
The focus on managed personal budgets is good, but other support services might need attention. With the growing population, planning for more carers and their needs is important.
Overall, Central Bedfordshire offers support to carers, but there are areas to improve. Helping carers feel less isolated and providing more direct support can make a big difference in their lives.
✨ ✅ ❌Care providers are essential for delivering social care services, including home care agencies and care homes. The quality of care they provide can vary significantly, impacting the well-being of service users. This section examines the number and types of care providers, their quality ratings, and some of the difficulties of maintaining high standards. Understanding these metrics is crucial for ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive high-quality care.
The number and types of care providers in a local authority can impact the availability and quality of social care services. Understanding the distribution of care providers directly influences people’s ability to get the care they need.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates care providers based on their quality of care, safety, and effectiveness. Understanding the quality ratings of care providers can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of care providers with low ratings may indicate a need for improved training and support, while a high number of care providers with high ratings may suggest that existing services are effective.
Framework rates are the agreed prices that local authorities pay care providers for social care services, such as home care and residential care. These rates are crucial because they determine the affordability, availability, and quality of care in a city. If rates are too low, providers may struggle to sustain services, leading to workforce shortages, poor care quality, and limited access for those relying on council-funded care.
Understanding framework rates helps assess whether local authorities are adequately funding social care, ensuring fair pay for care workers, and maintaining a sustainable care market that meets residents’ needs.
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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, Central Bedfordshire had 36 community-based adult social care services and 55 residential social care providers. These numbers are lower than the national averages, which are 63.8 for community services and 91 for residential care. Central Bedfordshire has a smaller population than the England average. In 2023, the population was 308,302, while the average for England was 377,060.9. This means there are fewer people to serve, so fewer care providers may be expected.
The quality of care providers is a concern. In Central Bedfordshire, 24.18% of care providers needed improvement or were inadequate. The national average is lower, at 16.8%. This higher percentage suggests that people in Central Bedfordshire might not always get the best care. Improving the quality of care providers is important for the well-being of residents.
Staff turnover is when employees leave a job, and new ones are hired. In 2023/24, the turnover rate in Central Bedfordshire was 23.87%. This is similar to the regional average of 23.9%. The vacancy rate shows how many jobs are unfilled. Central Bedfordshire had a vacancy rate of 6.94%, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. This means fewer positions were empty.
Even with a lower vacancy rate, many care providers found it hard to recruit and keep staff. About 82.88% said recruiting staff was more challenging or much more challenging. The regional average for this was 79.8%. For retaining staff, 70.9% found it more challenging, compared to the regional average of 68.1%. This shows that staffing is a big challenge in the area.
Central Bedfordshire is more rural than many places. In 2011, 53.89% of the area was rural, while the England average was 34.6%. Fewer people live close together. In 2021, there were 411.2 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,468.5 in England on average. Rural areas can have more difficulties with staff recruitment and retention. Travel distances are longer, and there may be fewer local amenities.
The area is also less deprived than other places. In 2019, the mean deprivation decile was 7.53, higher than the national mean of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. Even so, care providers still face challenges. The population is growing, from 284,688 in 2019 to 308,302 in 2023. More people may need care services, adding pressure on providers.
The higher number of care providers needing improvement means that action is needed. Improving training and support for care providers could help. Addressing staffing challenges is also important. Offering better incentives, training, and support might make it easier to recruit and keep staff.
Considering the rural nature of Central Bedfordshire, solutions might include helping staff with transport or offering flexible working arrangements. As the population grows, planning for more care services will be important to meet the needs of residents.
Central Bedfordshire has fewer care providers than the national average, which fits with its smaller population. However, a higher percentage of these providers need improvement. Staffing challenges are significant, even with a lower vacancy rate. The rural setting and growing population add to these challenges. Focusing on improving care quality and addressing staffing issues can help provide better services for the community.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Central Bedfordshire shows good performance in health and social care services. The percentage of delayed discharges from hospitals is 10.98%, which is lower than the national average of 12.3%. This means that patients are leaving hospital on time more often in Central Bedfordshire than in other areas. The average delay is also shorter, at 0.422 days compared to the national average of 0.7 days. This suggests that local services are working well together to help people move from hospital to home or other care settings quickly.
Residents in Central Bedfordshire are generally satisfied with their care and support. About 66.4% of people said they were satisfied, which is higher than the national average of 64.7%. This indicates that the quality of care is good in the area. However, another survey by NatCen shows that 57% of people are dissatisfied with social care. This points to a possible issue that might need further investigation to understand why some residents feel this way.
When it comes to finding information about services, 67.7% of people in Central Bedfordshire find it easy, slightly below the national average of 68.2%. Improving access to information could help more people get the support they need. Ensuring that information is readily available and easy to understand can enhance people's experience with health and social care services.
The number of complaints made to the ombudsman is lower in Central Bedfordshire than the national average. There are 1.62 complaints received per 100,000 people, compared to 4.45 nationally. Similarly, there are 2.27 complaints decided per 100,000 people, while the national average is 4.12. Fewer complaints might mean that services are meeting people's needs effectively, or that any issues are resolved before needing to involve the ombudsman.
Central Bedfordshire is more rural than other parts of England, with 53.9% of the area being rural compared to the national average of 34.6%. The population density is lower, with 411.2 residents per square kilometre, while the national average is 2,468.5. Despite the challenges that can come with providing services in rural areas, Central Bedfordshire manages to keep delays low and satisfaction high. This could be due to effective planning and delivery of services across the county.
The area is less deprived than the national average. The mean deprivation decile is 7.53, whereas the national mean is 5.9. Less deprivation often leads to better health outcomes and can reduce the demand on services. This might contribute to the positive results seen in Central Bedfordshire’s health and social care services.
The population of Central Bedfordshire has been growing steadily, from 284,688 in 2019 to 308,302 in 2023. An increasing population can put more pressure on health and social care services. Planning for this growth is important to ensure that services continue to meet the needs of residents effectively.
In conclusion, Central Bedfordshire demonstrates strong performance in health and social care quality improvement. With lower delayed discharges, higher satisfaction rates, and fewer complaints, the area is doing well compared to national averages. There is still room for improvement, particularly in making information about services more accessible. Continuing to monitor and address areas of dissatisfaction will help maintain high standards of care as the population grows.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
✨ ✅ ❌?
In Central Bedfordshire, spending on social care reflects the needs of a growing and less densely populated community. The population has increased from 284,688 in 2019 to 308,302 in 2023. This growth brings new demands for social care services.
The gross total expenditure on social care per 100,000 people is £46,985.23, slightly below the England average of £47,758.16. This suggests that Central Bedfordshire manages its social care services efficiently, or that demand is slightly lower than elsewhere.
The net total expenditure per 100,000 people is £39,915.03, also slightly below the national average of £40,471.81. This represents council spending after client and NHS contributions. It indicates that the area provides necessary services while maintaining financial responsibility.
Clients contribute £7,070.20 per 100,000 people towards their care, slightly less than the England average of £7,286.35. This might mean that clients have a similar ability to pay as elsewhere, or that services are more affordable.
The NHS contributes £2,583.51 per 100,000 people to social care, significantly lower than the national average of £7,878.45. Lower NHS contributions could be due to fewer health-related social care needs or different funding arrangements.
Central Bedfordshire is more rural, with 53.9% of land classified as rural compared to 34.6% in England, and has a lower population density of 411.2 people per square kilometre versus 2,468.5 in England. Rural areas often face challenges in providing services over larger areas.
The area is less deprived, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.53 compared to England's 5.9. This means there may be less demand for services related to poverty.
These factors suggest Central Bedfordshire may not need as much funding for social care as more urban or deprived areas. However, with a growing population, demand is likely to increase. The lower NHS contributions could affect integrated health and social care services. The council may need to plan resource allocation accordingly.
Providing social care in rural areas can be challenging due to distances and transport. The council might need strategies to ensure all residents have access to needed services.
Overall, Central Bedfordshire's spending on social care seems appropriate for current needs. Monitoring population growth and demand changes will be important to keep services sufficient and effective.
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