This page provides an overview of social care in Cheshire West and Chester, 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: Cheshire West and Chester
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: Cheshire West and Chester
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 Cheshire West and Chester. 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 Cheshire West and Chester, 18% of the population are disabled, slightly above the national average of 17.6%. This means there may be a greater need for care services in the area.
In 2024, there were 2,635 requests for care from adults aged 18 to 64. This is 721.8 requests per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national rate of 1,143.48 per 100,000. This lower rate might suggest that fewer working-age adults are seeking help, or that they have less need for care services.
A total of 1,850 people aged 18 to 64 received care services in 2024. This equals 506.8 people per 100,000, close to the national average of 532.68 per 100,000. This shows that the area provides care to a similar number of people as other parts of the country.
The types of care services used vary. Nursing care was provided to 75 people (20.5 per 100,000), which is higher than the national average of 13.75 per 100,000. This might mean more people need intensive care. Residential care was used by 115 people (31.5 per 100,000), which is less than the national rate of 60.61 per 100,000. This suggests fewer people are in residential homes.
Community care with direct payments was received by 285 people (78.1 per 100,000), lower than the national average of 122.17 per 100,000. However, 1,210 people (331.5 per 100,000) had community care managed by the local council, which is higher than the national rate of 266.67 per 100,000. This shows a preference for council-managed care services in the community.
The population of Cheshire West and Chester has grown from 353,362 in 2019 to 365,061 in 2023. The area is less densely populated, with 388.2 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5. Also, 40.4% of the area is rural, which is higher than the national figure of 34.6%. These factors might affect how care services are accessed, with rural areas possibly needing more community-based support.
The deprivation score for the area is 6.23, slightly better than the national average of 5.9. This means the area is less deprived, which could lead to better health outcomes and affect the need for care services. However, the higher variation in deprivation scores within the area suggests some communities may have higher needs.
The data suggests that while requests for care are lower, the number of people receiving care is similar to other areas. The higher use of nursing care and council-managed community services might reflect the needs of the population in Cheshire West and Chester. Service providers may need to focus on delivering community care, especially in rural areas, to meet these needs.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Cheshire West and Chester has been steadily rising from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, older adults made up 21% of the population, increasing to 21.6% by 2023. This is higher than the national average, which remained around 18.5% during the same period. The growing number of older residents suggests that the area has an aging population, which may influence the demand for care services.
In 2024, there were 6,795 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Cheshire West and Chester. This equates to 1,861 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 2,438 per 100,000. Additionally, 3,205 older individuals received care services, amounting to 878 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 1,003 per 100,000. Despite having a higher proportion of older residents, the area has lower rates of care requests and service use. This might indicate that older people in the area are more independent or that there are barriers to accessing care services.
The use of nursing care services is notably higher in Cheshire West and Chester. In 2024, 770 older people received nursing care, which is 211 per 100,000 people. This rate exceeds the national average of 122 per 100,000. On the other hand, the use of residential care is slightly lower than the national average, with 770 individuals receiving residential care, equating to 211 per 100,000 people, compared to 250 per 100,000 nationally. Community-based services also have lower uptake, with 408 per 100,000 people receiving managed personal budgets versus the national average of 508 per 100,000. The higher reliance on nursing care may suggest a greater need for specialized medical support among older residents.
Cheshire West and Chester has a lower population density, with 388 residents per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,469. The area is also more rural, with 40% of it classified as rural land, higher than the national figure of 34.6%. These factors may affect the accessibility and delivery of care services, as rural and less densely populated areas can face challenges in providing widespread support.
The area has a mean deprivation decile of 6.23, slightly higher than the national mean of 5.9, indicating lower levels of deprivation. However, the higher standard deviation suggests varied levels of deprivation across different parts of the area. This mix means that while some communities may have fewer economic challenges, others might still require additional support.
The increasing proportion of older residents in Cheshire West and Chester highlights the need for effective planning in health and social care services. The lower rates of care requests and service use, despite the higher older population, could point to unmet needs or difficulties in accessing services. The higher use of nursing care suggests that when older residents do seek support, they might require more intensive services.
Considering the rural nature of the area and the varied levels of deprivation, service providers may need to tailor their approaches. Enhancing community outreach and ensuring that services are accessible to those in more remote areas could help address potential disparities. Allocating resources to support both nursing and community-based care services might better meet the needs of the older population.
✨ ✅ ❌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
The number of unpaid carers in Cheshire West and Chester in 2021 was 9125 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 8203 per 100,000 people. This suggests that a larger proportion of the local population is providing unpaid care compared to other areas. The higher percentage of rural areas (40.4% compared to the national average of 34.6%) may contribute to this, as rural communities often rely more on family and friends for care.
In 2024, 27.7% of carers in Cheshire West and Chester reported that they had as much social contact as they would like, slightly below the national average of 29.3%. This could indicate feelings of isolation among carers, possibly due to the rural nature of the area and lower population density (388.2 residents per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2468.5). Additionally, 58.8% of carers felt it was easy to find information about services, just below the national average of 59.3%. This suggests a need to improve access to information for carers in the area.
The provision of direct support to carers in Cheshire West and Chester shows some differences compared to national figures. For direct payments, the rate is 61.6 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average of 149.9. This means fewer carers are receiving direct financial support. For information, advice, and signposting services, the rate is 86.3 per 100,000 people, which is also below the national average of 338.7. This could contribute to carers finding it harder to access information.
The number of carers receiving no direct support is 391.7 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the national average of 129.6. This indicates that many carers in Cheshire West and Chester are not receiving help from services. On the other hand, support involving the cared-for person, such as respite care, is provided at a rate of 164.4 per 100,000 people, more than double the national average of 70.0. This suggests a focus on supporting carers by providing services to those they care for.
The higher number of unpaid carers and the lower levels of direct support suggest that carers in Cheshire West and Chester may have unmet needs. The rural setting and lower population density may make it harder for carers to access services and information. The slight increase in population from 2019 to 2023 indicates a growing demand for care services.
The higher standard deviation in deprivation deciles (2.99 compared to the national average of 2.3) shows there is a wider range of deprivation levels in the area. This means some areas may have higher needs than others. Services may need to be tailored to address these differences.
To improve the situation, local authorities could focus on increasing direct support to carers, especially in providing information and advice. Enhancing access to social contact opportunities could help reduce feelings of isolation among carers. Considering the higher provision of support involving the cared-for person, balancing this with direct support to carers themselves may lead to better outcomes.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Cheshire West and Chester, there are 68 community-based adult social care services and 73 residential social care providers as of 2024. The number of community-based services is slightly higher than the national average of 63.8. However, the number of residential care providers is lower than the national average of 91. This suggests that the area may rely more on community services rather than residential care. The emphasis on community-based care could reflect local preferences or policies encouraging support in people's own homes.
The proportion of care providers needing improvement or rated as inadequate is 16.9% in Cheshire West and Chester, which is slightly above the national average of 16.8%. This indicates that the quality of care services in the area is similar to the national picture but shows room for improvement. Efforts to enhance service quality could focus on targeted support for providers struggling to meet standards.
Staffing is a significant concern for care providers in the region. The turnover rate stands at 25.4%, matching the average for the North West. This level of turnover can affect continuity of care and increase recruitment costs. The vacancy rate is 7.2%, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. While this might seem positive, it could also mean that providers are operating with fewer staff than needed.
A high percentage of providers report challenges in staffing. About 69.5% find it more challenging or much more challenging to retain staff, slightly higher than the regional average of 68.1%. Furthermore, 81.3% face difficulties in recruiting staff, compared to 79.8% regionally. These challenges could be due to competition for skilled workers, working conditions, or the rural nature of the area making travel difficult.
The population of Cheshire West and Chester has been growing steadily, from 353,362 in 2019 to 365,061 in 2023. Although the population size is slightly below the England average, the growth may increase demand for care services. The area has a population density of 388.2 residents per square kilometre, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5. This lower density, combined with 40.4% of residents living in rural areas, means that care services may need to cover large areas, presenting logistical challenges.
The mean deprivation decile is 6.23, which is higher than the national average of 5.9. This suggests that the area is less deprived overall. However, the high standard deviation of 2.99 indicates significant variation in deprivation levels across the area. Some parts may experience higher levels of deprivation, affecting access to care and the ability of providers to operate financially.
The combination of staffing challenges and an increasing population suggests that care providers may struggle to meet growing demand. The reliance on community-based services requires enough staff to provide care across dispersed areas. Recruiting and retaining staff is crucial, especially given the rural nature of much of the region.
Lower vacancy rates might indicate that positions are being filled, but the reported difficulties suggest that providers may be hiring less experienced staff or those who may not stay long-term. This could impact the quality of care and increase the number of providers needing improvement.
The area's lower population density and higher rural percentage mean that residents might have difficulty accessing services. Providers may need to consider innovative solutions such as mobile care units or increased use of technology to reach clients in remote areas.
Cheshire West and Chester face challenges in delivering adult social care services. The number of care providers suggests a reliance on community services, but staffing issues could hinder their effectiveness. The growing population and rural characteristics of the area add to the complexity of providing adequate care. Addressing recruitment and retention challenges is essential to ensure that care providers can meet the needs of the community. Strategies might include improving working conditions, offering incentives, or investing in training. By focusing on these areas, Cheshire West and Chester can work towards enhancing the quality and accessibility of care services for all residents.
✨ ✅ ❌Historically, hospital delays have been due in large part, to the inability to discharge patients into social care. We no longer have DTOC data, but we can still look at the number of hospital delays and the number of facilities requiring improvement.
CQC, as the regulator of health and social care services in England, is beginning to rate Local Authorities on their social care provision. Understanding the CQC rating of a local authority should be used as the most official evaluation of service care provision. For example, a low rating may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high rating may suggest that existing services are effective.
Hospital delays can have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes, and are in large part the result of not having invested sufficiently in social care. Understanding the number of hospital delays in a local authority can be a sympthom of a poorly working social care sector. For example, a high number of hospital delays may indicate a need for improved discharge planning and coordination, not enough places to discharge people to, lack of sufficient staff to assess patients, or a lack of care providers.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
This metric illustrates how long patients are delayed in hospital before being discharged. Higher average delays mean that patients are spending more time in hospital than necessary, which can lead to increased costs, reduced bed availability, and poorer patient outcomes. This also means that the beds are not available for people that might desperately need them for life-saving procedures.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) refers to the time between a patient being declared medically fit for discharge and actually leaving the hospital. Understanding the number of DTOCs in a local authority can help identify precisely where the social care system is failing.
Unfortunately, this dataset is no longer being generated.
Reablement is a short-term service that helps people regain independence and confidence after a period of illness or injury. Understanding the number of people receiving reablement services can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving reablement services may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a low number of people receiving reablement services may suggest that existing services are effective.
Coming soon!
Service user satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of social care services. Understanding service user satisfaction can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of service user satisfaction may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high level of service user satisfaction may suggest that existing services are effective.
It is important to note that the people surveyed are already receiving service care. Notably absent are all the people that are not yet lucky enough to be receiving care.
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 1
Access to information is crucial for people using social care services to navigate the system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for people to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of people finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 13
An ombudsman is a person who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and organisations. The number of cases received and decided by the Ombudsman is important because it provides insight into the volume of complaints about a local authority’s social care services and how effectively these complaints are being addressed. The number of cases received indicates the level of dissatisfaction or systemic issues within a council’s care provision, while the number of cases decided shows how efficiently the Ombudsman is processing and resolving complaints. A large gap between the two may suggest delays in complaint handling, leaving individuals waiting.
It is important to note that contacting the Ombudsman is widely considered a last resort, often discouraged, and sometimes penalised.
Cheshire West and Chester is a local authority in England with a population of 365,061 in 2023, which is slightly below the national average of 377,061. The area has a population density of 388.2 usual residents per square kilometre, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5. This reflects a more rural character, with 40.4% of the area classified as rural compared to the national average of 34.6%.
The mean deprivation decile in 2019 was 6.23, indicating that Cheshire West and Chester is less deprived than the national average of 5.9. However, the standard deviation of 2.99 suggests a varied level of deprivation across the area, with some communities experiencing more challenges than others.
In November 2024, 70.5% of discharges from Cheshire West and Chester's local authority went to acceptable trusts, which is lower than the national average of 89%. This could mean that fewer patients are being discharged to trusts that meet certain quality standards, possibly due to limited availability or capacity of such trusts in the area.
The percentage of discharges that were delayed was 10.4%, slightly below the national average of 12.3%. While this is positive, the average delay per discharge was 1.38 days, which is higher than the national average of 0.7 days. The longer delays might be due to the rural nature of the area, where transportation and access to services can take more time.
In 2024, 67.9% of respondents in Cheshire West and Chester said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is higher than the national average of 64.7%, suggesting that most people are happy with the services they receive locally. However, another source, NatCen, reported a 57% dissatisfaction rate with social care nationally. This difference indicates that while Cheshire West and Chester is performing well in terms of satisfaction, there may still be broader concerns about social care services.
When it comes to finding information about services, 66.4% of people using services in Cheshire West and Chester felt it was easy to do so, slightly below the national average of 68.2%. Improving access to information could help more people benefit from the services available.
The data suggests that Cheshire West and Chester performs well in user satisfaction but faces challenges with hospital discharges and delays. The lower percentage of discharges to acceptable trusts and the higher average delay might affect patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. Addressing these issues could involve enhancing local trust capacities or improving coordination between services.
The rural nature of the area may impact service delivery, as lower population density can mean services are spread out and harder to access. Tailoring services to meet the needs of rural communities, such as providing better transport options or mobile services, could improve accessibility.
The variation in deprivation levels across the area indicates that some communities may need more support. Focusing resources on these areas could help reduce inequalities and improve overall outcomes.
While data on complaints to the ombudsman for Cheshire West and Chester is not available, the national average is 4.45 complaints per 100,000 people. Monitoring complaints locally could provide insights into areas needing improvement.
Overall, focusing on reducing discharge delays, increasing the proportion of discharges to acceptable trusts, and making it easier for people to find information about services could help enhance the quality of care in Cheshire West and Chester.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
✨ ✅ ❌?
Cheshire West and Chester is dedicating considerable resources to social care services. In 2024, the gross total expenditure on social care per 100,000 people is £53,385.05. This figure is higher than the national average of £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This suggests that the area is investing more in social care than many other regions in England.
The gross total expenditure represents the overall spending before any contributions are deducted. After accounting for contributions from clients and the NHS, the net total expenditure per 100,000 people in Cheshire West and Chester is £44,458.05. This is again above the national average of £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. The higher spending may indicate a greater demand for social care services or a commitment to providing comprehensive support to residents.
Clients in Cheshire West and Chester contribute £8,927.00 per 100,000 people towards their care, exceeding the national average of £7,286.35. This could reflect a population that is more able to contribute financially. On the other hand, NHS contributions in the area are £4,960.54 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of £7,878.45. This lower contribution from the NHS might place additional financial responsibility on the local authority to fund social care services.
The population of Cheshire West and Chester has been steadily growing, from 353,362 in 2019 to 365,061 in 2023. While this number is slightly below the national average, the area has a lower population density, with 388.2 residents per square kilometre compared to England's average of 2,468.5. A significant portion of the population lives in rural areas, accounting for 40.4% compared to the national average of 34.6%. The rural nature of the region may increase the costs of delivering social care services due to greater distances and dispersed communities.
In terms of deprivation, Cheshire West and Chester has a mean deprivation decile of 6.23, slightly above the national mean of 5.9. This indicates that the area is less deprived than many others. However, the standard deviation of 2.99 suggests a wide range of deprivation levels within the area. Some parts may be very affluent, while others face significant challenges. The higher client contributions might be possible due to the more affluent segments of the population.
The higher gross and net expenditures imply that Cheshire West and Chester is prioritising social care. The lower NHS contributions highlight a potential area for policy development. Enhancing partnerships with the NHS could help balance the funding and ensure sustainable services. The rural characteristics of the area mean that service delivery must account for different challenges compared to urban settings.
Cheshire West and Chester demonstrates a strong commitment to social care, investing more per person than the national average. The area's population growth, lower density, and rural landscape influence the cost and delivery of services. While clients contribute more towards their care, the lower NHS funding suggests room for improved collaboration. Addressing these factors can help maintain and enhance social care services for all residents.
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