This page provides an overview of social care in City of London, 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: City of London
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: City of London
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 City of London. Understanding the types of care available can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving personal care may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a high number of people receiving respite care may suggest a need for additional support for carers.
ASCFR and SALT Data Tables 2023-24 Sheet T34
The City of London has a lower proportion of disabled people compared to the national average. Specifically, 11.8% of the population is disabled, while the average across England is 17.6%. This suggests that there may be fewer people with disabilities in the City of London than in other areas.
In 2024, there were 30 requests for care from working-age adults. This equates to 222.85 requests per 100,000 people, which is less than the national rate of 1,143.48 requests per 100,000 people. Fewer requests for care might mean that the working-age population in the City of London is generally healthier or that there are fewer people needing assistance.
The number of people aged 18 to 64 receiving care was 45 in 2024. This is 334.27 people per 100,000, while the national rate is 532.68 per 100,000. This lower rate suggests that fewer adults in this age group require care services in the City of London.
For community care with a council-managed personal budget, 35 people received support. This is 259.99 per 100,000 people, which is close to the national average of 266.67 per 100,000. This indicates that, for this type of care, the City of London is similar to other areas in England.
In 2025, there were requests for help in several areas:
These rates are higher than the national averages for these categories. For example, the rate for assessment requests in the City of London is 14.86 per 100,000 people, while the national average is 1.72 per 100,000. This might mean that people in the City of London are more proactive in seeking support or that there is a greater awareness of available services.
The population of the City of London has been growing, from 8,765 in 2019 to 13,462 in 2023. The area is also more densely populated than the average, with 2,975 people per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5 people per square kilometre across England. Additionally, the City of London is less deprived than other areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.67, higher than the national average of 5.9. A higher decile indicates less deprivation.
The lower proportion of disabled people and fewer people needing care might be linked to the younger population in the City of London. The area may attract working-age adults who are employed and healthier. The higher requests for help with assessments and care plans suggest that while fewer people need care, those who do are actively seeking support.
The data implies that service delivery in the City of London should focus on providing accessible information and support for those who need it. Given the higher rates of requests for specific help, resources could be allocated to services like assessments and care planning. Policies might aim to ensure that these services are well-funded and staffed to meet the needs of the population.
In conclusion, the City of London has a lower proportion of disabled people and fewer people requiring care compared to the national averages. However, there is a higher rate of requests for certain types of help. Service providers should consider these factors when planning and delivering support to ensure that the needs of the community are met.
✨ ✅ ❌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 City of London has a smaller percentage of older people compared to the national average. From 2019 to 2023, the proportion of residents aged 65 and over decreased from 13.9% to 10.4%. In the same period, the national average remained around 18.5%. This means there are fewer older adults in the City of London than in other parts of England.
In 2024, there were 65 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in the City of London. This is equal to about 483 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is much higher, at 2,438 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that fewer older residents in the City of London are asking for care services.
Also in 2024, 90 older people in the City of London were receiving care. This is about 669 people per 100,000 residents. The national average is 1,003 people per 100,000 residents. This means that fewer older adults in the City of London are getting care services compared to other areas.
Among those receiving care in 2024, 10 were in nursing care, and 20 were in residential care. This is lower than the national averages. For nursing care, there were about 74 people per 100,000 in the City of London, compared to 122 per 100,000 nationally. For residential care, the City had about 149 people per 100,000, while the national figure was 250 per 100,000. Most older people receiving care in the City of London used community services managed by the council, with 60 people in this category.
The total population of the City of London grew from 8,689 in 2021 to 13,462 in 2023. This increase might affect the proportion of older people, making it seem smaller. The City has a high population density, with 2,975 people per square kilometre in 2021. This is higher than the England average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. The area is entirely urban, with 0% rural land.
The City of London has a mean deprivation decile of 6.67, which is better than the national average of 5.9. This means the area is less deprived than many other parts of England. Lower deprivation might contribute to better health among older residents, possibly reducing the need for care services.
The lower number of older people requesting and receiving care might mean that there is less demand for care services in the City of London. This could be due to the younger population or better overall health among older residents. Service providers might need to adjust resources to meet the actual needs of the community. Planning for the future should consider the growing population and ensure that services are available if demand increases.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
In 2021, there were 5,662 unpaid carers per 100,000 people in the City of London. This is lower than the national average of 8,203 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. The City of London has a unique population, with many young professionals and fewer older residents. This might mean there are fewer people needing care from family members or friends.
In 2024, only 17.6% of carers in the City of London said they had as much social contact as they wanted. Across England, 29.3% of carers felt this way. This shows that carers in the City might feel more isolated. They may need more support to connect with others and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Even though many carers feel isolated, 83.3% of carers in the City of London found it easy to get information about services in 2024. This is much higher than the national average of 59.3%. It suggests that the City provides good resources and information for carers.
In 2024, the City of London provided 222.85 part direct payments per 100,000 people to carers. This is higher than the national average of 44.83 per 100,000 people. Part direct payments help carers by giving them funds to arrange their own support. The higher rate in the City means carers might have more control over the help they receive.
The population of the City of London grew from 8,765 in 2019 to 13,462 in 2023. This increase may lead to a higher demand for care services. The City is very densely populated, with 2,975 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5. A dense population can affect how services are delivered, as more people live in a smaller area.
The City of London has a mean deprivation decile of 6.67, which is higher than the national average of 5.9. This means the area is less deprived than many other places. Lower deprivation can impact the need for unpaid care, as people might have better access to paid services.
Carers in the City of London receive good information and financial support but may feel socially isolated. Service providers could focus on creating more opportunities for carers to connect with others. As the population grows, there may be a need to expand care services. Understanding the unique characteristics of the City's population can help in planning and allocating resources effectively.
While carers in the City of London have access to support and information, many do not have as much social contact as they would like. Addressing social isolation could improve the well-being of carers. Planning for future needs is important as the population continues to grow.
✨ ✅ ❌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
The City of London has a unique care provider landscape. In 2024, there is one community-based adult social care service in the area. This number is much lower than the England average of 63.8 providers. Despite the small number, the quality of care appears high. None of the care providers in the City of London are rated as needing improvement or inadequate, while the national average stands at 16.8%.
Staff turnover and vacancies are important indicators of the stability of care services. The turnover rate in the City of London for 2023/24 is 19.04%, slightly above the England average of 19%. This suggests that retaining staff is a challenge, though not significantly more so than elsewhere.
The vacancy rate in the City of London is 5.12%, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. This indicates that most positions are filled, which is positive for service continuity.
The challenges in retaining and recruiting staff are notable. In 2024, 56.04% of providers in the City of London reported that retaining staff is more challenging or much more challenging. This is lower than the England average of 68.1%, but still a significant concern. Recruiting staff is also challenging, with 67.98% of providers facing more difficulty, compared to 79.8% nationally. The urban setting of the City of London may help attract staff, but challenges remain.
The population of the City of London has been increasing. In 2019, the population was 8,765, rising to 13,462 in 2023. This growth may lead to increased demand for care services. With a density of 2,975 residents per square kilometre in 2021, the City is more densely populated than the England average of 2,468.5.
The City of London is less deprived than other areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.67 in 2019, compared to the national average of 5.9. A higher decile indicates less deprivation. This may affect the need for care services, as areas with lower deprivation may have different demands.
Given the small number of care providers and the growing population, it is important to monitor the capacity of services in the City of London. The low vacancy rate suggests that current staffing levels are manageable, but the challenges in recruiting and retaining staff could impact future service delivery.
The City of London's urban environment and lower levels of deprivation may help in attracting staff, but the high cost of living could be a barrier. Ensuring that care providers are supported in their staffing needs is essential to maintain the quality of care.
The care provider situation in the City of London is marked by a small number of providers but high-quality services. Staffing challenges exist but are somewhat less severe than the national average. Population growth may increase demand for services, so careful planning is needed to ensure that care provision meets future needs.
✨ ✅ ❌Historically, hospital delays have been due in large part, to the inability to discharge patients into social care. We no longer have DTOC data, but we can still look at the number of hospital delays and the number of facilities requiring improvement.
CQC, as the regulator of health and social care services in England, is beginning to rate Local Authorities on their social care provision. Understanding the CQC rating of a local authority should be used as the most official evaluation of service care provision. For example, a low rating may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high rating may suggest that existing services are effective.
Hospital delays can have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes, and are in large part the result of not having invested sufficiently in social care. Understanding the number of hospital delays in a local authority can be a sympthom of a poorly working social care sector. For example, a high number of hospital delays may indicate a need for improved discharge planning and coordination, not enough places to discharge people to, lack of sufficient staff to assess patients, or a lack of care providers.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
This metric illustrates how long patients are delayed in hospital before being discharged. Higher average delays mean that patients are spending more time in hospital than necessary, which can lead to increased costs, reduced bed availability, and poorer patient outcomes. This also means that the beds are not available for people that might desperately need them for life-saving procedures.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) refers to the time between a patient being declared medically fit for discharge and actually leaving the hospital. Understanding the number of DTOCs in a local authority can help identify precisely where the social care system is failing.
Unfortunately, this dataset is no longer being generated.
Reablement is a short-term service that helps people regain independence and confidence after a period of illness or injury. Understanding the number of people receiving reablement services can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving reablement services may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a low number of people receiving reablement services may suggest that existing services are effective.
Coming soon!
Service user satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of social care services. Understanding service user satisfaction can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of service user satisfaction may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high level of service user satisfaction may suggest that existing services are effective.
It is important to note that the people surveyed are already receiving service care. Notably absent are all the people that are not yet lucky enough to be receiving care.
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 1
Access to information is crucial for people using social care services to navigate the system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for people to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of people finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 13
An ombudsman is a person who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and organisations. The number of cases received and decided by the Ombudsman is important because it provides insight into the volume of complaints about a local authority’s social care services and how effectively these complaints are being addressed. The number of cases received indicates the level of dissatisfaction or systemic issues within a council’s care provision, while the number of cases decided shows how efficiently the Ombudsman is processing and resolving complaints. A large gap between the two may suggest delays in complaint handling, leaving individuals waiting.
It is important to note that contacting the Ombudsman is widely considered a last resort, often discouraged, and sometimes penalised.
This report looks at the quality of care services in the City of London. We will examine different indicators to understand how the City is doing compared to the national average.
The City of London has a small population. In 2023, there were 13,462 people living there, while the average population in England was 377,061. The City is crowded, with 2,975 people per square kilometre. This is more than the England average of 2,468.5. The City has no rural areas, but in England, 34.6% of people live in rural places. The City is less deprived than other areas, with a deprivation score of 6.67, compared to the England average of 5.9.
In 2024, 67.3% of people in the City of London said they were happy with their care and support. This is higher than the national average of 64.7%. Also, 81.5% of people using services in the City felt it was easy to find information about services, compared to 68.2% across England. This shows that people in the City are generally pleased with the care they get and find it easy to get information.
However, the City of London has a higher percentage of delayed discharges from hospital. In November 2024, 19.35% of discharges were delayed, compared to the national average of 12.3%. The average delay was 2.29 days in the City, while the England average was 0.7 days. This may mean that people in the City are staying longer in hospitals because of delays in arranging their care after they leave. This could be due to higher demand or problems in organising services.
All discharges from the City of London were from acceptable trusts. This was 100%, which is better than the national average of 89%. This means that people in the City are being discharged from trusted and approved healthcare providers.
There were 7.43 complaints to the ombudsman per 100,000 people in the City in 2024. This is higher than the national averages of 4.45 and 4.12 for complaints received and decided. Even though satisfaction is high, more people in the City are making formal complaints. This could mean that, while services are good overall, there are specific issues that need attention.
The City of London shows a high level of satisfaction with care services and good access to information. However, the higher rate of delayed discharges and longer delays suggest that there may be challenges in arranging care after hospital stays. The higher number of complaints shows areas where services can improve. Considering the small population and higher density, the City may need to use more resources to manage demand and improve services.
✨ ✅ ❌We need to understand how much money is being spent on social care, and what this provides. First, let’s look at values reported by local authorities.
Gross Current Expenditure (2023-24) captures the total operational cost of services, indicating overall demand and financial commitment. This includes spending on residential and non-residential care, direct payments, and other social care services. Understanding gross expenditure helps assess the scale of social care provision and financial pressures on local authorities.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
This figure reflects the net cost of social care provision to the local authority, indicating the extent of financial support required to meet service demands. Understanding net expenditure helps assess the financial sustainability of social care services and the commitment level of the local authority.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Client Contributions, otherwise known as “Charging”, show the extent to which service users offset costs. Understanding client contributions helps assess the financial burden on individuals and the local authority, highlighting the need for fair and equitable funding mechanisms.
It is important to note that not all local authorities charge for social care services, and that charging can be a barrier to accessing care for some individuals.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Income from NHS reflects external funding and collaboration with the health sector. Understanding NHS contributions helps understand the level of integration between health and social care.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Budget Cuts indicate financial constraints and potential service reductions. Sometimes, budget cuts are explicit, but other times, they aren’t mentioned directly, making tracking this information difficult to access.
As such, this data is not consistently available for all local authorities.
Access Social Care have made a series of Freedom of Information requests about the government’s own assessment of sufficiency of social care funding. The social care sector is in crisis, yet the government refuses to disclose how it determines funding sufficiency. Without transparency, there is little accountability, no independent scrutiny to improve decision-making, and government trust heavily impacted. Evidence from across the sector indicates a severe funding gap, but without open data, meaningful reform remains impossible. True solutions require honesty about the scale of the problem to then work towards a fair and equitable funding model.
The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, and yet they are not making that known.
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This report looks at how much the City of London spends on social care. We compare the spending to national averages. We also consider factors like population size, density, and deprivation levels.
In 2024, the City of London spent £63,096.12 on social care per 100,000 people. The average spending in England was £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means the City of London spends more per person on social care than other areas.
The net total expenditure per 100,000 people in the City of London was £58,096.87 in 2024. The national average was £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. Net expenditure is the spending after taking away income from client contributions and other sources.
People in the City of London contributed £4,999.26 per 100,000 people towards their social care in 2024. The average in England was £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This suggests that residents in the City of London pay less towards their care than those in other areas.
The NHS contributed £2,963.90 per 100,000 people to social care in the City of London. The national average was £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. This lower amount may be due to different funding arrangements in the local area.
The population of the City of London grew from 8,765 in 2019 to 13,462 in 2023. A growing population can lead to higher demand for social care services. The City has a population density of 2,975 people per square kilometre, which is higher than the England average of 2,468.5.
The mean deprivation decile in the City of London was 6.67 in 2019, compared to the England average of 5.9. Higher deciles mean less deprivation. This shows that the City of London is less deprived than many other places. But there is some variation within the area.
The higher spending per person on social care may reflect the challenges of providing services in a busy city. The lower contributions from clients and the NHS mean the local authority pays more for social care.
The rising population and high density can increase the need for social care services. Policy makers may need to plan for this when deciding on resources.
The lower levels of deprivation suggest that most residents may have fewer needs related to deprivation. But some people may still need significant support.
The City of London spends more on social care per person than the national average. This may be due to higher costs in urban areas and a growing population. Understanding these factors is important for planning services and allocating resources.
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