This page provides an overview of social care in Coventry, along with key metrics that could affect social care. Understanding these metrics is important because they help contextualise the challenges with social care provision in each local authority. These statistics are important to keep in mind when reviewing the other pages.
Why are these metrics important? Population size and density can affect the demand for social care services. For example, if a local authority has a high population (relative to other areas), it may need to allocate more resources to meet care needs. Similarly, areas with high population density may require more care services due to the increased number of people living in close proximity. Inversely, areas with a low population density may have fewer care needs, but residents may face challenges accessing services due to the distance between them. Lastly, people in rural areas might live further away from services, which can impact their ability to access care, or make it more expensive to provide.
Understanding these metrics can help local authorities plan and allocate resources effectively.
Deprivation decile is a measure of the level of deprivation in a local authority. It is calculated by ranking areas in England from 1 (most deprived) to 10 (least deprived) based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A higher decile indicates lower levels of deprivation, while a lower decile suggests higher levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation levels can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Deprivation rank is a measure of the relative deprivation of a local authority compared to other areas in England. It is calculated by ranking areas from 1 (most deprived) to 32,844 (least deprived) Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA), which can be thought of as “small areas”. This rank is based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A lower rank indicates higher levels of deprivation, while a higher rank suggests lower levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation ranks can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Many people want care, some receive care, but a significant number go without. What types of care are being requested? What care is actually provided? This section explores the gap between need and provision, the types of care available, and how our own data contributes to the understanding of these challenges.
Access Social Care and other Helplines providers are working to bridge this gap by providing free legal support to people who are struggling to access social care services. This first chart illustrates the types of calls we are getting.
The rest of this page distingushes between the different types of care provided to Working Age People and Older People, as we are able to disaggregate at a greater level of granularity.
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
This plot shows a breakdown of the types of requests for assistance received by Access Social Care and other helplines. Understanding the themes of these calls can identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to housing may indicate a need for more affordable housing options, while a high number of calls related to social care assessments may suggest a need for improved access to care services. The request types are:
Assessments: An assessment is a meeting or form to find out what help someone needs with daily tasks.
Care Plan: A care plan is a written agreement that lists the support you’ll get and who to contact if things change.
Carers: Carers are people who help a disabled or ill person with daily tasks.
Charging: Charging refers to checking if you can afford to pay for some of your care based on your savings.
Information Seeking: Information seeking means getting advice about available care options.
Legal Issues and Complaints: Legal issues and complaints involve reporting problems with your care to the council or an ombudsman.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is protecting people from abuse or neglect.
Of course, high numbers also mean that people know where to call, and this number can be impacted by advocacy efforts. As a counterpoint, areas with low numbers may indicate a lack of awareness of available services or a need for more outreach to connect people with support.
To protect privacy, our minimum bin size is 5, which means that if we field 1-5 queries on a topic, we display 5.
Are you a helpline and would like to combine data resources? Let us know!
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
Working Age People
Knowing how many people are requesting social care, how many people are recieving care and what percent of people are disabled helps understand need and social care provision at a top level. For example, a high number of people requesting care may indicate a need for additional resources or services, while a low number of people receiving care may suggest a gap in service provision. Understanding these metrics can help identify areas where additional support may be needed.
MW was diagnosed with Functional Chronic Pain, she cannot walk without support, she holds on to her furniture to move around the house. She uses a wheelchair, especially when she goes out, with support from friends and family. She lives on second floor with 5 flights because of the way the building is designed and there is no lift. She never goes out because of the difficulties she experiences with the stairs. She needs help with cooking, cleaning, shopping and showering. She relies on friends and her mum who has knee replacement.
She was referred by the Social Prescriber who referred her onto also referred her to Croydon Adult Support, they told her they are short of staff to allocate her a social worker, so she was placed on a long waiting list. MW case still hadn’t progressed until the Social Prescriber, who had been recently trained on the Care Act, referred her to Access Social Care’s free legal Chatbot letter clinic.
The legal clinic volunteer completed a letter to Croydon Council with MW within a week which was sent to Adult Social Services. Access Social Care then called her after two weeks to complete a follow up survey. MW informed them that she had had an assessment and was waiting to hear back from Croydon following the panel meeting. Social Services has now done the assessment after which the panel offered MW 9 hours of social care support.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
This plot shows the types of care provided to working-age people in Coventry. 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
Coventry faces unique challenges in addressing the needs of its disabled population. With an age-standardised disability proportion of 18.4%, slightly higher than the national average of 17.6%, a significant portion of residents experience disabilities. This analysis explores the patterns of care requests and services among the working-age population, considering Coventry's demographic and socioeconomic context.
The higher disability rate in Coventry may be influenced by several factors. The city's growing population, which increased from 343,715 in 2019 to 360,702 in 2023, and its high population density of 3,500.7 residents per square kilometre, compared to the England average of 2,468.5, suggest a concentrated urban environment. Additionally, Coventry has higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.69, lower than the national mean of 5.9, indicating more deprived conditions. These factors can contribute to a higher prevalence of disability and impact residents' health and well-being.
In 2024, there were 2,765 requests for care from Coventry’s working-age population, equating to 766.56 requests per 100,000 people. This is notably lower than the national average of 1,143.48 requests per 100,000. Despite the higher disability rate, fewer individuals are seeking assistance. This discrepancy might suggest barriers to accessing services, such as lack of awareness, cultural factors, or logistical challenges. It could also indicate that some needs are being met informally or through alternative means outside of official care channels.
The number of people aged 18 to 64 receiving care in Coventry was 1,610 in 2024, representing 446.35 per 100,000 people. This figure is below the national average of 532.68 per 100,000. The lower uptake of care services may point to unmet needs within the community. It raises questions about the accessibility and adequacy of support available to disabled residents, particularly in light of Coventry's higher deprivation levels.
Examining the types of care services reveals contrasting trends. Coventry has higher rates of nursing and residential care than the national averages. Nursing care services are utilised at a rate of 26.34 per 100,000 people, compared to the national mean of 13.75. Similarly, residential care services have a rate of 73.47 per 100,000, exceeding the national average of 60.61. This suggests a reliance on institutional care settings, which may be due to a lack of alternatives or higher levels of need among certain individuals.
In contrast, the use of community-based care services in Coventry is lower than national figures. For community care with direct payment only, the rate is 103.96 per 100,000, below the national average of 122.17. Community care with part direct payment stands at 15.25 per 100,000, significantly less than the national mean of 47.95. These disparities indicate that residents might face obstacles in accessing or utilising community support options, which are often crucial for independent living.
The city's socioeconomic conditions may influence these patterns. Higher deprivation often correlates with increased health challenges and reduced access to services. Coventry's predominantly urban environment, with only 0.75% of the area being rural compared to the national average of 34.6%, might impact the availability of certain types of care. Urban areas can experience strain on services due to higher demand, and residents might encounter difficulties navigating complex systems.
The findings suggest a need for targeted strategies to improve care access and utilisation in Coventry. Enhancing awareness of available services, simplifying application processes, and increasing outreach efforts could encourage more individuals to seek assistance. Expanding community-based care options might reduce reliance on institutional settings, promoting independence and potentially improving quality of life for disabled residents.
Policy initiatives should consider the unique challenges faced by Coventry's population. Investing in social care infrastructure, fostering partnerships with local organisations, and addressing socioeconomic barriers can contribute to more effective support. Tailored approaches that reflect the specific needs and circumstances of the community are likely to yield better outcomes.
Coventry's higher disability prevalence, coupled with lower engagement in care services, underscores the importance of addressing potential gaps in support systems. By understanding the factors influencing these trends, stakeholders can develop interventions that enhance service accessibility and meet the needs of the city's disabled population. Fostering a more inclusive and responsive care environment will be essential for improving the well-being of residents and aligning Coventry's care utilisation with national patterns.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Coventry has been slightly decreasing from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, 14.56% of the population were older people. By 2023, this dropped to 14.11%. This is lower than the national average, which was around 18.5% in the same years.
In 2024, there were 8,010 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Coventry. This is 2,220.67 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, at 2,437.85 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that fewer older people in Coventry are requesting care compared to other areas.
Also in 2024, 3,110 older people in Coventry received care services. This is 862.21 people per 100,000, which is below the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. This could mean that fewer older people in Coventry are getting care services.
Looking at the types of care:
Nursing Care: 345 people received nursing care, which is 95.65 per 100,000 people. The national average is higher at 121.75 per 100,000.
Residential Care: 790 people were in residential care, equal to 219.02 per 100,000 people. The national average is 249.93 per 100,000.
Community Care with Direct Payment Only: 210 people received this type of care, which is 58.22 per 100,000 people. This is close to the national average of 55.44 per 100,000.
Community Care with Managed Personal Budget: 1,740 people received care this way, equal to 482.39 per 100,000 people. The national average is 507.92 per 100,000.
Coventry's population has been growing. In 2019, there were 343,715 people, and by 2023 this increased to 360,702. However, the proportion of older people is less than the national average. Coventry is a densely populated city, with 3,500.7 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5.
Coventry is also more urban and has higher levels of deprivation. The average deprivation decile is 4.69, which is lower than the national average of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This might affect the health and wellbeing of older people.
The lower proportion of older people in Coventry may explain why there are fewer requests for care and fewer people receiving care services. The higher levels of deprivation could impact the need for services, but it's possible that unmet needs exist. The city may need to explore if older people are accessing the care they require.
Service providers might consider these factors when planning resources. Ensuring that older people are aware of and can access care services is important. The growing population and urban setting mean that services must be accessible and meet the needs of the community.
✨ ✅ ❌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, Coventry had 7,959.59 unpaid carers per 100,000 people, slightly below the national average of 8,203.68 per 100,000. With a population of 344,151 in that year, this means there were about 27,386 unpaid carers in Coventry. The slightly lower rate of unpaid carers may relate to Coventry's urban environment and population structure.
Coventry is a densely populated city with 3,500.7 residents per square kilometre, higher than the England average of 2,468.5. This urban setting might affect family structures and support networks, influencing the number of unpaid carers. Additionally, Coventry has a higher level of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.69 compared to the national average of 5.9. Higher deprivation can lead to greater health needs and may impact the capacity of individuals to provide unpaid care.
In 2024, 25.8% of carers in Coventry reported they had as much social contact as they would like, below the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Coventry may feel more socially isolated. Social isolation can affect carers' wellbeing and their ability to continue providing care. The urban environment and deprivation levels might contribute to this issue, as carers may face more stress and have fewer opportunities for social interaction.
When it comes to support services, Coventry had 58.22 direct payments per 100,000 people in 2024, which is lower than the national average of 149.93 per 100,000. Part direct payments were also lower, at 2.77 per 100,000 compared to 44.83 nationally. Carers receiving a council-managed personal budget were 34.65 per 100,000, less than the national average of 65.81. However, Coventry provided information, advice, and universal services to 314.66 per 100,000 people, close to the national average of 338.7 per 100,000.
This indicates that while direct financial support for carers in Coventry is less common than elsewhere, access to general information and advice is similar. The lower rates of direct payments might be due to funding limitations or limited awareness of these options among carers. On the other hand, Coventry had 117.83 per 100,000 carers benefiting from respite or other support involving the cared-for person, which is higher than the national average of 70.01 per 100,000. This suggests a focus on services that support both carers and those they care for.
In terms of accessing information, 60.4% of carers in Coventry felt it was easy to find information about services in 2024, slightly above the national average of 59.3%. This positive result indicates that efforts to provide accessible information are effective. Good access to information can help carers find the support they need and reduce feelings of isolation.
The combined data suggests that carers in Coventry face challenges related to social contact and financial support. The higher deprivation levels and urban environment may contribute to these issues. To improve carers' wellbeing, there may be a need to increase direct support services and initiatives that encourage social interaction. Providing more direct financial assistance could help alleviate some of the pressures carers face.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Coventry is a city with a growing population. In 2023, it had 360,702 people, which is more than in previous years. The city is crowded, with 3,500.7 people per square kilometre. This is higher than the England average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. Coventry is mainly urban, with only 0.75% of its area being rural. In England, the average rural area is 34.6%. Coventry faces higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.69. This is lower than the England average of 5.9, and lower numbers mean more deprivation.
In 2024, Coventry had 81 community-based adult social care providers. This is more than the national average of 63.8 providers. However, it had 72 residential social care providers, which is less than the national average of 91 providers. This suggests that while there are many community care options, there may be fewer residential care places available in Coventry.
A concern is that 29.4% of care providers in Coventry need improvement or are rated inadequate. This is much higher than the national average of 16.8%. This means that many care providers in Coventry have quality issues that need to be addressed.
Staffing is a significant challenge for care providers in Coventry. The vacancy rate is 10.16%, higher than the national average of 8.4%. This means there are many unfilled positions in the care sector. Additionally, 70.26% of care providers find it more challenging to retain staff, slightly more than the national figure of 68.1%. Recruiting new staff is also difficult, with 81.45% finding it more challenging, compared to 79.8% nationally. These staffing problems may affect the quality of care and contribute to the higher number of providers needing improvement.
The higher levels of deprivation in Coventry may increase the demand for care services. People in more deprived areas often have greater care needs. The city's high population density and mainly urban setting can put additional pressure on care services. This may make it harder for providers to meet the needs of residents.
Overall, while Coventry has many community-based care providers, there are issues with quality and staffing. The higher vacancy rates and difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff suggest that more support is needed for the workforce. Improving staffing levels could help raise the quality of care provided. Policymakers and service providers may need to consider offering more funding, training, or incentives to attract and keep qualified staff.
Enhancing care services in Coventry is important to ensure residents receive the support they need. By understanding the links between population growth, urban density, deprivation, and staffing challenges, steps can be taken to improve service delivery. This will help allocate resources effectively and improve the quality of care 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.
Coventry is a city with a growing population, reaching 360,702 people in 2023. It is more densely populated than the England average, with 3,500.7 residents per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5. Coventry is also more deprived, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.69, while the national average is 5.9 (lower numbers indicate more deprivation). These factors influence the demand and delivery of social care services in the city.
In November 2024, Coventry had 99.8 discharges from acceptable trusts, higher than the national average of 89. This suggests that the city is effective in moving patients from hospitals to suitable care settings. However, 18.5% of these discharges were delayed, compared to 12.3% nationally. The average delay was 0.88 units (the unit is not specified), slightly above the national average of 0.7. These delays might be due to higher demand for services or resource limitations, possibly linked to the city's higher deprivation and dense population.
Satisfaction with care and support in Coventry shows mixed results. In 2024, 64.6% of respondents said they were satisfied with their care and support, similar to the national average of 64.7%. However, another source reports that 57% are dissatisfied with social care. This suggests varied experiences among residents, which could be due to differences in service quality across the city. Higher deprivation levels might contribute to these challenges, as some areas may have greater needs that are harder to meet.
Regarding access to information, 65.3% of people using services in Coventry felt it was easy to find information about services, slightly below the national average of 68.2%. Improving access to information could help residents understand and use services more effectively, potentially increasing satisfaction and reducing delays.
Complaints to the ombudsman are lower in Coventry than the national average. There were 2.77 cases received and 2.50 cases decided per 100,000 people, compared to 4.45 and 4.12 nationally. This might indicate higher satisfaction, but it could also mean that residents are less aware of how to make complaints or feel less confident in doing so. The slightly lower ease of finding information might contribute to this issue.
Coventry is almost entirely urban, with only 0.75% of its area being rural, compared to 34.6% for England. Urban areas often have higher demand for services and more complex needs. The city's deprivation varies across different areas, with a standard deviation of 2.68 in deprivation deciles, higher than the national average of 2.3. This means that some parts of Coventry are much more deprived than others, which can affect how services are used and perceived.
In summary, Coventry is performing well in some areas, like facilitating discharges from hospitals. However, it faces challenges with delayed discharges and mixed satisfaction levels. The high population density and higher deprivation may put extra pressure on social care services. Focusing on improving access to information and addressing resource constraints could help enhance service delivery. Policymakers might consider targeting support to the most deprived areas to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for all residents.
✨ ✅ ❌We need to understand how much money is being spent on social care, and what this provides. First, let’s look at values reported by local authorities.
Gross Current Expenditure (2023-24) captures the total operational cost of services, indicating overall demand and financial commitment. This includes spending on residential and non-residential care, direct payments, and other social care services. Understanding gross expenditure helps assess the scale of social care provision and financial pressures on local authorities.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
This figure reflects the net cost of social care provision to the local authority, indicating the extent of financial support required to meet service demands. Understanding net expenditure helps assess the financial sustainability of social care services and the commitment level of the local authority.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Client Contributions, otherwise known as “Charging”, show the extent to which service users offset costs. Understanding client contributions helps assess the financial burden on individuals and the local authority, highlighting the need for fair and equitable funding mechanisms.
It is important to note that not all local authorities charge for social care services, and that charging can be a barrier to accessing care for some individuals.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Income from NHS reflects external funding and collaboration with the health sector. Understanding NHS contributions helps understand the level of integration between health and social care.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Budget Cuts indicate financial constraints and potential service reductions. Sometimes, budget cuts are explicit, but other times, they aren’t mentioned directly, making tracking this information difficult to access.
As such, this data is not consistently available for all local authorities.
Access Social Care have made a series of Freedom of Information requests about the government’s own assessment of sufficiency of social care funding. The social care sector is in crisis, yet the government refuses to disclose how it determines funding sufficiency. Without transparency, there is little accountability, no independent scrutiny to improve decision-making, and government trust heavily impacted. Evidence from across the sector indicates a severe funding gap, but without open data, meaningful reform remains impossible. True solutions require honesty about the scale of the problem to then work towards a fair and equitable funding model.
The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, and yet they are not making that known.
✨ ✅ ❌?
This report looks at how much money is spent on social care in Coventry in 2024. We compare Coventry's spending to the average spending in England.
In 2024, Coventry spent £46,992 per 100,000 people on social care. The average spending in England was £47,758 per 100,000 people. Coventry spends a bit less than the average.
After taking away income and contributions, Coventry's net spending was £41,267 per 100,000 people. The average net spending in England was £40,472 per 100,000 people. This means Coventry spends a little more than the average when we look at net spending.
People in Coventry paid £5,724 per 100,000 people towards their care. The average amount people paid in England was £7,286 per 100,000 people. This shows that people in Coventry pay less towards their care.
The NHS gave £4,576 per 100,000 people to social care in Coventry. The average NHS contribution in England was £7,878 per 100,000 people. This means the NHS gives less money to social care in Coventry than in other places.
Coventry's gross spending is a bit less than average, but its net spending is a bit more. This could be because clients and the NHS contribute less money in Coventry. People in Coventry might pay less towards their care because there are higher levels of deprivation. Coventry's mean deprivation decile is 4.69, lower than England's average of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation.
Coventry is also more urban, with 3,501 people per square kilometre, compared to England's average of 2,469 people per square kilometre. Only 0.75% of Coventry is rural, while the average in England is 34.6% rural. A higher population density and urban setting might increase the need for social care services.
The population in Coventry has been growing, from 343,715 people in 2019 to 360,702 people in 2023. More people can mean there is more demand for social care.
The NHS contributes less to social care in Coventry. This might affect the services available. With less money from the NHS, Coventry may need to use more of its own funds to support social care.
Coventry spends a little less on social care overall, but more when considering net expenditure. Lower contributions from clients and the NHS might be due to higher deprivation and other local factors. The growing population and urban environment may lead to a higher demand for social care services. It is important to understand these factors to plan and allocate resources properly.
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