This page provides an overview of social care in Cumberland, 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.
NULLDeprivation 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.
NULLDeprivation 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 Cumberland. 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
This report looks at care services for disabled people aged 18 to 64 in Cumberland. It focuses on the number of people asking for care and those receiving services in 2024, compared to national averages.
In 2024, 2,890 people aged 18 to 64 asked for care services in Cumberland. This is about 1,043.8 people per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, at 1,143.48 per 100,000. This means fewer people in Cumberland are requesting care compared to the rest of the country.
In the same year, 1,300 people aged 18 to 64 received care services in Cumberland. This is 469.5 people per 100,000, which is less than the national average of 532.68 per 100,000. This shows that fewer people are getting care services in Cumberland than in other areas.
The care services provided include nursing care, residential care, and community care. In Cumberland, 20 people received nursing care, and 135 people got residential care. Community care with direct payments was given to 195 people, and 145 people received community care with part direct payments. A larger group, 800 people, got community care through a personal budget managed by the council. Only 10 people received community care through council-commissioned support.
Compared to national averages, Cumberland has fewer people receiving nursing and residential care. For example, 7.2 people per 100,000 received nursing care in Cumberland, while the national average is 13.75 per 100,000. In residential care, the rate is 48.8 per 100,000, compared to 60.61 per 100,000 nationally.
In community care with direct payments only, Cumberland's rate is 70.4 per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of 122.17 per 100,000. For community care with part direct payments, the rate is slightly higher in Cumberland at 52.4 per 100,000, compared to 47.95 per 100,000 nationally. The rate for community care through a council-managed personal budget is 288.9 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 266.67 per 100,000.
The population of Cumberland has been growing, from 273,009 in 2019 to 276,876 in 2023. Even with more people, the number of those asking for and receiving care services is lower than the national average. This might mean that some people are not accessing the care they need.
The lower number of requests for care could be due to several reasons. People might not know about the services available, or there could be barriers to accessing care. It is important to understand why fewer people are asking for help.
The reliance on council-managed personal budgets suggests that the council is playing a key role in providing support. Increasing awareness of direct payment options might give people more choice and control over their care.
In summary, fewer disabled people aged 18 to 64 in Cumberland are requesting and receiving care services compared to national averages. Investigating the reasons behind this can help improve service delivery and ensure that those in need receive appropriate support.
✨ ✅ ❌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
This report examines data on older people in Cumberland, focusing on the years 2019 to 2024. It looks at the proportion of older residents and their use of care services, comparing Cumberland's figures with national averages.
Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of older people in Cumberland increased from 22.85% to 23.85%. This shows a steady rise in the number of older residents. In comparison, the national average stayed around 18.5% during the same period. Cumberland's higher percentage suggests that it has an aging population.
In 2024, there were 6,270 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Cumberland. This is 2,264.55 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, at 2,437.85 requests per 100,000 people. This lower rate in Cumberland might mean that older residents need less care support or that they have more informal help from family and friends.
Also in 2024, 3,170 older people in Cumberland were receiving care services. This amounts to 1,144.92 people per 100,000, which is above the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. This indicates that many older residents are accessing care, possibly due to the higher proportion of elderly people in the area.
The types of care services used by older people in Cumberland vary:
Residential Care: 1,135 people were in residential care homes. This is 409.93 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 249.93 per 100,000. This suggests a greater reliance on residential care in Cumberland.
Nursing Care: 220 people received nursing care, equating to 79.46 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 121.75 per 100,000, which might mean fewer older residents need intensive medical care.
Community Care - Direct Payments Only: 75 people used direct payments to manage their own care. This is 27.09 per 100,000 people, below the national average of 55.44 per 100,000. This could suggest that fewer residents are choosing to arrange their own care services.
Community Care - Part Direct Payments: 85 people used part direct payments, which is 30.70 per 100,000 people. This is slightly above the national average of 22.13 per 100,000, indicating some interest in mixed payment options.
Community Care - Council Managed Personal Budget: 1,420 people received care through a council-managed personal budget. This is 512.87 per 100,000 people, similar to the national average of 507.92 per 100,000. This suggests that many residents rely on the council to arrange their care services.
Community Care - Council Commissioned Support Only: 230 people received support arranged entirely by the council, amounting to 83.07 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 137.20 per 100,000, which might indicate less dependence on this type of support.
The increasing number of older people in Cumberland means there may be a higher demand for care services in the future. The preference for residential care suggests that more facilities might be needed. Encouraging the use of community care and direct payments could help older people stay in their homes longer and reduce pressure on residential care homes.
The lower number of requests for care compared to the national average might mean that some needs are not being met or that people are not aware of the services available. Raising awareness about care options could help support more older residents.
Cumberland has a growing older population that is higher than the national average. While fewer older people are requesting care, a higher proportion are receiving services, especially residential care. To meet the needs of its aging population, Cumberland may need to invest in more care services and promote alternative care options to support older people in 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
This report looks at the situation of carers in Cumberland, using data from 2021 and 2024. We explore the number of unpaid carers, their social contact, the support they receive, and how easy they find it to get information about services.
In 2021, Cumberland had 9,024 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 8,204 carers per 100,000 people. With a population of 273,788 in 2021, this means there were about 24,700 unpaid carers in Cumberland. The higher number of carers might be due to an older population, leading more people to need care. It could also be because of strong family ties, with more people caring for relatives at home.
In 2024, 36% of carers in Cumberland said they had as much social contact as they would like. This is higher than the national average of 29.3%. Despite many carers not receiving direct support, they seem to have better social connections. This might be due to close communities or local groups that help carers feel less isolated.
Many carers in Cumberland do not receive direct support. In 2024, 1,338 carers per 100,000 people received no direct support, much higher than the national average of 130 per 100,000. Fewer carers received direct payments, with only 45 per 100,000 in Cumberland compared to 150 per 100,000 nationally. This suggests that carers in Cumberland are less likely to get financial help or personal budgets.
However, more carers received information and advice services. In Cumberland, 365 carers per 100,000 accessed these services, slightly more than the national average of 339 per 100,000. This shows that while they may not get direct support, carers are being informed about available services.
In 2024, 59.9% of carers in Cumberland felt it was easy to find information about services. This is slightly higher than the national average of 59.3%. This means that carers know where to get help, but the support they need might not be available or accessible.
Cumberland has more unpaid carers than average, and many do not receive direct support. Yet, carers report better social contact and find it easier to get information. This suggests strong community networks and good information services. However, the lack of direct support highlights a need for better resources and policies to help carers.
By offering more direct support, such as financial aid or respite care, carers can be better assisted. This could improve their wellbeing and allow them to continue caring for their loved ones. Addressing this gap is important for the health of carers and those they look after.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Cumberland, the number and quality of care providers are important for the community. This analysis looks at the number of care providers, their quality, and staffing challenges. We also consider how the population size may affect these factors.
Cumberland has 38 community-based adult social care services. This number is lower than the national average of 63.8 services. For residential social care, there are 81 providers in Cumberland, which is close to the national average of 91 providers.
The lower number of community-based services might mean that people in Cumberland have fewer options for care at home or in the community. This could affect how people receive support and may lead to more demand on residential services.
Only 10.8% of care providers in Cumberland need improvement or are inadequate. This is better than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that most care providers in Cumberland meet good standards. People using these services may receive better care.
Staff turnover rate in Cumberland is 25.4%, which is the same as the regional average in the North West. This means that one in four staff members leave each year. Keeping staff is challenging, with 69.5% of providers finding it more challenging or much more challenging to retain staff. This is slightly higher than the regional average of 68.1%.
The vacancy rate is 8.3%, just below the regional average of 8.4%. This means that there are unfilled positions in care services. Recruiting new staff is difficult, with 81.3% of providers saying it is more challenging or much more challenging. This is slightly higher than the regional average of 79.8%.
These staffing challenges may affect the quality of care. If there are not enough staff, or if staff change often, it can be hard to provide consistent care.
The population of Cumberland has grown slightly from 273,009 in 2019 to 276,876 in 2023. This is a small increase compared to the national average population size. The growing population may lead to more demand for care services.
With fewer community-based care providers, and an increasing population, there may be more pressure on residential care services. This may also put more strain on staffing needs.
Cumberland has better quality care providers compared to the national average. However, the lower number of community-based services and staffing challenges may affect service delivery. It is important to address recruitment and retention of staff to ensure good care continues.
Policy makers may need to focus on supporting community-based services. This could help people receive care at home, reducing demand on residential services. Improving working conditions and offering training may help retain staff.
Overall, Cumberland has good quality care providers, but faces challenges with staffing and the number of community-based services. Addressing these issues can help improve care for the growing population.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
We examine various indicators of quality improvement in Cumberland, comparing them with national averages to understand the local performance in health and social care services.
In November 2024, Cumberland had 15.91 discharges from acceptable trusts per 100,000 people. This is much lower than the national average of 89 per 100,000. The percentage of discharges that were delayed in Cumberland was 3.94%, while the national average stood at 12.3%. The lower number of discharges may reflect a smaller demand for hospital services or efficient community care keeping people out of hospital. The lower delay percentage suggests that when discharges do occur, they are managed efficiently.
The average delay for discharges in Cumberland was 0.41 days in November 2024, compared to the national average of 0.7 days. This indicates that patients in Cumberland spend less time waiting to be discharged, which could lead to better patient experiences and free up hospital beds more quickly.
In 2024, 70.4% of respondents in Cumberland said they were satisfied with their care and support, higher than the national average of 64.7%. Another source reported a dissatisfaction rate of 57% in Cumberland, but without a national figure for comparison. The higher satisfaction could be linked to efficient services and shorter delays. However, the presence of a significant dissatisfaction rate suggests that not all needs are being met.
About 63.4% of people using services in Cumberland felt it was easy to find information in 2024, below the national average of 68.2%. This suggests that residents might face challenges in accessing information about available services, which could affect their ability to receive timely support.
In 2024, the number of complaints received and decided by the ombudsman in Cumberland was 2.167 per 100,000 people for both, lower than the national averages of 4.45 and 4.12 per 100,000 respectively. This could indicate that fewer people are experiencing issues with services, or it might reflect lower awareness of the complaints process.
Cumberland's population grew from 273,009 in 2019 to 276,876 in 2023. This steady increase is slightly below the national average population size. The growing population may lead to higher demand for services in the future, requiring planning to maintain service quality.
The low average delay in discharges and high satisfaction rates suggest effective service delivery in Cumberland. The low percentage of delayed discharges indicates efficient processes, which may enhance patient satisfaction. However, the low number of discharges from acceptable trusts could mean fewer people are accessing these services, possibly due to demographics or availability.
The challenge in finding information about services points to a need for better communication strategies. Improving access to information could help residents make informed decisions and increase satisfaction further.
Cumberland appears to manage health and social care services effectively, with positive outcomes in discharge management and satisfaction. However, attention should be given to improving information accessibility and preparing for increased demand due to population growth. Ensuring residents know how to raise concerns can also help address potential issues promptly.
Overall, maintaining efficient services while addressing areas for improvement will be key to sustaining quality in Cumberland's health and social care sectors.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Cumberland spends on social care. It compares Cumberland's spending to the national average. It also considers the population size and how it might affect social care needs.
Cumberland's gross total expenditure on social care is £47,884.56 for every 100,000 people. The national average is £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means Cumberland spends slightly more than the average on social care before any income is counted.
After taking away income from clients and the NHS, Cumberland's net total expenditure is £38,958.77 per 100,000 people. The national average net expenditure is £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. This shows that Cumberland spends less than the average from its own budget on social care after income is deducted.
Clients in Cumberland contribute £8,925.78 per 100,000 people towards their care. The national average is £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This means that people using social care services in Cumberland pay more towards their care than in other areas.
The NHS contributes £12,162.32 per 100,000 people to social care in Cumberland. The national average NHS contribution is £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. This indicates that Cumberland receives more support from the NHS for social care than other regions.
Cumberland's population has been growing slowly. In 2019, there were 273,009 people. By 2023, the population increased to 276,876. This steady growth means more people might need social care services.
Cumberland's higher gross spending shows a strong commitment to social care. However, its net spending is below the national average. This suggests that Cumberland relies more on income from clients and the NHS. Higher client contributions might make it harder for some people to afford care. The higher NHS contributions could mean better cooperation between health and social care services or a greater need due to health issues.
The growing population may increase demand for social care services. Cumberland might need to plan for more resources to meet this demand. The difference between gross and net spending suggests that the council might be under financial pressure. It might need to find ways to balance its budget without putting too much strain on service users.
Data about budget cuts is not available. It seems the government knows how much money is needed for social care but has not shared this information. This makes it hard for local councils like Cumberland to plan effectively. Policies should focus on ensuring that people can access the care they need without undue financial burden. There may be a need for more transparent funding and support from the government.
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