This page provides an overview of social care in Devon, 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: East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon
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: East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon
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 Devon. Understanding the types of care available can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving personal care may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a high number of people receiving respite care may suggest a need for additional support for carers.
ASCFR and SALT Data Tables 2023-24 Sheet T34
In Devon, 18.2% of people have a disability. This is slightly higher than the national average of 17.6%. This means that more people in Devon may need support and services related to disability.
In 2024, there were 7,835 requests for care from people aged 18 to 64 in Devon. This equals 940 requests per 100,000 people. The national rate is higher, at 1,143 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that fewer working-age people in Devon are asking for care compared to other areas.
Devon has a large rural population, with 73.8% living in rural areas, compared to the national average of 34.6%. Rural areas often have fewer services nearby. This might make it harder for people to request care.
In the same year, 5,020 people aged 18 to 64 received care in Devon. This is 602 people per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 532 people per 100,000. This means that a higher number of working-age people are getting care in Devon compared to other places.
Devon is less deprived than many areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.2, while the national average is 5.9. Less deprivation might mean better access to services, so more people receive the care they need.
Different types of care were provided:
Residential care was given to 580 people, which is 69.6 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 60.6 per 100,000. This shows that more people in Devon are using residential care homes.
Community care with a direct payment only was given to 1,315 people, or 157.8 per 100,000. The national rate is 122.2 per 100,000. This suggests that people in Devon prefer to manage their own care with direct payments.
Community care with a council-managed personal budget was provided to 2,660 people, or 319.2 per 100,000. This is also higher than the national average of 266.7 per 100,000. This indicates good access to community care services in Devon.
In 2025, a small number of people requested help with specific issues:
Five people asked for help with care plans, which is 0.6 per 100,000, lower than the national rate of 1.39 per 100,000. Twelve people sought information, which is 1.44 per 100,000, also below the national average of 2.6 per 100,000.
This could mean that people in Devon have fewer problems with their care plans or access to information. It might also reflect good support services that address these needs before they become issues.
The higher percentage of people with disabilities and those receiving care suggests that Devon needs strong care services. The preference for community care and direct payments shows that people value independence and choice.
The lower number of requests for help with issues like care plans and information might indicate effective communication and support from care providers.
Devon's rural nature and lower deprivation levels play a role in these figures. Services need to consider the challenges of reaching people in rural areas. Enhanced transportation and mobile services might help meet needs.
Overall, Devon has a higher rate of disability and people receiving care than the national average. The focus on community-based care reflects the preferences of residents. Service providers should continue to support these choices and address the unique challenges of a rural area.
✨ ✅ ❌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
In Devon, the percentage of older people has been rising from 25.65% in 2019 to 26.08% in 2023. This is higher than the national average, which was around 18.5% during the same period. This means that Devon has more older residents compared to other areas in England.
In 2024, there were 27,050 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Devon. This is a rate of 3,245.71 requests per 100,000 people. The national average was lower, at 2,437.85 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that more older people in Devon are seeking help with care than in other parts of the country.
Also in 2024, 8,700 older people in Devon were receiving care services. This is 1,043.91 people per 100,000, slightly higher than the national average of 1,002.86 per 100,000. Different types of care services show varied usage. For example, 1,035 people received nursing care, which is 124.19 per 100,000, close to the national rate of 121.75 per 100,000. Residential care was provided to 2,945 people, or 353.37 per 100,000, higher than the national rate of 249.93 per 100,000.
Devon is a largely rural area, with 73.81% of its land being rural compared to the national average of 34.6%. The population density is low, with 123.7 people per square kilometre, much less than the national average of 2,468.5. This rural setting may affect how care services are delivered, as reaching people in remote areas can be challenging.
The higher proportion of older people means that Devon may need more care services than other areas. The increased requests for care suggest that there is a growing demand. The county may need to allocate more resources to meet these needs. Providing care in rural areas can be difficult due to distances and fewer healthcare facilities. Planning for transportation and access to services is important.
The slight increase in people receiving care shows that services are being provided, but the high number of requests indicates that more support may be needed. Focusing on community-based care and support can help older people stay in their homes longer, which is often preferred.
Overall, Devon faces unique challenges due to its ageing population and rural nature. Addressing these issues requires careful planning and resource allocation to ensure that older residents receive the care they need.
✨ ✅ ❌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 carers in Devon. We focus on unpaid carers, their social contact, and how easy it is for them to find information about services. We compare Devon to the national averages to see how it differs from the rest of England.
In 2021, Devon had 9,177.5 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 8,203.7 per 100,000. This means more people in Devon are caring for others without pay. This could be because Devon has more older people or because it is a rural area where people rely on family and friends for support.
In 2024, only 23.5% of carers in Devon said they had as much social contact as they wanted. This is less than the national average of 29.3%. Many carers in Devon may feel lonely or isolated. The rural nature of Devon might make it harder for carers to meet others and join community activities.
Even though many carers feel isolated, 60.4% found it easy to get information about services in 2024. This is slightly higher than the national average of 59.3%. This shows that information is available, perhaps through local groups or online resources. Carers can find out about help and support more easily in Devon.
In 2024, some carers in Devon received direct payments. There were 170.4 carers per 100,000 people getting direct payments, more than the national average of 149.9 per 100,000. This means more carers in Devon received money to help them care.
However, fewer carers received information and advice services compared to the national average. In Devon, 184.2 carers per 100,000 received this support, while the national average was 338.7 per 100,000. This suggests that fewer carers in Devon accessed or were offered these services.
Also, only 18.6 carers per 100,000 in Devon received respite care or support involving the person they care for. This is less than the national average of 70.0 per 100,000. Carers may have less chance to take a break from caring in Devon.
The higher number of unpaid carers and less access to respite services might lead to carers feeling more isolated. Devon's rural areas and low population density (123.7 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,468.5 in England) can make it harder to provide services and for carers to meet others.
Even though Devon is less deprived on average (with a mean deprivation decile of 7.2 compared to England's 5.9), there is variation within the county. Some areas may have more needs than others.
Carers in Devon face challenges with social contact and access to some services. There are more unpaid carers, and many feel isolated. Improving support for carers, especially in rural areas, could help reduce loneliness and provide more respite opportunities. This could involve offering more information, advice, and services tailored to the needs of carers in Devon.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Devon has a high number of care providers. In 2024, there are 126 community-based adult social care services in Devon. This is much more than the national average of 63.8 services. There are also 299 residential social care providers in Devon, while the national average is 91 providers. This means that people in Devon have many options for care.
The quality of care in Devon is generally good. Only 10.5% of care providers need improvement or are inadequate. This is better than the national average of 16.8%. So, most care providers in Devon offer good services to people who need care.
The turnover rate of staff in Devon is 26.05%, which is similar to the national rate of 26.1%. This means that about a quarter of staff leave their jobs each year. The vacancy rate in Devon is 7.7%, slightly lower than the national average of 8.4%. This shows that there are many job openings in the care sector.
Many care providers in Devon find it hard to recruit and keep staff. In 2024, 89.5% of providers said that recruiting staff is more challenging or much more challenging. This is higher than the national average of 79.8%. Also, 76.7% of providers said that retaining staff is more challenging, compared to 68.1% nationally. This means that staffing is a big concern in Devon.
Devon is a rural area. In 2011, 73.8% of Devon was rural, while the national average was 34.6%. The population density in Devon is low, with 123.7 people per square kilometre. The national average is much higher at 2468.5 people per square kilometre. Because of this, there are fewer people to work in care jobs, and services are spread out.
Travel can be difficult in rural areas. Staff may have to travel long distances to reach people who need care. This can make care jobs less attractive, leading to difficulties in recruiting and keeping staff.
The high number of care providers in Devon is positive, offering many choices for people in need of care. However, staffing challenges may affect the quality and availability of services. If care providers cannot find enough staff, they may not be able to support everyone who needs help.
Addressing staffing issues is important. This could involve improving transport options, offering training, or providing incentives for people to work in care jobs in rural areas.
Devon has many care providers and offers good quality services. However, there are significant challenges in recruiting and retaining staff. These challenges are linked to Devon's rural nature and low population density. It is important to find solutions to these issues to ensure that care services can continue to support the people who need them.
✨ ✅ ❌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 analysis looks at care and support services in Devon for the year 2024, focusing on key quality improvement indicators.
In November 2024, nearly all patients in Devon were discharged from acceptable trusts. The rate was 99.95%, higher than the national average of 89%. This means people in Devon are mostly receiving care from approved providers. However, 14.89% of these discharges were delayed, which is more than the national average of 12.3%. Delays might happen because Devon is mostly rural, making it harder to arrange follow-up care quickly.
The average delay for discharges in Devon was 0.77 days, slightly more than the national average of 0.7 days. While the difference is small, it may affect patients waiting to go home or move to another care setting.
In 2024, 72.1% of people in Devon said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is higher than the national average of 64.7%. This shows that many people in Devon feel positive about the services they receive. But another survey reported that 57% of people were dissatisfied with social care. This difference suggests that experiences may vary, and there might be areas needing attention.
About 66.2% of people using services in Devon found it easy to get information about services. This is slightly less than the national average of 68.2%. This means some people might have trouble finding the help they need, especially in remote areas.
Devon had 3.48 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people and 3.36 complaints decided per 100,000 people. These numbers are lower than the national averages of 4.45 and 4.12. Fewer complaints might mean that people are more satisfied with services, or problems are being solved locally.
Devon has a growing population, reaching 833,408 in 2023, which is more than double the average local authority population in England. It is also largely rural, with 73.8% of the area being rural compared to 34.6% nationally. The population density is low, with 123.7 people per square kilometre, much less than the national average of 2,468.5. Devon has a mean deprivation decile of around 6 to 7.2, higher than the national mean of 5.9, indicating lower levels of deprivation overall. These factors can affect how services are delivered and accessed.
Devon shows strong performance in many areas, such as high satisfaction with care and fewer complaints. However, delayed discharges and accessing information are areas that may need improvement. The rural setting and increasing population could be challenges for service delivery. Addressing these issues can help Devon continue to provide quality care and support to its 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.
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Devon spent more on social care per 100,000 people in 2024 than the average in England. This higher spending reflects the unique challenges and needs of the area.
In 2024, Devon's gross total expenditure on social care was £55,881.51 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the England average of £47,758.16. Net total expenditure was £46,395.04 per 100,000 people, also above the national average of £40,471.81.
Clients in Devon contributed £9,486.47 per 100,000 people towards their care. This is more than the England average of £7,286.35. However, NHS contributions were lower in Devon at £3,978.72 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of £7,878.45.
Devon's population has been growing, reaching 833,408 people in 2023. This is larger than the average population in England, which was 377,060.9.
The area is mostly rural, with 123.7 people per square kilometre in 2021. The England average is much higher at 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. Providing services in rural areas can be more expensive due to longer distances and fewer economies of scale.
Devon's mean deprivation decile in 2019 was higher than the England average. A higher decile means less deprivation. This suggests that Devon is less deprived than other areas.
The higher spending on social care in Devon may be due to the rural nature of the area. Delivering care services over large areas can increase costs. The lower NHS contributions may mean that the local authority and clients have to pay more.
Clients in Devon contribute more towards their care than the national average. This could be due to higher costs or policies requiring larger contributions from clients.
Devon's higher spending on social care per person reflects the challenges of providing services in a rural area with a growing population. The lower NHS contributions and higher client contributions suggest funding pressures. Understanding these factors is important for planning and resource allocation in social care.
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