This page provides an overview of social care in Dorset, 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.
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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 Dorset. 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 Dorset, the proportion of disabled people is 17.6%. This is the same as the national average of 17.6%. It means that Dorset has a similar level of disability as the rest of England.
In 2024, there were 4,765 requests for care from people of working age in Dorset. This equals 1,238.28 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is 1,143.48 requests per 100,000 people. Dorset has more requests for care than the average.
This higher number may be due to Dorset's rural nature. With 73% of the area being rural, people might have more difficulties accessing services. The population density is 152.4 people per square kilometre, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5. This spread-out population might lead to increased needs for support.
In the same year, 1,685 people aged 18 to 64 received care in Dorset. This is 437.88 people per 100,000. The national average is higher, at 532.68 people per 100,000. Fewer people are receiving care in Dorset compared to the rest of the country.
This lower number might suggest unmet needs. Rural areas can face challenges in delivering services. Even though more people are asking for care, fewer are getting it. This could be because of difficulties in reaching people or limited resources.
The types of care received by people aged 18 to 64 in Dorset are as follows:
Nursing Care: 20 people received nursing care, which is 5.2 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 13.75 per 100,000.
Residential Care: 185 people were in residential care, equal to 48.08 per 100,000. This is also less than the national average of 60.61 per 100,000.
Direct Payment Only: 355 people received direct payments for community care, which is 92.25 per 100,000. The national average is higher at 122.17 per 100,000.
Part Direct Payment: 250 people had part direct payments, equal to 64.97 per 100,000. This is higher than the national average of 47.95 per 100,000.
Council-Managed Personal Budget: 870 people used a council-managed personal budget, which is 226.09 per 100,000. The national average is 266.67 per 100,000.
These figures show that Dorset provides less nursing and residential care than average. More people use part direct payments, which may indicate a preference for flexibility in managing their care.
In 2025, people in Dorset requested help with various services:
Assessments: 11 people asked for help with assessments, which is 2.86 per 100,000. The national average is 1.72 per 100,000.
Charging: 41 people needed help with charging, equal to 10.65 per 100,000. This is higher than the national average of 5.72 per 100,000.
Information Seeking: 18 people sought information, which is 4.68 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 2.6 per 100,000.
These higher numbers suggest that people in Dorset may need more support understanding and accessing services. Providing clearer information and assistance could help meet these needs.
Dorset is notably rural, with 73% of its area classified as such, compared to the national average of 34.6%. This rural setting can impact how services are delivered and accessed. Lower population density might make it harder for people to reach services or for services to reach them.
The mean deprivation decile in Dorset is 6.5, which is higher than the national average of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. Even so, there may still be pockets of need that are not being met, especially in remote areas.
Dorset has the same proportion of disabled people as the national average. However, more people are requesting care, and fewer are receiving it. The rural nature of Dorset may contribute to these challenges. There is a need to improve access to services and provide more support for disabled people. Addressing these issues can help ensure that everyone receives the care they need.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Dorset has a growing number of older residents. From 2019 to 2023, the proportion of people aged 65 and over increased from 29.12% to 30.39%. This is much higher than the national average, which stayed around 18.5%. The total population of Dorset also grew from 377,699 in 2019 to 384,809 in 2023.
Dorset is mostly rural, with over 73% of its area being countryside. This is much higher than the England average of 34.6%. The population density is low, with 152 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,469. Dorset is also less deprived than many areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.5, while the England average is 5.9. This means that Dorset is generally better off than other places.
In 2024, there were 14,150 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Dorset. This is 3,677 requests per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 2,438 per 100,000. The higher number of requests might be because Dorset has more older people who need help. It could also mean that people in Dorset are more likely to ask for support.
In the same year, 3,720 older people in Dorset were receiving care services. This is 967 people per 100,000, which is slightly less than the England average of 1,003 per 100,000. The lower number of people receiving care, despite higher requests, might mean that not everyone is getting the help they need.
Looking at types of care, Dorset had more people in residential care, with 325 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 250 per 100,000. However, fewer people were in nursing care, with 97 per 100,000 in Dorset and 122 per 100,000 nationally. Fewer people in Dorset were receiving community care through local authority managed personal budgets, at 465 per 100,000 compared to 508 per 100,000 nationally. This might suggest that more people in Dorset prefer or need residential care over other types.
The increasing number of older people and higher requests for care in Dorset suggest that demand for services is growing. The rural nature of the county may make it harder to deliver services, as people live further apart. Lower population density can mean it takes longer and costs more to reach everyone who needs help.
The fact that fewer people are receiving care than the national average could mean there are gaps in service provision. This might be due to challenges in delivering care in rural areas or a shortage of resources. It might also reflect personal choices or differences in how services are provided.
Dorset's ageing population and higher demand for care services highlight the need for careful planning. Service providers may need to look at ways to improve access to care, especially in rural areas. This could include offering more community-based services or finding new ways to reach people in remote locations. Policymakers should consider these factors to ensure that older residents in Dorset receive the support 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
In 2021, Dorset had more unpaid carers than the national average. There were 9,314 unpaid carers per 100,000 people in Dorset, while the national average was 8,204 per 100,000. This means many people in Dorset are caring for family or friends without pay. This could be because Dorset has more older people who need care.
By 2024, only 26.9% of carers in Dorset said they had as much social contact as they wanted. The national average was 29.3%. This lower percentage might be due to Dorset being a rural area. About 73% of Dorset is rural, compared to the national average of 34.6%. With fewer people living close together, carers might feel more isolated.
Dorset provides a lot of information and advice to carers. In 2024, 2,035 carers per 100,000 people received information and advice services. The national average was 339 per 100,000. This shows that Dorset is helping carers find the services they need. Also, 61.6% of carers in Dorset felt it was easy to find information about services, higher than the national average of 59.3%. This suggests that the support systems in place are effective.
Fewer carers in Dorset receive no direct support. Only 36 carers per 100,000 got no direct support, compared to 130 per 100,000 nationally. This is positive because more carers are getting help. Dorset has fewer carers receiving direct payments (69 per 100,000) than the national average (150 per 100,000). However, more carers receive managed personal budgets from the council (96 per 100,000) compared to the national average (66 per 100,000). This means the council is actively managing support for carers.
Dorset's population density is low, with 152 people per square kilometre, while the national average is 2,469. This low density can make it harder for carers to meet others and get support. Despite this, Dorset is less deprived than other areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.5 compared to the national average of 5.9. This might help in providing better services to carers.
In summary, Dorset has many unpaid carers who may feel isolated due to the rural nature of the area. However, the county offers strong support through information and advice services. More carers find it easy to access information in Dorset than in other parts of the country. Policymakers might focus on creating more opportunities for social contact among carers to help reduce feelings of isolation.
✨ ✅ ❌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 2024, Dorset has 65 community-based adult social care services and 108 residential social care providers. These numbers are slightly above the national averages of 63.8 and 91, respectively. This suggests that Dorset has a good supply of care providers compared to other areas. A higher number of providers may mean better access to care for residents.
The proportion of care providers in Dorset needing improvement or rated as inadequate is 7.47%. This is much lower than the national average of 16.8%. This indicates that the quality of care in Dorset is generally high. Residents are likely receiving better services than in many other parts of the country.
Despite the high quality of care, Dorset faces challenges in recruiting and retaining staff. In 2024, 89.45% of care providers in Dorset found recruiting staff more challenging or much more challenging. This is higher than the regional average of 79.8%. Additionally, 76.68% reported difficulties in retaining staff, compared to 68.1% regionally. These challenges could be due to Dorset's rural nature, making it harder to attract workers.
The vacancy rate for care providers in Dorset is 7.84% for 2023/24, slightly below the national average of 8.4%. The turnover rate is 26.05%, close to the national average of 26.1%. While vacancies are slightly lower, the turnover rate shows that many staff are leaving their jobs each year. This can affect the continuity of care for residents.
Dorset's population has grown from 377,699 in 2019 to 384,809 in 2023, which is slightly above the England mean. However, the population density is low, with 152.4 residents per square kilometre compared to the national average of 2,468.5. With over 73% of the area being rural, services may be spread out, making it harder for staff and residents to travel.
Dorset is less deprived than other areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.5, higher than the national mean of 5.9. This means that Dorset is generally more affluent. Less deprivation can lead to better facilities and resources for care providers.
The high number and quality of care providers in Dorset are positive signs for residents. However, staffing challenges may threaten this. The rural nature of Dorset might make it less attractive for potential care workers. To maintain high-quality services, efforts may be needed to recruit and retain staff. This could include offering incentives or improving transport links.
Policy makers might consider investing in training programs to help local people enter the care profession. Addressing the staffing issues is important to ensure that residents continue to receive good care.
Dorset has a strong network of care providers offering high-quality services. While vacancy rates are slightly better than average, the challenges in staffing are significant. By understanding and addressing these challenges, Dorset can continue to provide excellent care for its residents.
✨ ✅ ❌Historically, hospital delays have been due in large part, to the inability to discharge patients into social care. We no longer have DTOC data, but we can still look at the number of hospital delays and the number of facilities requiring improvement.
CQC, as the regulator of health and social care services in England, is beginning to rate Local Authorities on their social care provision. Understanding the CQC rating of a local authority should be used as the most official evaluation of service care provision. For example, a low rating may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high rating may suggest that existing services are effective.
Hospital delays can have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes, and are in large part the result of not having invested sufficiently in social care. Understanding the number of hospital delays in a local authority can be a sympthom of a poorly working social care sector. For example, a high number of hospital delays may indicate a need for improved discharge planning and coordination, not enough places to discharge people to, lack of sufficient staff to assess patients, or a lack of care providers.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
This metric illustrates how long patients are delayed in hospital before being discharged. Higher average delays mean that patients are spending more time in hospital than necessary, which can lead to increased costs, reduced bed availability, and poorer patient outcomes. This also means that the beds are not available for people that might desperately need them for life-saving procedures.
Discharge-Ready-Date-monthly-data-webfile-November-2024, Tab UTLA Acceptable
Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) refers to the time between a patient being declared medically fit for discharge and actually leaving the hospital. Understanding the number of DTOCs in a local authority can help identify precisely where the social care system is failing.
Unfortunately, this dataset is no longer being generated.
Reablement is a short-term service that helps people regain independence and confidence after a period of illness or injury. Understanding the number of people receiving reablement services can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people receiving reablement services may indicate a need for more support with daily living activities, while a low number of people receiving reablement services may suggest that existing services are effective.
Coming soon!
Service user satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of social care services. Understanding service user satisfaction can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of service user satisfaction may indicate a need for improved service delivery, while a high level of service user satisfaction may suggest that existing services are effective.
It is important to note that the people surveyed are already receiving service care. Notably absent are all the people that are not yet lucky enough to be receiving care.
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 1
Access to information is crucial for people using social care services to navigate the system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for people to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of people finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of people finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, question 13
An ombudsman is a person who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and organisations. The number of cases received and decided by the Ombudsman is important because it provides insight into the volume of complaints about a local authority’s social care services and how effectively these complaints are being addressed. The number of cases received indicates the level of dissatisfaction or systemic issues within a council’s care provision, while the number of cases decided shows how efficiently the Ombudsman is processing and resolving complaints. A large gap between the two may suggest delays in complaint handling, leaving individuals waiting.
It is important to note that contacting the Ombudsman is widely considered a last resort, often discouraged, and sometimes penalised.
Dorset is a largely rural county with a population of 384,809 in 2023, slightly above the England average. The population density is much lower than the national figure, with 152.4 people per square kilometre in 2021 compared to 2,468.5 across England. This rural setting influences how services are accessed and delivered.
In November 2024, Dorset had 100 discharges from acceptable trusts, higher than the national average of 89. This suggests that Dorset's healthcare services are effectively managing patient care. However, 13.17% of these discharges were delayed, slightly above the national average of 12.3%. The average delay per discharge was 1.19 days in Dorset, compared to 0.7 days nationally. The longer delays may be due to challenges in coordinating post-hospital care in rural areas.
In 2024, 66% of respondents in Dorset were satisfied with their care and support, higher than the national average of 64.7%. This indicates that most people in Dorset feel positive about the services they receive. However, another source reported that 57% expressed dissatisfaction with social care. This contrast suggests that while many are satisfied, there are areas needing attention to improve overall satisfaction.
About 71% of service users in Dorset found it easy to access information about services in 2024, compared to 68.2% across England. This indicates that Dorset is performing well in making information available, which is important in rural areas where services may be spread out.
In 2024, Dorset had 4.16 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people, slightly below the national rate of 4.45. The number of complaints decided was 3.38 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.12 nationally. Fewer complaints may indicate higher satisfaction or effective local resolution of issues before they reach the ombudsman.
Dorset's mean deprivation decile in 2019 was 6.5, slightly higher than the England average of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation, suggesting Dorset is less deprived than many areas. The county is highly rural, with 73.29% of areas classified as rural in 2011, compared to 34.6% nationally. Rural communities often face challenges like limited access to services, which can impact satisfaction and service delivery.
Dorset shows strengths in customer satisfaction and access to information. The higher number of discharges suggests effective healthcare services, but the slightly higher percentage of delayed discharges and longer average delays point to areas for improvement. The rural nature of Dorset may contribute to these challenges, affecting transport and coordination of care. Understanding these factors is important for planning services and allocating resources to meet the needs of Dorset's population.
✨ ✅ ❌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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Dorset spends £50,286.51 per 100,000 people on social care. This is more than the England average of £47,758.16. This means Dorset invests more in social care than other areas. Providing care in Dorset might cost more because many people live in rural areas.
The net total expenditure in Dorset is £40,430.19 per 100,000 people. This is close to the England average of £40,471.81. The net expenditure is what the council spends after getting money from clients and other sources.
Clients in Dorset contribute £9,856.32 per 100,000 people towards their care. This is higher than the England average of £7,286.35. People in Dorset might pay more because they have higher incomes. Dorset has a higher mean deprivation decile of 6.5 compared to the England average of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation, so people might have more money to contribute.
The NHS contributes £8,525.01 per 100,000 people in Dorset. This is more than the England average of £7,878.45. Dorset might have good partnerships between health and social care services. This could help get more NHS funding for social care.
Dorset is a rural area. About 73% of Dorset is rural, compared to 34.6% for England on average. There are 152.4 people per square kilometre in Dorset, while England has 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. This means people in Dorset live farther apart. Providing services in rural areas can cost more because of travel and distance.
The population of Dorset is growing. In 2023, Dorset had 384,809 people, which is more than the England average of 377,060.9. An increasing population can lead to more demand for social care services. Planning for this growth is important to meet people's needs.
Spending more on social care helps Dorset support its residents. Higher contributions from clients show that people are able to pay more towards their care. More NHS funding can improve services. The rural nature of Dorset brings challenges, but also means that services need to be adjusted to fit the area.
Overall, Dorset's spending on social care reflects its unique situation. By investing in social care, Dorset aims to provide good support for its population, now and in the future.
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