This page provides an overview of social care in Durham, 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: County Durham
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: County Durham
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 Durham. 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 Durham, 22.4% of people have a disability. This is higher than the national average of 17.6%. This means that Durham has more people with disabilities compared to other areas in the country.
In 2024, there were 10,510 requests for care from working-age people in Durham. This is about 1,963 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is 1,143 requests per 100,000 people. This shows that more people in Durham are asking for care services than in other places.
In Durham, 2,920 people aged 18 to 64 receive care services. This is around 545 people per 100,000 population. The national average is 533 people per 100,000. This means that slightly more people in Durham are getting care compared to the national average.
Different types of care are given to people in Durham. For nursing care, 115 people receive services, which is about 21 per 100,000 people. The national average is 14 per 100,000. For residential care, 380 people are supported, which is 71 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 61 per 100,000. Some types of community care, like direct payments only, are lower in Durham compared to the national average.
In 2025, people in Durham requested help in various areas. For example, 29 people asked for help with charging, which is about 5.4 per 100,000 people, slightly below the national average of 5.7 per 100,000. Fifteen people sought information, which is 2.8 per 100,000, a bit higher than the national average of 2.6 per 100,000. These numbers show that people's needs in Durham are similar to the rest of the country in some areas.
Durham has a population of about 535,587 in 2024, which has been growing over the years. The area is mostly rural, with 74.6% of the land being rural, compared to the national average of 34.6%. The population density is low, with 234.5 people per square kilometre, while the national average is 2,468.5. Durham is also more deprived, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.26, lower than the national average of 5.9.
The higher number of people with disabilities and requests for care in Durham may be due to its rural nature and higher deprivation. Rural areas often have less access to services, and deprivation can lead to more health problems. This means that care services in Durham may need more resources to meet the needs of the population. Policy makers should consider these factors when planning services and allocating funds.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of older people in Durham has been steadily increasing. In 2019, older people made up 21.13% of the population. By 2023, this figure rose to 21.70%. These percentages are higher than the national averages, which ranged from 18.4% to 18.9% during the same period. This means that Durham has a larger share of older residents compared to the country as a whole.
At the same time, Durham's total population has grown from 518,562 in 2019 to 532,182 in 2023. Despite this growth, the proportion of older people has increased, suggesting that the older population is growing faster than other age groups. This trend may lead to greater demand for services that cater to older individuals, such as healthcare, social support, and accessible transportation.
Durham is a predominantly rural area, with 74.63% of its residents living in rural locations, compared to the national average of 34.6%. Rural areas can present challenges for older people, including limited access to services, longer travel times to facilities, and fewer transportation options. These factors may make it harder for older residents to receive the care and support they need.
The level of deprivation in Durham is higher than the national average. The mean deprivation decile for Durham is 4.26, while the national average is 5.9. Lower decile numbers indicate higher levels of deprivation. Higher deprivation can affect health and wellbeing, and may increase the need for support among older people. It may also impact their ability to access services, especially if they face financial difficulties.
The combination of a growing older population, high rurality, and higher deprivation suggests that there may be significant challenges for service delivery in Durham. Services may need to be expanded or adapted to meet the increasing needs of older residents. This could include more mobile services, community outreach programs, and efforts to improve transportation options.
Policymakers and service providers may need to consider these factors when planning for the future. Allocating resources to improve access to healthcare and social support in rural areas could help address some of the challenges faced by older people in Durham. By understanding the specific needs of this population, it is possible to develop targeted strategies that improve their quality of life.
✨ ✅ ❌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 Durham, carers play a vital role in supporting family and friends. This analysis looks at how carers in Durham are doing compared to the rest of England.
In 2024, 35% of carers in Durham said they had as much social contact as they would like. This is higher than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Durham may feel more connected to others. Good community networks and support groups might help carers feel less isolated.
Also in 2024, 72% of carers in Durham felt it was easy to find information about services. Across England, the average was 59.3%. This shows that carers in Durham may find it easier to get the help they need. Clear signposting and good communication from local services might be making a difference.
The number of unpaid carers in Durham is not available. Nationally, there are about 8,204 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. With Durham's population growing from 518,562 in 2019 to 532,182 in 2023, there may be many carers in the area. Understanding how many people are caring for others can help plan services.
Durham is more rural than much of England. In 2011, 74.6% of Durham was rural, compared to 34.6% for England. This rural setting might make it harder for carers to access services and support. Transport links might be less available in rural areas.
Durham is also more deprived than the national average. In 2019, Durham's mean deprivation decile was 4.26, while England's was 5.9. Deprivation can make caring more challenging. Carers might face financial pressures or lack of resources. Support services might need to address these issues.
Durham's population has been growing. With more people, there might be a greater need for carer support services. Planning for this growth can help ensure carers get the help they need.
Carers in Durham report better social contact and easier access to information than the national average. This is positive news. However, rurality and higher deprivation levels suggest challenges remain. Services might need to focus on reaching carers in remote areas. Providing financial and practical support can help carers facing deprivation.
Carers in Durham seem to have better social connections and find it easier to access information than carers elsewhere. This might be due to strong community ties and effective local services. However, Durham's rural nature and higher deprivation levels present challenges. Ongoing support and targeted services are important to meet the needs of carers in Durham.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Durham has a population that has grown from 518,562 in 2019 to 532,182 in 2023. This is larger than the average population size in England. Most of Durham is rural, with 74.6% of the area being countryside, compared to the England average of 34.6%. The population density is low, with 234.5 people per square kilometre, while the England average is 2,468.5. Durham also has higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.26, which is lower than the England average of 5.9.
The proportion of care providers in Durham that need improvement or are inadequate is 9.18%. This is lower than the average of 16.8%. This suggests that the quality of care providers in Durham is better than in many other areas. Even though Durham is more rural and has higher deprivation, care providers are managing to offer good services. This might be due to strong local efforts to maintain high standards in care.
The turnover rate for care staff in Durham is 24.34%, which is similar to the regional average of 24.3%. This means that staff are leaving and being replaced at about the same rate as elsewhere. The vacancy rate in Durham is 6.3%, which is lower than the average of 8.4%. This suggests that, despite some challenges, care providers are filling positions better than in other areas.
A high percentage of care providers in Durham report that it is more challenging or much more challenging to recruit staff. The figure is 82.5%, higher than the average of 79.8%. Similarly, 70.5% find it more challenging to retain staff, compared to the average of 68.1%. These challenges could be due to the rural nature of Durham, making it harder to attract workers to the area. Higher levels of deprivation might also affect recruitment and retention, as there may be fewer local people with the qualifications needed for care work.
The lower vacancy rate, despite the challenges in recruitment, might mean that care providers in Durham are putting extra effort into filling positions. They might be using training programs to develop local talent or offering incentives to attract workers. The good quality of care suggests that these efforts are helping to maintain services.
However, the high levels of deprivation and rural nature of Durham mean that ongoing support might be needed. Policies that focus on training local people for care roles could help. Improving transport links might also make it easier to attract staff from other areas.
Durham faces challenges in recruiting and retaining care staff, but the quality of care remains high. The lower vacancy rates suggest that care providers are finding ways to manage these challenges. Supporting these efforts through targeted policies could help ensure that good quality care continues to be available for the people of Durham.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Durham has shown good performance in care and support services. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Local Authority assessment for 2024/25 gave Durham a score of 67, higher than the national average of 64.7. This "Good" rating means that many people in Durham receive quality care that meets their needs.
In November 2024, almost all patients in Durham were discharged from acceptable trusts without delay. Specifically, 99.8% of discharges happened promptly, compared to 89% nationally. Only 10.4% of discharges in Durham were delayed, which is less than the national rate of 12.3%. When delays did happen, they were shorter in Durham, averaging 0.43 days compared to the national average of 0.7 days. This suggests that hospitals and care providers in Durham work well together to ensure patients leave hospital when ready.
In 2024, 67.9% of people in Durham said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is above the national average of 64.7%. This means that many people feel their needs are being met. However, another survey by NatCen found that 57% of people were dissatisfied with social care. This difference might be due to how the surveys were done or who was asked. It shows that while many are happy with their care, some people still have concerns.
Finding information about services seems easier in Durham. In 2024, 73.1% of people using services felt it was easy to find information, higher than the national average of 68.2%. This suggests that Durham provides good information to help people understand and access the care they need.
In 2024, there were 6.2 ombudsman cases received per 100,000 people in Durham, and 6.0 cases decided per 100,000 people. Both numbers are higher than the national averages of 4.45 and 4.12. This might mean that more people in Durham are raising issues about their care. It could also show that people in Durham are more aware of how to make complaints.
Durham's population has grown from 518,562 in 2019 to 532,182 in 2023, which is higher than the national average population. Despite this, Durham is less densely populated, with 234.5 people per square kilometre compared to 2,468.5 nationally. This means services may cover large rural areas, as 74.6% of Durham is rural compared to 34.6% nationally. Providing services over such areas can be challenging.
Durham also has higher levels of deprivation. Its mean deprivation decile is 4.26, lower than the national average of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This could lead to more demand for services, as people in deprived areas often need more support. The standard deviation of deprivation in Durham is also higher, showing that some areas are more deprived than others.
Durham performs well in areas like timely hospital discharges and providing information about services. However, higher deprivation and a large rural population present challenges. More deprivation can increase the need for services and affect satisfaction levels. The rural nature of Durham means services have to reach people over wider areas, which can be difficult. The higher number of ombudsman cases might indicate that some people's needs are not being fully met, or that they face barriers in accessing services.
Understanding these factors is important for planning services in Durham. Efforts to improve care should consider the impact of deprivation and rurality. By addressing these challenges, Durham can continue to improve the quality of care and support for 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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In 2024, specific figures for Durham's spending on social care are not available. We have national average spending amounts, but Durham's exact spending is not known. This makes it hard to compare Durham directly with the rest of England.
Across England, the average gross total expenditure on social care is £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. The net total expenditure is £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. Clients contribute £7,286.35 per 100,000 people, and the NHS contributes £7,878.45 per 100,000 people.
Durham's population has grown from 518,562 in 2019 to 532,182 in 2023. This is higher than the England average, which was 377,060.9 in 2023. Durham is more rural than many areas, with 74.6% of its landscape being rural. In contrast, only 34.6% of England's landscape is rural.
The population density in Durham is 234.5 people per square kilometre. The average for England is much higher at 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. This shows that Durham is less crowded than other parts of England.
Durham has a mean deprivation decile of 4.26, while the England average is 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This suggests that Durham faces more economic and social challenges than many other areas.
The fact that Durham is more rural and has higher deprivation may increase the need for social care services. Rural areas can have fewer services available, and people may have to travel further to access them. Higher deprivation often leads to greater health and social care needs.
The growing population in Durham may also lead to more demand for social care. More people means more potential users of these services.
Without knowing how much Durham is spending on social care, we cannot tell if funding is keeping up with needs. The statement that "The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, and yet they are not making that known" suggests a lack of transparency.
Durham's unique features, such as its rural nature and higher levels of deprivation, may create special challenges for social care. It is important for decision-makers to consider these factors when planning services. Without clear data on spending, it is hard to assess if resources are sufficient. Greater openness about funding could help ensure that social care meets the needs of all residents in Durham.
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