This page provides an overview of social care in Ealing, along with key metrics that could affect social care. Understanding these metrics is important because they help contextualise the challenges with social care provision in each local authority. These statistics are important to keep in mind when reviewing the other pages.
Why are these metrics important? Population size and density can affect the demand for social care services. For example, if a local authority has a high population (relative to other areas), it may need to allocate more resources to meet care needs. Similarly, areas with high population density may require more care services due to the increased number of people living in close proximity. Inversely, areas with a low population density may have fewer care needs, but residents may face challenges accessing services due to the distance between them. Lastly, people in rural areas might live further away from services, which can impact their ability to access care, or make it more expensive to provide.
Understanding these metrics can help local authorities plan and allocate resources effectively.
Deprivation decile is a measure of the level of deprivation in a local authority. It is calculated by ranking areas in England from 1 (most deprived) to 10 (least deprived) based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A higher decile indicates lower levels of deprivation, while a lower decile suggests higher levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation levels can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Deprivation rank is a measure of the relative deprivation of a local authority compared to other areas in England. It is calculated by ranking areas from 1 (most deprived) to 32,844 (least deprived) Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA), which can be thought of as “small areas”. This rank is based on factors such as income, employment, education, and health. A lower rank indicates higher levels of deprivation, while a higher rank suggests lower levels of deprivation. Understanding deprivation ranks can help local authorities identify areas that may require additional support and resources to address social care needs.
Many people want care, some receive care, but a significant number go without. What types of care are being requested? What care is actually provided? This section explores the gap between need and provision, the types of care available, and how our own data contributes to the understanding of these challenges.
Access Social Care and other Helplines providers are working to bridge this gap by providing free legal support to people who are struggling to access social care services. This first chart illustrates the types of calls we are getting.
The rest of this page distingushes between the different types of care provided to Working Age People and Older People, as we are able to disaggregate at a greater level of granularity.
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
This plot shows a breakdown of the types of requests for assistance received by Access Social Care and other helplines. Understanding the themes of these calls can identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to housing may indicate a need for more affordable housing options, while a high number of calls related to social care assessments may suggest a need for improved access to care services. The request types are:
Assessments: An assessment is a meeting or form to find out what help someone needs with daily tasks.
Care Plan: A care plan is a written agreement that lists the support you’ll get and who to contact if things change.
Carers: Carers are people who help a disabled or ill person with daily tasks.
Charging: Charging refers to checking if you can afford to pay for some of your care based on your savings.
Information Seeking: Information seeking means getting advice about available care options.
Legal Issues and Complaints: Legal issues and complaints involve reporting problems with your care to the council or an ombudsman.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is protecting people from abuse or neglect.
Of course, high numbers also mean that people know where to call, and this number can be impacted by advocacy efforts. As a counterpoint, areas with low numbers may indicate a lack of awareness of available services or a need for more outreach to connect people with support.
To protect privacy, our minimum bin size is 5, which means that if we field 1-5 queries on a topic, we display 5.
Are you a helpline and would like to combine data resources? Let us know!
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
Working Age People
Knowing how many people are requesting social care, how many people are recieving care and what percent of people are disabled helps understand need and social care provision at a top level. For example, a high number of people requesting care may indicate a need for additional resources or services, while a low number of people receiving care may suggest a gap in service provision. Understanding these metrics can help identify areas where additional support may be needed.
MW was diagnosed with Functional Chronic Pain, she cannot walk without support, she holds on to her furniture to move around the house. She uses a wheelchair, especially when she goes out, with support from friends and family. She lives on second floor with 5 flights because of the way the building is designed and there is no lift. She never goes out because of the difficulties she experiences with the stairs. She needs help with cooking, cleaning, shopping and showering. She relies on friends and her mum who has knee replacement.
She was referred by the Social Prescriber who referred her onto also referred her to Croydon Adult Support, they told her they are short of staff to allocate her a social worker, so she was placed on a long waiting list. MW case still hadn’t progressed until the Social Prescriber, who had been recently trained on the Care Act, referred her to Access Social Care’s free legal Chatbot letter clinic.
The legal clinic volunteer completed a letter to Croydon Council with MW within a week which was sent to Adult Social Services. Access Social Care then called her after two weeks to complete a follow up survey. MW informed them that she had had an assessment and was waiting to hear back from Croydon following the panel meeting. Social Services has now done the assessment after which the panel offered MW 9 hours of social care support.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
This plot shows the types of care provided to working-age people in Ealing. 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
Ealing has a disability rate of 14.6%. This means that 14.6% of people in Ealing have a disability. The national average is 17.6%. So, Ealing has a lower rate of disability than the average in England.
In 2024, there were 6,285 requests for care from working-age people in Ealing. This is 1,674.48 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is 1,143.48 requests per 100,000 people. This shows that more working-age people in Ealing are asking for care compared to the rest of the country.
The number of people aged 18 to 64 receiving care in Ealing in 2024 was 1,780. This is 474.24 people per 100,000. The national average is 532.68 people per 100,000. So, fewer people are getting care in Ealing compared to the average.
Among those receiving care, 45 people were in nursing care (11.99 per 100,000), and 195 were in residential care (51.95 per 100,000). These numbers are slightly lower than the national averages of 13.75 and 60.61 per 100,000. There were also 210 people receiving direct payments for community care (55.95 per 100,000), which is much lower than the national average of 122.17 per 100,000. This suggests that fewer people in Ealing are getting direct support to manage their own care.
In 2025, many people in Ealing asked for help. The most common request was for information, with 292 requests (77.8 per 100,000). This is much higher than the national average of 2.6 per 100,000. There were also higher numbers of requests for assessments, care plans, and safeguarding. This means that people in Ealing may need more support to understand and access services.
Ealing is a densely populated area, with 6,611.6 people per square kilometre. The national average is 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. Ealing also has higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation score of 4.8 compared to the national average of 5.9. Higher deprivation can lead to more health and social care needs.
The higher number of care requests but lower number of people receiving care suggests that some needs are not being met. Barriers like long waiting times, lack of services, or difficulties in applying might prevent people from getting care. The high number of information requests shows that people may find it hard to navigate the system.
These findings suggest that Ealing needs to improve access to care services. This could include providing more resources, helping people understand how to get care, and making the process easier. Addressing issues of deprivation could also reduce the demand for care.
In conclusion, while Ealing has a lower percentage of people with disabilities, there is a higher demand for care among working-age people. Fewer people are receiving care compared to the national average. This indicates a gap between the need for care and the services provided. Improving access and support could help meet the needs of people in Ealing.
✨ ✅ ❌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
From 2019 to 2023, the proportion of older people in Ealing has grown slowly. It increased from 11.8% in 2019 to 12.6% in 2023. This shows that more people in Ealing are reaching older age.
However, compared to the national average, Ealing has fewer older people. In England, the average was around 18.5% during the same years. This means Ealing has a younger population than many other areas.
In 2024, there were 6,680 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Ealing. This is about 1,780 requests for every 100,000 people. The national average is higher, with about 2,438 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that fewer older people in Ealing are asking for care services compared to other areas.
Also in 2024, 3,265 older people in Ealing were receiving care. This is about 870 people per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of about 1,003 per 100,000. This could mean that fewer older people in Ealing need care, or they might be getting support from other sources.
Most older people receiving care in Ealing are using community-based services. About 2,560 people are getting care through the council's managed personal budgets. This is much higher than the national average. Fewer people are in nursing or residential care homes. Only 305 people are in nursing care, and 285 are in residential care. These numbers are lower compared to national rates.
This might show that older people in Ealing prefer to stay at home and receive care there. It could also mean that community services are more available or encouraged in Ealing.
In 2025, many older people in Ealing asked for help with assessments and care plans. The rates for these requests are much higher than the national averages. For example, 11.5 people per 100,000 asked for help with assessments, compared to the national rate of 1.72 per 100,000.
This suggests that older people in Ealing may need more support in understanding and accessing care services. It might also show that they are more proactive in seeking help.
Ealing is a densely populated area, with 6,611.6 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5. It is also an urban area with no rural spaces. The area has a higher level of deprivation than the national average. The average deprivation decile is 4.8, lower than the national average of 5.9.
These factors might affect the needs and behaviours of older people in Ealing. The high population density and urban setting could influence the availability of services and support networks.
The analysis shows that Ealing has a growing but smaller proportion of older people compared to the national average. Older people in Ealing are requesting and receiving care at lower rates than in other areas. There is a strong preference for community-based care.
Understanding these trends is important for planning services. The council may need to focus on providing more information and support to help older people access the care they need. Considering the area's urban nature and levels of deprivation, tailored approaches might be necessary to meet the needs of older residents.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Ealing is a bustling urban area with a population of 375,340 in 2023. It has a high population density of 6,611.6 residents per square kilometre, much higher than the England average of 2,468.5. This dense setting may influence the experiences of carers in the community.
In 2021, there were about 6,628 unpaid carers per 100,000 people in Ealing. This is lower than the England average of 8,204 per 100,000. The lower number might suggest fewer people are taking on unpaid caring roles, or it could mean that some carers are not being identified or recorded. Considering Ealing's higher levels of deprivation (mean deprivation decile of 4.8 compared to the England average of 5.9), some carers might be under more pressure and less visible to support services.
In 2024, 29.5% of carers in Ealing reported that they had as much social contact as they would like. This is slightly higher than the England average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers in Ealing feel somewhat more connected socially than carers elsewhere. However, with less than a third feeling satisfied with their social contact, there is room for improvement. The urban environment of Ealing might offer more opportunities for social interaction, but carers may still face challenges in accessing these due to their responsibilities.
Only 46.8% of carers in Ealing felt it was easy to find information about services in 2024. This is lower than the England average of 59.3%. The difficulty in accessing information could be due to a lack of clear communication or resources not reaching those who need them. With Ealing's diverse and densely populated community, information might not be effectively disseminated to all carers.
The types of support that carers receive in Ealing vary. For direct payments, 163.85 carers per 100,000 received direct support, which is higher than the national average of 149.93 per 100,000. This indicates that more carers in Ealing are receiving funds directly to manage their care needs.
However, only 1.33 carers per 100,000 received part direct payments, much lower than the national average of 44.83. Additionally, there is no data for carers receiving a local authority managed personal budget in Ealing, while the national average is 65.81 per 100,000. This gap suggests that some forms of support common elsewhere are not as accessible or utilised in Ealing.
For commissioned support only, 11.99 carers per 100,000 in Ealing received this type of assistance, compared to the national average of 101.84. This shows that fewer carers are accessing services solely arranged by the council.
Information and advice services reached 23.98 carers per 100,000 in Ealing, which is lower than the national average of 338.7. This could explain why carers find it harder to access information about services. The lower uptake might be due to lack of awareness or availability of these services.
A notable concern is that 319.71 carers per 100,000 received no direct support in Ealing, much higher than the national average of 129.64. This suggests that many carers are not getting the help they might need. Factors such as high deprivation levels and urban challenges might contribute to this issue.
The data indicates that carers in Ealing face challenges in accessing support and information. The higher number of carers receiving no direct support points to a potential unmet need. Services might need to focus on better outreach and tailored support to reach carers who are currently unsupported.
Improving communication channels could help carers find the information they need. Considering Ealing's diverse community, providing information in multiple languages and through various platforms might be beneficial.
The council and service providers might also explore why certain support options are underutilised. Understanding barriers to accessing part direct payments and commissioned support could help in redesigning these services to meet carers' needs.
Carers in Ealing play a vital role in the community but face challenges in accessing support and information. The lower number of unpaid carers and the high percentage receiving no direct support suggest areas where services can improve. By addressing these issues, Ealing can better support its carers, enhancing their wellbeing and the quality of care they provide.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Ealing is a borough in London with about 375,340 people in 2023. It is a very urban area with 6,611.6 residents per square kilometre, much more than the England average of 2,468.5. Ealing also has higher levels of deprivation compared to the national average. These factors can affect the demand for social care services.
In 2024, Ealing has 70 community-based adult social care services, which is more than the national average of 63.8. This suggests that Ealing places emphasis on supporting people within the community. On the other hand, there are 44 residential social care providers in Ealing, fewer than the national average of 91. This might mean there are fewer places available for people needing residential care.
About 25.44% of care providers in Ealing need improvement or are inadequate, which is higher than the national average of 16.8%. This shows that a significant number of providers are not meeting standards. Possible reasons might include staff shortages or high demand, affecting the quality of care.
The turnover rate for care staff in Ealing is 19.04%, similar to the London average of 19%. However, Ealing has a vacancy rate of 14.13%, which is higher than the national average of 8.4%. This means many care jobs in Ealing are unfilled, which can lead to workload pressures on existing staff.
When it comes to retaining staff, 56.04% of providers in Ealing find it more challenging or much more challenging. This is lower than the London average of 68.1%, but it still poses a problem. For recruiting staff, 67.98% of providers report challenges, which is also lower than the London average of 79.8%, yet remains significant.
High vacancy rates and difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff can impact the quality of care provided. If there are not enough staff, existing workers may become overworked, which might lead to lower care standards. This could explain why a higher proportion of providers in Ealing need improvement.
The higher population density and levels of deprivation in Ealing may increase the demand for social care services. More people might need support, putting extra pressure on care providers. The lower number of residential care providers could mean that people have fewer options for care homes, possibly leading to longer waiting times or forcing people to seek care outside their area.
These challenges suggest that action is needed to improve staff recruitment and retention. This could involve offering better pay, training, and working conditions to attract more people to work in care. Improving the quality of care providers is also important to ensure that residents receive the support they need.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Ealing is a borough with a growing population and high urban density. This analysis looks at the quality of care services in Ealing, focusing on key indicators and comparing them to national averages.
In 2024/25, Ealing received a score of 56 from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The national average score is 64.7. Ealing's status is "Requires Improvement". This means that the quality of care services in Ealing is below the national standard. The high population density and levels of deprivation in Ealing might contribute to this result.
In November 2024, Ealing had 44.8 discharges from acceptable trusts. The national average is 89. This shows that fewer patients in Ealing are discharged from hospitals that meet the standards. However, only 10.7% of discharges were delayed in Ealing, which is slightly better than the national average of 12.3%. This suggests that, while fewer patients are discharged from acceptable trusts, delays are less common.
The average delay for hospital discharges in Ealing is 0.89 days, higher than the national average of 0.7 days. Patients in Ealing wait longer to leave the hospital. This might strain hospital resources and affect patient care.
In 2024, 59.2% of people in Ealing said they were satisfied with their care and support. The national average is 64.7%. Another survey by NatCen shows that 57% of people in Ealing are dissatisfied with social care. Lower satisfaction might be due to staffing levels, funding issues, or high demand for services.
About 67.6% of people using services in Ealing find it easy to get information about services. This is close to the national average of 68.2%. This suggests that most people can find the information they need, but there is room for improvement.
In 2024, there were 4.53 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people in Ealing. The national average is 4.45. There were 4.26 complaints decided per 100,000 people in Ealing, compared to 4.12 nationally. This shows that Ealing has slightly more complaints than average.
Ealing's population grew from 367,284 in 2019 to 375,340 in 2023. The borough is very densely populated, with 6,611.6 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 2,468.5. Ealing's mean deprivation decile is 4.8, lower than the national mean of 5.9. This means that Ealing has higher levels of deprivation. The area is entirely urban, with no rural areas.
High population density and deprivation can increase the demand for care services. This can put pressure on resources and staff. These factors might explain the lower satisfaction rates and longer delays in Ealing.
Ealing's care services are below the national average in several areas. There are fewer discharges from acceptable hospitals, longer delays, and lower satisfaction among service users. The growing population and high density might contribute to these challenges. Ealing may need to focus on improving resources, increasing efficiency, and meeting the needs of its residents to enhance the quality of care services.
✨ ✅ ❌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 the year 2024, Ealing's gross total expenditure on social care is £36,367 per 100,000 people. This amount is significantly less than the national average of £47,758 per 100,000 people. Similarly, the net total expenditure in Ealing is £30,233 per 100,000 people, below the national average of £40,472. This lower spending suggests that Ealing may have fewer resources allocated to social care, which could impact the quality and availability of services for residents.
Client contributions in Ealing are £6,135 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of £7,286. NHS contributions are also lower in Ealing, at £7,070 per 100,000 people, while the national average is £7,878. The reduced contributions from clients and the NHS might indicate economic challenges among residents or differences in funding arrangements. This could place additional pressure on local authorities to meet social care demands with limited financial support.
Ealing's population has grown from 367,284 in 2019 to 375,340 in 2023. Despite this increase, spending on social care has not risen proportionally, potentially leading to unmet needs. The borough has a high population density of 6,611.6 residents per square kilometre, much higher than the England average of 2,468.5. High density can lead to increased demand for social care services due to factors such as overcrowding and greater social challenges.
The mean deprivation decile in Ealing is 4.8, lower than the national mean of 5.9. A lower decile indicates higher levels of deprivation. This suggests that Ealing faces greater social and economic challenges than many other areas. The consistent level of deprivation across Ealing, shown by a standard deviation of 2.13, indicates that these challenges are widespread within the borough.
Ealing is entirely urban, with 0% of its area classified as rural, compared to the national average of 34.6% rural land. Urban areas often require more extensive social care services due to factors like higher living costs, housing issues, and diverse populations with varied needs. The combination of high population density and higher deprivation levels may increase the need for social care services in Ealing.
The lower spending on social care in Ealing, both in gross and net terms, raises concerns about whether the needs of the population are being adequately met. The lower client and NHS contributions may reflect economic difficulties among residents or funding constraints. The absence of data on budget cuts makes it difficult to assess whether financial limitations are impacting service delivery.
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 in funding allocations. Without clear information on required funding levels, local authorities may struggle to advocate for the resources needed to support their communities effectively.
In conclusion, Ealing's lower spending on social care, combined with its higher levels of deprivation and urban density, may indicate unmet needs within the community. It is important for local authorities and policymakers to consider these factors when planning and allocating resources for social care services. Ensuring adequate funding and support is crucial to meet the needs of Ealing's residents and improve their quality of life.
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