This page provides an overview of social care in East Sussex, 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: Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, Wealden
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: Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, Wealden
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 East Sussex. 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
The proportion of disabled people in East Sussex is higher than the national average. In 2024, 19.22% of people in East Sussex were disabled, compared to the average of 17.6% across the country. This means that East Sussex has a larger share of disabled people than other areas.
In 2024, there were 7,980 requests for care from working-age people in East Sussex. This is 1,436.6 requests per 100,000 people, while the national average is 1,143.5 per 100,000. This shows that more working-age people in East Sussex are seeking care services than in other parts of the country.
The number of people aged 18 to 64 receiving care in East Sussex was 3,530 in 2024. This is 635.5 people per 100,000, higher than the national average of 532.7 per 100,000. This suggests that more people in this age group are getting care services in East Sussex than elsewhere.
Different types of care services are also used more in East Sussex. For example, 114.3 people per 100,000 receive residential care, compared to the national average of 60.6 per 100,000. For community direct payments only, the rate is 145.8 per 100,000 in East Sussex, higher than the national average of 122.2 per 100,000. This indicates that people in East Sussex are using various care services more than in other areas.
There are several factors that might explain these higher numbers. East Sussex has a growing population, reaching 555,484 in 2023, which is higher than the national average of 377,060.9. The area is also more rural, with 64.6% of the population living in rural areas, compared to the national average of 34.6%. Rural areas often have less access to services, which might lead to a greater need for care services.
East Sussex also has higher levels of deprivation. The mean deprivation decile is 4.98, lower than the national average of 5.9. A lower decile number means more deprivation. This could lead to more health problems and a higher need for care services. The standard deviation of deprivation deciles is 2.51, slightly higher than the national average of 2.3, which shows there is a wide range of deprivation levels in the area.
These factors suggest that the higher demand for care services in East Sussex is linked to its larger population, higher rurality, and greater deprivation. People in rural and deprived areas might have more unmet needs and require more support. This means that care services in East Sussex may need more resources to meet the higher demand.
For service delivery and policy, it is important to consider these needs. Providing more resources to care services, especially for working-age disabled people, could help address the higher demand. Improving access to services in rural areas and tackling deprivation might also reduce the need for care services over time.
✨ ✅ ❌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
East Sussex has a growing number of older people. From 2019 to 2023, the proportion of older residents increased from 25.92% to 26.47%. This is higher than the national average, which ranged from 18.4% to 18.9% during the same period. The steady rise suggests that East Sussex has an ageing population.
In 2024, there were 23,730 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in East Sussex. This equals 4,271.95 requests per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 2,437.85 per 100,000. The high number of requests may be due to the larger proportion of older residents in the area. Older people often need more support, so services must meet this demand.
Also in 2024, 6,765 people aged 65 and over were receiving care in East Sussex. This is 1,217.86 per 100,000 people, higher than the national rate of 1,002.86 per 100,000. The data shows that more older people in East Sussex are getting care compared to the national average. This might be because of the higher number of older residents who need support.
Different types of care are provided to older people in East Sussex. In 2024, 1,175 people received nursing care, and 1,575 received residential care. Community care was also important, with 3,445 people getting support through personal budgets or commissioned services. The rates for nursing and residential care were higher than the national averages. This indicates a strong need for various care services in the region.
The total population of East Sussex grew from 545,261 in 2019 to 555,484 in 2023. The area has a population density of 319.5 people per square kilometre, much lower than the national average of 2,468.5. The lower density may affect how services are delivered, as people live further apart. This can make it harder to provide care, especially in rural areas.
A significant part of East Sussex is rural. In some areas, up to 87.89% is rural, compared to the national average of 34.6%. Rural areas might have less access to services, so older people there may face challenges in getting the care they need. This highlights the importance of ensuring that services reach all parts of the county.
Deprivation levels vary within East Sussex. Some areas have a mean deprivation decile of 3.23, which is below the national average of 5.9, indicating higher deprivation. Other areas have a decile of 7.34, above the national average, showing less deprivation. These differences can affect health and access to services. Areas with higher deprivation may have greater health needs and require more support.
The data suggests that East Sussex needs to plan carefully for its ageing population. Higher numbers of older people mean more demand for care services. The rural nature of the area can make service delivery challenging. Differences in deprivation levels mean that some communities may need extra help. Services must be accessible to all, including those in remote areas and those facing hardship.
East Sussex has a higher and growing proportion of older residents compared to the national average. This leads to more requests for care and a higher number of people receiving care. The area's low population density and large rural regions present challenges for providing services. Understanding these factors is important for planning and delivering effective care to meet the needs of older people in East Sussex.
✨ ✅ ❌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 East Sussex, carers play a vital role in supporting loved ones. The data shows important insights about carers in this area compared to national figures.
In 2021, East Sussex had about 9,401 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 8,204 per 100,000. With a population of 546,861 in 2021, there are approximately 51,443 unpaid carers in the county.
This higher number may reflect an ageing population or strong community ties. It could also indicate limited access to formal care services, especially in rural areas.
In 2024, 33.3% of carers in East Sussex reported having as much social contact as they would like. This is better than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that carers here feel more socially connected.
However, it still means that nearly 67% of carers may feel isolated. Rural settings and caregiving duties can limit social interactions.
Around 71.8% of carers found it easy to get information about services in 2024. This is higher than the 59.3% national average. Good information access helps carers find support and reduces stress.
East Sussex offers more direct payments to carers than the national average. In 2024, there were about 189 direct payments per 100,000 people, compared to 150 nationally. For part direct payments, East Sussex had 190 per 100,000, much higher than the national figure of 45.
This suggests that carers in East Sussex have more control over the support they receive. Direct payments allow carers to choose services that suit their needs.
The county had no data for some types of managed support, while nationally there are figures for these services. This might mean these services are less common in East Sussex, or recorded differently.
East Sussex provided information and advice services to about 749 people per 100,000, more than twice the national average of 339. This shows strong support in guiding carers to resources.
Only 27 per 100,000 carers received no direct support, much lower than the national figure of 130. This indicates that most carers in East Sussex receive some form of help.
East Sussex is more rural than many parts of England, with up to 88% rural areas compared to the national average of 35%. Rural settings can make accessing services harder due to distance and transport issues.
Despite this, carers in East Sussex report better access to information and social contact. This suggests effective strategies are in place to support carers in rural areas.
Deprivation levels vary within the county. Some areas are less deprived than the national average, while others are more deprived. Deprivation can increase the need for unpaid care and affect access to services. Addressing these differences is important for fair support.
The data shows that East Sussex is doing well in supporting carers, especially in providing information and direct payments. Continuing these efforts can improve carers’ well-being.
However, many carers still experience social isolation. Enhancing social opportunities can benefit their health and the quality of care they provide.
Given the rural nature of East Sussex, making sure services are accessible is crucial. Tailoring support to meet the needs of carers in remote areas can help overcome barriers.
✨ ✅ ❌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
East Sussex has a strong presence of care providers. In 2024, there are 82 community-based adult social care services. This number is higher than the national average of 63.8. For residential social care, there are 280 providers in East Sussex, which is much higher than the national average of 91. This large number of providers may be due to the county's growing population.
The population of East Sussex has been increasing. In 2023, it reached 555,484 people, higher than the England average of 377,060.9. Despite this, the population density is lower in East Sussex, with 319.5 people per square kilometre compared to the England average of 2,468.5. This means that East Sussex has more people spread out over a larger area, which might require more care providers to meet the needs of residents in rural areas.
In 2024, 14.99% of care providers in East Sussex were rated as needing improvement or inadequate. This is slightly better than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that care providers in East Sussex are maintaining a good standard of care overall.
Staff turnover in East Sussex is 26.65%, which is close to the regional average of 26.7%. The vacancy rate is 6.20%, lower than the regional average of 8.4%. This indicates that, while some staff are leaving, most positions are filled.
However, many care providers are finding it hard to recruit and retain staff. In 2024, 82.90% of providers said recruiting staff was more challenging or much more challenging, higher than the regional average of 79.8%. Additionally, 72.39% found retaining staff more challenging, compared to the regional average of 68.1%. These challenges might be due to the rural nature of the county or competition for staff with other sectors.
The mean deprivation decile in East Sussex is 4.98, which is lower than the England average of 5.9. A lower decile indicates higher levels of deprivation. This could affect the demand for care services, as more people might need support but have fewer resources to pay for it.
East Sussex has more care providers than the national average, which may be necessary due to its larger and more dispersed population. The quality of care is generally good, with fewer providers needing improvement compared to the national average. However, staffing remains a significant challenge, with many providers finding it hard to recruit and retain staff. Addressing these staffing issues is important to ensure that care services can meet the needs of the community.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
East Sussex has shown noteworthy trends in health and social care services. This analysis looks at key areas like delayed discharges, satisfaction with care, and access to service information.
In November 2024, 18.8% of discharges in East Sussex were delayed, higher than the national average of 12.3%. The average delay was 1.9 days, compared to 0.7 days across England. This suggests that patients in East Sussex wait longer to leave hospital due to delays in arranging follow-up care.
The higher delays may be linked to the county's rural nature. With 64.6% of the area being rural, arranging care services can be challenging. Longer travel times and fewer local services might slow down the discharge process.
In 2024, 66.8% of people in East Sussex were satisfied with their care and support, slightly above the national average of 64.7%. This shows that many are happy with the services they receive.
However, another survey by NatCen found that 57% were dissatisfied with social care. This difference suggests that experiences vary, and some people may have concerns that need addressing.
About 68.8% of service users in East Sussex found it easy to get information about services, close to the England average of 68.2%. This indicates that most people can access the information they need.
There were 5.0 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people in East Sussex, higher than the national rate of 4.45. Similarly, 5.76 complaints per 100,000 were decided, compared to 4.12 across England. This suggests that more people in East Sussex are taking their concerns to a higher level.
East Sussex had a population of 555,484 in 2023, which has been growing steadily. The population density is 319.5 people per square kilometre, much lower than the England average of 2,468.5. This lower density reflects the rural nature of the county.
The mean deprivation decile in East Sussex is around 5, slightly below the England mean of 5.9. Some areas have higher deprivation, which can increase demand for services and affect satisfaction levels.
The higher rates of delayed discharges suggest a need for better coordination between hospitals and community services. Improving discharge planning and providing more support at home could help reduce delays.
The mixed satisfaction levels point to areas where services could improve. Understanding why people are dissatisfied, especially those who have complained to the ombudsman, can help address issues.
The rural setting means services need to consider longer distances and fewer facilities. Using mobile services or technology like telehealth could help reach people in remote areas.
East Sussex shows both strengths and challenges in health and social care. By focusing on reducing delays, improving satisfaction, and adapting services to rural needs, there is an opportunity to enhance the quality of care for 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, East Sussex spent money on social care services. We will look at how much was spent and compare it to the national averages.
East Sussex spent £61,327.92 per 100,000 people on social care. The national average was £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means East Sussex spent more than the average.
The population of East Sussex was about 555,484 people in 2024. So, the total spending was around £340.7 million. Higher spending may be due to more people needing social care in the area.
After taking into account income from clients and the NHS, East Sussex's net spending was £52,558.39 per 100,000 people. The national average was £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. Again, East Sussex spent more than average.
Clients in East Sussex contributed £8,769.53 per 100,000 people. The national average was £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This shows that clients in East Sussex are paying more towards their care.
The NHS contributed £10,701.61 per 100,000 people in East Sussex. The national average was £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. East Sussex received more NHS funding than average for social care.
There are several reasons why East Sussex might spend more on social care. The county's population grew from 545,261 in 2019 to 555,484 in 2023. More people may mean more demand for services.
East Sussex has a lower population density than the national average. There are 319.5 people per square kilometre in East Sussex, while the national average is 2,468.5. Providing services in rural areas can cost more because of longer distances.
Some areas in East Sussex are more deprived. The mean deprivation decile in some districts is 3.23, which is lower than the England mean of 5.9. Higher deprivation can lead to greater need for social care.
A large part of East Sussex is rural. In some districts, up to 87.89% of the area is rural. Rural areas may have fewer services, so it can cost more to reach people who need help.
The higher spending suggests that East Sussex has a greater need for social care services. The local council may need to plan for more resources to meet this demand. Policies may focus on supporting rural communities and addressing deprivation.
The higher contributions from clients and the NHS show that both are paying more towards social care in East Sussex. This may reflect higher costs or efforts to share the funding.
East Sussex spends more on social care than the national average. Factors like population growth, rural areas, and higher deprivation may contribute to this. Understanding these factors can help in planning services and allocating resources effectively.
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