This page provides an overview of social care in Gloucestershire, 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: Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury
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: Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury
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 Gloucestershire. 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 Gloucestershire, 16.25% of people have disabilities. This is slightly less than the national average of 17.6%. This means that there are fewer disabled people in the county compared to other places.
In 2024, 15,860 working-age adults asked for care in Gloucestershire. This is 2,405.67 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is 1,143.48 per 100,000 people. This shows that more working-age people in Gloucestershire are asking for care compared to other areas.
Even though many people asked for care, only 1,570 people aged 18 to 64 received care in 2024. This is 238.14 people per 100,000. The national average is 532.68 per 100,000. This suggests that many people who need care might not be getting it. There could be reasons like waiting lists or not enough services.
Gloucestershire has more people in residential care. There are 65.98 people per 100,000 in residential care, compared to the national average of 60.61 per 100,000. But fewer people are in nursing care, with 7.58 per 100,000, while the national average is 13.75 per 100,000.
Fewer people use direct payments in Gloucestershire. Only 9.10 per 100,000 people receive community care with direct payments, compared to 122.17 per 100,000 nationally. This means that fewer people are arranging their own care.
More people receive community care through council services, with 128.93 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 58.3 per 100,000. This shows that people rely more on council-provided care.
In 2025, people in Gloucestershire asked for help with different things. More people asked for information, with 4.55 requests per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 3.41 per 100,000. Requests for safeguarding were also a bit higher.
For other types of help, like assessments and care plans, requests were lower than the national average. This might mean that people need more support to access these services.
Gloucestershire's population is growing. In 2023, there were 659,276 people. The county is less densely populated, with 243.2 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,468.5 nationally. This rural setting might make it harder for people to access services.
The county is less deprived than others, with a mean deprivation decile of 7.01, higher than the national average of 5.9. Even so, there are many requests for care, but fewer people receiving it. This could mean that services are not meeting people's needs.
The higher use of residential care and council services suggests that people may not have many options. Encouraging community care and direct payments could help people get the care they need in their own homes.
Gloucestershire has fewer disabled people overall, but working-age adults are asking for more care. Many are not receiving care, showing a possible gap in services. By improving access to care and offering more options, the county can better support disabled people.
✨ ✅ ❌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
The number of older people in Gloucestershire has been growing. In 2019, older people made up 21.4% of the population. This rose to 22.1% in 2023. This percentage is higher than the national average, which was around 18.5% in 2023. This means Gloucestershire has more older people compared to many other places in the country.
In 2024, there were 48,525 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Gloucestershire. This is about 7,360 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is much lower, at around 2,438 requests per 100,000 people. This suggests that many older people in Gloucestershire are seeking help and support.
Also in 2024, 5,365 older people were receiving care in Gloucestershire. This is about 814 people per 100,000, which is less than the national average of about 1,003 people per 100,000. This might mean that fewer older people are getting the care they need compared to other areas.
The total population of Gloucestershire has been increasing, from 638,676 in 2019 to 659,276 in 2023. The area has fewer people per square kilometre (243.2) compared to the national average (2,468.5). This means Gloucestershire is less crowded than other parts of the country.
Gloucestershire has a higher mean deprivation decile of 7.01 compared to the national average of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. This suggests that people in Gloucestershire might be better off than in some other areas. Parts of Gloucestershire are more rural, with some areas having up to 100% rural population, compared to the national average of 34.6%. Living in rural areas can affect access to services.
The increasing number of older people and the high number of care requests show that there is a strong need for care services in Gloucestershire. Since fewer people are receiving care compared to the national average, some older people might not be getting the help they need. This could be due to challenges like living in rural areas or not having enough services available.
With the population continuing to grow and age, it is important for care services to expand and adapt. Policymakers and service providers should consider increasing resources and support for older people. This could help meet the growing demand and ensure that more people receive the care they need.
✨ ✅ ❌When government support falls short, unpaid carers step in to provide care. However, many struggle with burnout, financial pressure, lack of social contact, and a lack of support. This section explores the number of unpaid carers, their increasing workload, and what forms of support are available.
Carers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. The percentage of carers receiving direct payments highlights financial empowerment, the number of carers accessing services reflects local authority outreach, and the number turning to charities underscores unmet needs. Together, these data points reveal systemic strengths and weaknesses: low direct payment uptake may push carers toward charities, while effective services can reduce dependence on charitable support. Understanding these metrics enables targeted interventions to ensure carers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Unpaid carers play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults, often stepping in to provide care when professional services are unavailable or insufficient. Understanding the number of unpaid carers in a local authority can be complicated. On the one hand, a relatively high proportion might be indicative of not enough being done by the local authority, and/or a strong community. On the other hand, a relatively lower number can mean good service provision, lower need, lower availability to look after family, or a problem with reporting.
Still, understanding the number of unpaid carers is a baseline number that must be considered.
NOMIS NM_2213_1
These values are widely considered to be an underestimate. See this report from Carers UK for more information.
August 2021 - Patient with dementia who lives in a shared lives setting. Carer had been requesting respite from the council since September 2020. Croydon Social Prescriber helped with a referral to the local authority in March 2021. Assessment conducted, with the promise they would come back with support, which did not happen. 25 August, social prescriber used the chatbot to find the right legal wording for the situation. The email was sent at 4.52pm that day. At 5.12pm the council contacted the carer to discuss the respite. This was the impact of one letter, addressed to a senior team.
This case study is based on real data from Croydon. Have a story to tell? Let us know, and we might display it here!
Social contact is important for carers’ well-being, as it can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Understanding the level of social contact that carers have can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a low level of social contact may indicate a need for more social activities or support groups for carers, while a high level of social contact may suggest that carers have a strong support network.
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 11
The type of support available to carers can vary significantly, impacting their ability to provide care effectively. Understanding the types of support available can help identify areas where additional resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers receiving respite care may indicate a need for more support with caregiving responsibilities, while a low number of carers receiving financial support may suggest a need for additional financial assistance.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T47
Access to information is crucial for carers to navigate the social care system effectively. Understanding how easy it is for carers to get information can help local authorities identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of carers finding it difficult to get information may indicate a need for improved communication and support services, while a low number of carers finding it difficult to get information may suggest that existing services are effective.
Would you like social care information? Try our Chatbot!
Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE) - question 17
Note: these values are a work in progress… expect these numbers to go up
Access Social Care and other Helplines help people with information, advice, and support related to social care. Understanding the types of calls received by carers can highlight areas where additional support and resources may be needed. For example, a high number of calls related to financial support may indicate a need for more financial assistance for carers, while a high number of calls related to respite care may suggest a need for additional support with caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that, just as in the previous section, low numbers of requests might indicate that people don’t know where to get help, don’t feel they can get (or deserve) help, or other outreach problems. This is particularly important because we often work with people where the role of a carer is not recognised, or where the carer themselves does not recognise their role.
Access Social Care casework, AccessAva data, and helpline partner submissions
In Gloucestershire, carers play a vital role in supporting family members and friends. This analysis looks at the situation of carers in the county, focusing on unpaid carers, their social contact, and access to support.
In 2021, Gloucestershire had 8,022 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This number is slightly lower than the national average of 8,204 per 100,000 people. With a population of 646,485 in 2021, this means there are about 51,800 unpaid carers in the county.
Gloucestershire has a lower population density, with 243 people per square kilometre compared to the England average of 2,468 people per square kilometre. This suggests that many carers live in rural areas. Living in rural areas can make it harder for carers to access services and support.
In 2024, only 4.23 carers per 100,000 people in Gloucestershire reported that they had as much social contact as they would like. This is lower than the national average of 12.01 per 100,000 people. This means that many carers in Gloucestershire may feel socially isolated.
The high percentage of rural areas in the county might contribute to this social isolation. Limited public transport and longer distances can make it difficult for carers to meet others and take part in social activities.
Despite feelings of isolation, 68.8% of carers in Gloucestershire in 2024 felt it was easy to find information about services. This is higher than the national average of 59.3%. This suggests that local services are effective in providing information to carers.
Good access to information helps carers find the support they need. This can include advice, signposting to services, and knowing what help is available.
Carers in Gloucestershire receive various types of support. In 2024, 485 carers per 100,000 people received information, advice, and other universal services. This is higher than the national average of 338 per 100,000 people.
Additionally, 132 carers per 100,000 people received commissioned support only, compared to the national average of 102 per 100,000 people. This means that carers in Gloucestershire are receiving more of this type of support than elsewhere.
However, only 3.79 carers per 100,000 people received a managed personal budget, which is lower than the national average of 65.81 per 100,000 people. This suggests that fewer carers in Gloucestershire are receiving direct financial support.
The data shows that while carers in Gloucestershire have good access to information and some types of support, they may feel isolated and receive less direct financial help. The rural nature of the county might make it harder for carers to connect with others and access certain services.
Gloucestershire has a mean deprivation decile of 7.01, higher than the England mean of 5.9. A higher decile indicates less deprivation. This suggests that overall, the county is less deprived, but there may still be areas with more need.
To better support carers, services could focus on reducing isolation by providing more opportunities for social contact. This could include local support groups or events in rural areas. Increasing access to direct financial support might also help carers manage their responsibilities.
Understanding these challenges can help policymakers and service providers improve support for carers in Gloucestershire. By addressing issues like social isolation and access to direct support, carers can feel more valued and better able to continue their vital work.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Gloucestershire has a strong presence of care providers compared to the national average. In 2024, there are 136 community-based adult social care services in the county, while the average across England is 63.8. For residential social care, Gloucestershire has 194 providers, exceeding the national average of 91. This abundance may reflect the county's commitment to meeting the needs of its residents, especially as the population has been steadily increasing from 638,676 in 2019 to 659,276 in 2023.
The county's population density is much lower than the national figure, with 243.2 people per square kilometre compared to England's 2,468.5. A significant portion of Gloucestershire is rural, with over 50% classified as such. The spread-out population may necessitate more care providers to ensure services are accessible to people in all areas, including remote communities.
Quality of care is an important aspect, and Gloucestershire is performing well in this regard. In 2024, only 12.99% of care providers were rated as needing improvement or inadequate, better than the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that the majority of care services in the county are meeting or exceeding expected standards, providing reassurance to those relying on such services.
However, staffing challenges are evident in the care sector. The turnover rate in Gloucestershire for 2023/24 stands at 26.05%, similar to the national average of 26.1%. A high percentage of providers, 76.68%, reported that retaining staff is more challenging or much more challenging, compared to 68.1% across England. Recruiting staff is also more difficult, with 89.45% of providers facing greater challenges, higher than the national figure of 79.8%.
Despite these difficulties, the vacancy rate in Gloucestershire is 6.98%, which is lower than the national average of 8.4%. This indicates that while recruitment and retention are challenging, providers are finding ways to fill vacancies. Strategies might include offering better working conditions, training opportunities, or other incentives to attract staff.
The rural nature of the county might contribute to staffing issues. In rural areas, there may be fewer people seeking employment in the care sector, and travel distances between clients can be longer, making the jobs less attractive. The county's lower levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of around 7 compared to the national mean of 5.9, might also mean fewer people are looking for work in care roles, which are often lower paid.
These staffing challenges could have implications for service delivery. Providers may need support to overcome recruitment and retention difficulties. Policies that focus on improving transport, offering training and career development, or providing financial incentives could help attract more people to the sector.
In conclusion, Gloucestershire's care sector is robust in terms of the number and quality of providers. Addressing the staffing challenges is essential to maintain high-quality care services. With the population continuing to grow, focusing on recruitment and retention will be key to ensuring that the needs of residents are met effectively.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Gloucestershire is working to improve the quality of its social care services. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Local Authority assessment for 2024/25 gave Gloucestershire a score of 50 out of 100, while the national average is 64.7. This shows that there is room for improvement in the county's services.
In November 2024, Gloucestershire had 99,884 discharges from acceptable trusts. This is higher than the national average of 89,000 discharges. The percentage of delayed discharges was 9.43%, which is lower than the national average of 12.3%. Fewer delays mean patients can return home or to care facilities sooner.
The average delay for discharges in Gloucestershire was 0.94 days, compared to the national average of 0.7 days. Reducing this delay can help improve patient flow and free up hospital beds more quickly.
In 2024, 66.2% of people in Gloucestershire said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is higher than the national average of 64.7%. However, another study by NatCen found that 57% of people were dissatisfied with social care. This suggests mixed feelings among residents about the services they receive.
About 74.3% of people using services in Gloucestershire felt it was easy to find information about services. This is better than the national average of 68.2%. Easy access to information helps people make informed choices about their care.
There were 3.64 complaints received by the ombudsman per 100,000 people in Gloucestershire, which is lower than the national average of 4.45. The number of complaints decided was 2.73 per 100,000 people, also lower than the national average of 4.12. Fewer complaints might mean that people are more satisfied with the services.
Gloucestershire has a population of 659,276 in 2023, which is larger than the average local authority in England. The population density is 243.2 people per square kilometre, much lower than the national average of 2,468.5. This means Gloucestershire is more rural, which can affect how services are delivered.
The county's mean deprivation decile is 7.01, higher than the national average of 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. This suggests that Gloucestershire is less deprived than other areas, which might impact the demand for services.
Gloucestershire shows strengths in areas like higher patient discharges and lower delayed discharges. Satisfaction with care is slightly above average, and access to information is good. However, the overall CQC assessment indicates that improvements are needed. Focusing on reducing average delays and addressing areas of dissatisfaction can help enhance the quality of 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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This report looks at how much Gloucestershire spends on social care. It compares local spending to the national average and considers factors like population and deprivation. The goal is to understand what the spending means for people living in Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire spends £43,924 per 100,000 people on social care before any contributions. This amount is less than the national average of £47,758 per 100,000 people. Spending less might mean that there is less need for social care services in Gloucestershire. It could also suggest that the county provides services more efficiently. However, it might indicate that some people's needs are not being met.
After contributions, Gloucestershire's spending is £37,618 per 100,000 people. The national average is £40,471 per 100,000 people. This lower net spending could be due to various reasons. It might be that residents need fewer services, or that the county manages its funds carefully. But it could also mean that some residents do not receive the care they need.
Clients in Gloucestershire contribute £6,305 per 100,000 people towards social care. This is less than the national average of £7,286 per 100,000 people. Lower contributions might mean that residents have less ability to pay. It could also suggest that fewer people are asked to contribute, or that the charges are lower in Gloucestershire.
The NHS contributes £10,664 per 100,000 people to social care in Gloucestershire. This is higher than the national average of £7,878 per 100,000 people. A higher NHS contribution may show strong cooperation between health and social care services. This can help provide better support for residents. It might also mean that the NHS is covering some costs that would otherwise fall on social care.
Gloucestershire's population has grown from 638,676 in 2019 to 659,276 in 2023. This growth may increase the demand for social care services. The county has 243 people per square kilometre, which is much lower than the national average of 2,468. A lower population density can make it harder to deliver services, especially in rural areas.
The average deprivation score in Gloucestershire is around 7, while the national average is 5.9. A higher score means less deprivation. This suggests that Gloucestershire is less deprived than many other areas. Less deprivation can lead to lower demand for social care. However, there are still areas within the county that may have greater needs.
Gloucestershire has a mix of urban and rural areas. Some parts are entirely rural, while others are mostly urban. More than half of the county is rural, compared to the national average of 34.6%. Rural areas can face challenges in accessing social care services due to distance and transport issues. This can affect how services are planned and delivered.
The lower spending on social care in Gloucestershire might mean that services are stretched. With a growing population and many rural areas, the county may need to plan carefully to meet future demands. The higher NHS contributions are helpful, but relying on them might not be sustainable. There is no information about budget cuts, but it seems that funding needs are known but not fully addressed.
Gloucestershire spends less on social care per person than the national average. While the county is less deprived and has fewer people per area, it still faces challenges. Rural areas and a growing population can increase the need for services. It is important for Gloucestershire to ensure that all residents have access to the care they need.
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