This page provides an overview of social care in Hackney, 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 Hackney. 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
This report examines the data on disabled people in Hackney, focusing on overall disability rates and service requests. The aim is to interpret the figures in the context of Hackney's population structure and socio-economic factors, comparing them with national averages where appropriate.
In 2024, the age-standardised proportion of disabled people in Hackney was 19.2%, which is higher than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that a greater percentage of residents in Hackney live with disabilities compared to the rest of England. Several factors might contribute to this. Hackney has higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 2.74 compared to the England mean of 5.9. Deprivation can impact health outcomes, potentially leading to a higher prevalence of disability. Additionally, the dense urban environment, with 13,593.3 residents per square kilometre—vastly exceeding the England average of 2,468.5—might influence health conditions associated with disability.
In 2025, data shows that residents in Hackney made various requests for help. There were 16 requests for help with charging, equating to 6.08 per 100,000 people, slightly higher than the national average of 5.72 per 100,000. Requests for assessments numbered six, which is 2.28 per 100,000 people, surpassing the national rate of 1.72 per 100,000. Similarly, requests for safeguarding assistance were at four, or 1.52 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 1.21 per 100,000.
These figures indicate a higher demand for certain services in Hackney. The increased requests for help with assessments and charging may reflect a higher level of need among the working-age disabled population. It could also suggest that residents are more actively seeking support or are more aware of the services available to them. The higher population density might contribute to greater service utilisation due to easier access or increased competition for resources.
The higher prevalence of disability and increased service requests imply that local services in Hackney may face greater demand. The area's higher deprivation levels could exacerbate this, as residents might have fewer personal resources to manage disabilities without support. This underlines the need for adequate funding and staffing in local services to meet the community's needs effectively. Service providers might need to consider tailored approaches to address the specific challenges faced by residents in a densely populated and economically deprived urban area.
It is important to note that for several indicators, such as the number of people receiving care aged 18 to 64, data for Hackney is not available. This limits the ability to fully assess the situation and make comprehensive comparisons with national averages. Ensuring accurate and complete data collection in the future will be vital for effective planning and resource allocation. Without this information, it is challenging to identify gaps in service provision or areas requiring additional support.
Hackney has a higher proportion of residents with disabilities compared to the national average, and there is a greater demand for certain support services. The area's higher population density and levels of deprivation may contribute to these trends. Addressing these needs will require targeted interventions, sufficient funding, and efficient service delivery to support disabled residents effectively. Policymakers and service providers should consider these factors when planning future services to ensure they meet the specific needs of Hackney's population.
✨ ✅ ❌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
In recent years, the number of older people in Hackney has been growing. In 2019, older people made up 7.46% of the population. By 2023, this increased to 8.31%. This means more people in Hackney are reaching older age. Even though this is still less than the national average of about 18.5%, the steady rise shows that Hackney's population is changing.
As the number of older residents grows, their need for support may also increase. However, we do not have data on how many older people in Hackney are asking for care. Nationally, about 2,438 people per 100,000 aged 65 and over request care. Without local figures, it is hard to know if Hackney's older people are getting the help they need. This makes it difficult to plan services for them.
In 2025, we know that some older people in Hackney asked for specific help. Six people requested help with assessments, which is higher than the national average per 100,000 people. Three people needed help with care plans, and sixteen asked about charging. The number of people asking about charging is also higher than the national rate. This suggests that costs of care are a concern for older residents in Hackney.
Other areas, like information seeking and legal issues, had fewer requests. Four people asked for help with information, and two with legal issues. These numbers are close to the national averages. It may mean that older people in Hackney have similar needs in these areas as in other parts of the country.
Hackney is a busy urban area with about 13,593 people per square kilometre. This is much higher than the England average of 2,469. Living in a crowded area can make it harder for older people to access services. They might find it difficult to travel or get information.
Hackney also has higher levels of deprivation. The average deprivation score is 2.74, while the national average is 5.9. This means many people in Hackney face economic and social challenges. For older people, this can lead to more health problems and a greater need for support.
The growing number of older people in Hackney means that demand for services is likely to increase. Higher levels of deprivation can add to this need. Older residents may require more help with assessments and understanding care costs. Services should be prepared to offer support in these areas.
Because we lack complete data on how many older people are asking for and receiving care, it is important to improve data collection. Knowing the exact needs of older residents will help planners provide the right services. Ensuring that older people in Hackney can access care easily should be a priority.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Hackney, a busy urban area in England, shows some important trends about carers. In 2021, there were 6,275.713 unpaid carers per 100,000 people in Hackney. This number is lower than the national average of 8,203.68 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. This means that fewer people in Hackney are taking on unpaid caring roles compared to other parts of England.
The population of Hackney has stayed around 260,000 people from 2019 to 2023. The area is very crowded, with 13,593.3 people per square kilometre in 2021. This is much higher than the England average of 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. Hackney is fully urban, with 0% rural areas, while the England average is 34.6% rural.
In 2024, only 19.9% of carers in Hackney said they had as much social contact as they would like. This is less than the national average of 29.3%. This suggests that many carers in Hackney may feel lonely or lack support from friends and family. Even though Hackney is densely populated, carers might still find it hard to connect with others.
Also in 2024, 44.4% of carers in Hackney felt it was easy to find information about services. This is below the national average of 59.3%. This means that more than half of the carers in Hackney might struggle to learn about available help and support. Difficulty in finding information can make caring more challenging.
Data on direct support for carers in Hackney is not available. This includes services like direct payments and personal budgets. Nationally, there are averages for these services, but in Hackney, the information is missing. This could mean that such services are not widely used or reported in Hackney.
Hackney is more deprived than many other areas. In 2019, its mean deprivation decile was 2.74, compared to the England mean of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. High deprivation can affect the well-being of carers and those they care for. It might also limit the resources available to support them.
The lower number of unpaid carers might be due to several factors. Hackney could have a younger population with fewer elderly people needing care. People might also need to work paid jobs, leaving less time for unpaid care. The urban setting might affect family structures and community support.
The feelings of isolation among carers could be linked to the challenges of city life. Even in a crowded place, people can feel alone. Difficulty in finding information suggests that services are not reaching carers effectively. This can add stress to their already demanding roles.
The data shows a need for better support for carers in Hackney. Making information about services easier to find could help carers get the help they need. Community programmes could reduce feelings of isolation. Addressing these issues might improve the quality of life for carers and those they care for.
Carers in Hackney face special challenges. They are fewer in number, report less social contact, and find it harder to access information. High deprivation levels may add to these difficulties. Focusing on improving support and access to services could make a positive difference in their lives.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Hackney, with a population of approximately 263,282 in 2023, is a densely populated borough, housing 13,593.3 residents per square kilometre compared to the England average of 2,468.5. The area is entirely urban and experiences higher levels of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 2.74, significantly lower than the national average of 5.9. This suggests that Hackney faces greater socio-economic challenges, which can impact various aspects of community life, including health and social care services.
In 2024, Hackney has 30 community-based adult social care service providers and 12 residential social care providers. These figures are below the national averages of 63.8 and 91, respectively. This shortage means that residents may have fewer local options for care, potentially leading to increased pressure on existing services and longer wait times for those in need. The limited number of providers may also affect the ability to meet the diverse needs of the population, especially in such a densely populated area.
The quality of care remains a critical concern. In Hackney, 14.29% of care providers are rated as needing improvement or inadequate, slightly better than the national average of 16.8%. While this suggests that the quality of services in Hackney is comparable to the rest of the country, there is still room for improvement to ensure all residents receive high-quality care. Efforts to support providers in enhancing service quality could be beneficial, particularly given the socio-economic challenges in the area.
Staffing is a significant issue affecting care providers in Hackney. The turnover rate is 19.04%, aligning closely with the London regional average of 19%. However, the vacancy rate in Hackney is notably high at 16.06%, nearly double the national average of 8.4%. This high vacancy rate indicates difficulties in filling positions, which may lead to overworked staff and can negatively impact the quality of care provided. The challenges in recruiting and retaining staff are further highlighted by 67.98% of providers reporting that recruiting staff is more challenging or much more challenging, and 56.04% noting similar difficulties in retaining staff. Although these figures are slightly better than the London regional averages of 79.8% and 68.1%, they still represent a majority of providers facing significant staffing challenges.
The high levels of deprivation in Hackney may contribute to these staffing issues. Economic hardship can limit the pool of qualified candidates and make it difficult for providers to offer competitive salaries. The cost of living in an entirely urban area like Hackney may also deter potential staff, who may seek employment in areas with lower living expenses. Additionally, the homogeneity of deprivation across the borough, indicated by a lower standard deviation in deprivation deciles compared to the national average, means that these challenges are widespread and not confined to particular areas.
The shortage of care providers, combined with staffing challenges, suggests that residents of Hackney may face barriers in accessing necessary care services. This situation could lead to unmet needs and increased strain on families and community resources. To address these issues, policy interventions could focus on supporting care providers with recruitment and retention efforts. Initiatives might include offering incentives for staff, investing in training and professional development, and improving working conditions to make roles more attractive. Addressing broader socio-economic factors, such as housing affordability and employment opportunities, may also help alleviate some of the underlying challenges.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
The London Borough of Hackney exhibits a complex landscape in terms of quality improvement within its social care services. This analysis explores key indicators to understand the current status and implications for service delivery.
In November 2024, Hackney had 99.6% of its discharges from acceptable trusts, surpassing the national average of 89%. This suggests that Hackney's residents are largely receiving care from well-rated providers. Additionally, only 7.9% of discharges were delayed, compared to the national figure of 12.3%. The lower rate of delays indicates efficient processes in transitioning individuals from hospital care to community or home settings.
The average delay in discharges for Hackney was 0.423 days, which is less than the national average of 0.7 days. This shorter delay time can reduce bed blocking in hospitals and may improve patient outcomes by facilitating timely care transitions.
Despite the positive discharge metrics, only 58.5% of respondents in Hackney were satisfied with their care and support in 2024, below the national average of 64.7%. Furthermore, a separate survey by NatCen indicated that 57% of residents expressed dissatisfaction with social care. The lower satisfaction levels hint at underlying issues that might not be reflected in discharge efficiency alone.
About 62.5% of people using services in Hackney felt it was easy to find information about those services, whereas the national average stood at 68.2%. Difficulty in accessing information could contribute to the lower satisfaction levels, as residents may struggle to navigate available support options.
Hackney had 6.46 ombudsman complaints received per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 4.45. The number of complaints decided was also higher, at 7.98 per 100,000 compared to 4.12 nationally. This indicates a greater level of grievances among residents, which may reflect the challenges they face in the social care system.
Hackney's population density is notably high, with 13,593.3 residents per square kilometre in 2021, far exceeding the England average of 2,468.5. The borough also has a higher level of deprivation, with a mean deprivation decile of 2.74 compared to the national average of 5.9. The low standard deviation in deprivation (1.11) suggests that poverty is widespread and concentrated.
The urban environment of Hackney (0% rural areas) may strain local services due to high demand. The combination of high density and deprivation can lead to increased pressure on social care resources, potentially affecting the quality and accessibility of services.
The efficient discharge processes in Hackney are commendable, yet the low satisfaction rates point to issues beyond hospital transitions. The difficulty in finding information suggests a need for better communication strategies to help residents access services effectively. The high number of ombudsman complaints indicates that residents are experiencing problems significant enough to seek external resolution.
Given the borough's socio-economic challenges, enhancing support services and improving outreach could address some of the dissatisfaction. Tailoring services to meet the needs of a densely populated and deprived area may require additional funding and policy attention.
Hackney demonstrates strengths in specific areas like efficient discharges but faces challenges in user satisfaction and perceptions of service quality. Addressing the informational barriers and increasing support in the community could improve overall satisfaction. Considering the borough's high deprivation and density, targeted interventions are essential to enhance the quality of social care services for its residents.
✨ ✅ ❌We need to understand how much money is being spent on social care, and what this provides. First, let’s look at values reported by local authorities.
Gross Current Expenditure (2023-24) captures the total operational cost of services, indicating overall demand and financial commitment. This includes spending on residential and non-residential care, direct payments, and other social care services. Understanding gross expenditure helps assess the scale of social care provision and financial pressures on local authorities.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
This figure reflects the net cost of social care provision to the local authority, indicating the extent of financial support required to meet service demands. Understanding net expenditure helps assess the financial sustainability of social care services and the commitment level of the local authority.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Client Contributions, otherwise known as “Charging”, show the extent to which service users offset costs. Understanding client contributions helps assess the financial burden on individuals and the local authority, highlighting the need for fair and equitable funding mechanisms.
It is important to note that not all local authorities charge for social care services, and that charging can be a barrier to accessing care for some individuals.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Income from NHS reflects external funding and collaboration with the health sector. Understanding NHS contributions helps understand the level of integration between health and social care.
ASCFR/SALT Sheet T3
Budget Cuts indicate financial constraints and potential service reductions. Sometimes, budget cuts are explicit, but other times, they aren’t mentioned directly, making tracking this information difficult to access.
As such, this data is not consistently available for all local authorities.
Access Social Care have made a series of Freedom of Information requests about the government’s own assessment of sufficiency of social care funding. The social care sector is in crisis, yet the government refuses to disclose how it determines funding sufficiency. Without transparency, there is little accountability, no independent scrutiny to improve decision-making, and government trust heavily impacted. Evidence from across the sector indicates a severe funding gap, but without open data, meaningful reform remains impossible. True solutions require honesty about the scale of the problem to then work towards a fair and equitable funding model.
The government appears to know how much money is required for social care, and yet they are not making that known.
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In 2024, Hackney's gross total expenditure on social care per 100,000 people was £47,795.14. This figure is slightly higher than the England average of £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This suggests that Hackney is investing a similar amount in social care services compared to other areas in the country. The gross expenditure reflects the total spending before any income from client contributions or other sources is deducted.
The net total expenditure in Hackney was £45,494.18 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of £40,471.81. The net expenditure represents the actual cost to the local authority after deducting income from client contributions and other funding. The higher net expenditure in Hackney indicates that the council is bearing a larger share of social care costs compared to other areas.
Client contributions in Hackney amounted to £2,300.95 per 100,000 people, which is significantly lower than the England average of £7,286.35. This lower level of contributions may be due to the higher levels of deprivation in Hackney. In 2019, Hackney had a mean deprivation decile of 2.74, compared to the England mean of 5.9. A lower decile indicates higher levels of deprivation. This suggests that many residents may have limited means to contribute towards their care costs.
NHS contributions to social care in Hackney were £9,121.78 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of £7,878.45. The increased NHS funding may reflect greater health needs within the community. Higher levels of deprivation and urban density can contribute to more complex health and social care needs among residents.
Hackney's population density in 2021 was 13,593.3 usual residents per square kilometre, far exceeding the England average of 2,468.5. The high density may place additional pressure on social care services, as more people require support within a smaller area. Additionally, Hackney's population has remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, hovering around 260,000 residents, which means the demand for services is consistent.
The combination of higher net expenditure and lower client contributions suggests that Hackney faces unique challenges in funding social care. The council may need to allocate more resources to meet the needs of its residents, many of whom may not be able to afford to pay for care. The higher NHS contributions help support these services but also indicate a reliance on additional funding to address the community's needs.
The lack of available data on budget cuts makes it difficult to assess how funding levels have changed over time. However, the information suggests that the government is aware of the financial requirements for social care but may not be fully transparent about funding allocations. This can impact how local authorities plan and deliver services.
In conclusion, Hackney's social care spending reflects the area's high deprivation levels and urban environment. The council's higher net expenditure, coupled with lower client contributions, indicates a significant investment in supporting vulnerable residents. Understanding these factors is important for planning effective social care services and ensuring that resources are allocated to meet the community's needs.
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