This page provides an overview of social care in Hammersmith and Fulham, 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: Hammersmith and Fulham
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: Hammersmith and Fulham
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 Hammersmith and Fulham. 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 Hammersmith and Fulham, the proportion of disabled people is 15.5%, which is slightly lower than the national average of 17.6%. This lower percentage may reflect the area's younger population or fewer people reporting disabilities.
In 2024, there were 620 requests for care from working-age individuals in Hammersmith and Fulham. This equates to 333.02 requests per 100,000 people, which is considerably lower than the national average of 1,143.48 requests per 100,000 people. The lower rate of requests might suggest that people in this area are less likely to seek help, possibly due to barriers in accessing services or different expectations about care.
The number of people aged 18 to 64 receiving care in Hammersmith and Fulham is 1,000, resulting in a rate of 537.13 per 100,000 people. This is slightly above the national average of 532.68 per 100,000 people. This indicates that, while fewer people request care, a higher proportion receive care compared to the national average. This could imply that once people engage with services, they are more likely to receive support.
Looking at the types of care provided, the majority of care recipients are supported through community services. Specifically, 580 people receive care via a council-managed personal budget, which is 311.53 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 266.67 per 100,000 people. This suggests a strong emphasis on community-based support in Hammersmith and Fulham.
The numbers for nursing and residential care are lower. Only 15 people are in nursing care, and 100 are in residential care. These figures are below the national averages when adjusted per 100,000 people. This might indicate a preference or policy to support people within the community rather than in institutional settings.
In 2025, requests for help with various services were recorded. For example, there were 11 requests relating to charging, and 6 for care plans. When adjusted per 100,000 people, most of these requests are in line with or slightly above national averages. This suggests that residents are seeking assistance in specific areas, highlighting potential needs for information and support in these topics.
The population of Hammersmith and Fulham has remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease from 188,562 in 2019 to 186,176 in 2023. The area is highly urbanised, with a population density of 11,161.1 residents per square kilometre, significantly higher than the England average of 2,468.5. This dense urban environment may affect how services are delivered and accessed.
Hammersmith and Fulham have a mean deprivation decile of 4.82, compared to the national average of 5.9. This indicates that the area is more deprived than average. Deprivation can impact health and the need for social care services. The lower requests for care despite higher deprivation might suggest that some needs are not being met or that people are not accessing available services.
The combination of higher deprivation and lower requests for care raises important considerations for service delivery. It may be necessary to explore why fewer people are requesting care and whether there are barriers preventing them from doing so. Addressing these issues could ensure that those who need support are able to access it.
Overall, the data suggests that while Hammersmith and Fulham have a lower proportion of disabled people and fewer requests for care, they have a higher rate of working-age individuals receiving care compared to the national average. The emphasis on community-based support reflects a potential focus on enabling people to live independently. However, the disparities between requests and receipt of care highlight areas where service provision and outreach could be improved to meet the needs of the population effectively.
✨ ✅ ❌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 borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has seen changes in its older population over recent years. This analysis looks at the data related to older people in the area, comparing it with national figures where available.
Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of older people in Hammersmith and Fulham increased from 10.03% to 10.76%. This means that out of every 100 people, about 10 are aged 65 or over. In comparison, the national average is higher, with around 18% of the population being older people. The steady rise in the older population locally may lead to increased demand for services.
In 2024, there were 1,805 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Hammersmith and Fulham. This is about 970 requests per 100,000 people. Nationally, there are about 2,438 requests per 100,000 people. The lower number of requests in the borough might be due to various factors such as population structure or awareness of services. It could indicate that fewer older people are seeking help, or they might be receiving support in other ways.
Despite fewer requests, 2,220 older people in the borough received care in 2024. This amounts to about 1,192 people per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 1,003 per 100,000. This suggests that while fewer older people are asking for help, a higher proportion are receiving care compared to the rest of the country. This could mean that services in Hammersmith and Fulham are efficiently identifying and supporting those in need.
The types of care received by older people in the borough differ from national trends. Fewer people use nursing and residential care homes compared to the national average. For nursing care, about 107 people per 100,000 receive this service locally, while the national rate is about 122 per 100,000. Residential care is even lower, with 86 people per 100,000 locally versus 250 per 100,000 nationally.
On the other hand, more older people in Hammersmith and Fulham use community-based services. For example, about 859 people per 100,000 receive a managed personal budget from the council, compared to about 508 per 100,000 nationally. This shows a preference or emphasis on supporting older people to stay in their own homes rather than moving into care homes.
The borough has a high population density, with over 11,000 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of about 2,469. It is a completely urban area with no rural parts. The overall population has slightly decreased from 188,562 in 2019 to 186,176 in 2023.
Hammersmith and Fulham has higher levels of deprivation. The average deprivation score is 4.82, lower than the national average of 5.9 (a lower score indicates more deprivation). This may affect the health and wellbeing of older people, leading to a greater need for support services.
The increasing proportion of older people suggests that demand for care services may continue to grow. The high use of community-based care indicates that services are focused on helping older people live independently. Given the higher levels of deprivation, it is important to ensure that resources are available to support those in need. Service planners may need to consider these factors when allocating funds and designing programs to meet the needs of the older population.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Hammersmith and Fulham is a borough in London. It has about 186,000 people in 2023. Many people live close together, with over 11,000 residents per square kilometre. This report looks at unpaid carers in the borough and how they are doing compared to the rest of England.
In 2021, there were about 10,733 unpaid carers in Hammersmith and Fulham. This is 5,856 carers for every 100,000 people. The average in England is 8,204 carers per 100,000 people. There are fewer unpaid carers in the borough than in other parts of England. This might be because there are more young people or different family types. It could also mean that more people use formal care services instead of family members caring for them.
In 2024, only 18.9% of carers in Hammersmith and Fulham said they had as much social contact as they wanted. The average in England is 29.3%. This shows that carers in the borough may feel more alone or need more social support. Even though many people live close together, carers might not feel well connected.
Carers in Hammersmith and Fulham get different kinds of support. In 2024, about 490 carers received direct payments. This is 263 carers per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 150 per 100,000. This means the borough gives more financial help directly to carers.
Fewer carers get other kinds of help. Only about 30 carers received information and advice services, which is 16 carers per 100,000 people. The England average is 339 per 100,000. This suggests that carers in the borough might not get enough guidance or know about available services.
Also, about 180 carers got no direct support, which is 97 carers per 100,000 people. This is lower than the England average of 130 per 100,000. It shows that the borough is providing some support to most carers, but more help might be needed.
In 2024, 53.2% of carers in Hammersmith and Fulham felt it was easy to find information about services. The average in England is 59.3%. While over half of the carers find it easy, others may still struggle. Better information can help carers feel more supported and less alone.
The data shows that Hammersmith and Fulham gives more direct payments to carers than average. However, fewer carers get information and advice. Carers may feel lonely and not know about services that can help them. Improving access to information and support groups could help carers feel better connected.
The borough has a high population density, which might make it hard to reach carers. Some areas may also be more deprived, which can affect how carers access resources.
Carers in Hammersmith and Fulham face challenges. They may feel lonely and not have enough information about help available. The borough provides financial support to many carers but needs to improve in giving information and services. By increasing support and making it easier to find, carers can feel more valued and helped.
✨ ✅ ❌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
Hammersmith and Fulham have 26 community-based adult social care providers. This number is lower than the England average of 63.8 providers. For residential social care, there are 9 providers in the area, while the England average is 91 providers. This means there are fewer care providers available in Hammersmith and Fulham compared to other places.
When we consider the population size, Hammersmith and Fulham have about 14 community-based care providers per 100,000 people. The England average is around 17 providers per 100,000 people. For residential care, there are about 5 providers per 100,000 people in the area, compared to 24 providers per 100,000 people in England. This shows that, even when accounting for population, there are fewer care providers in Hammersmith and Fulham.
The proportion of care providers needing improvement or rated as inadequate in Hammersmith and Fulham is 22.9%. This is higher than the England average of 16.8%. This indicates that a higher percentage of care providers in the area are not meeting the required standards. This could affect the quality of care that residents receive.
The turnover rate of staff in Hammersmith and Fulham is 19%. This is similar to the England average of 19%. The vacancy rate is 7.9%, which is slightly lower than the England average of 8.4%. This means that there are fewer unfilled positions in care providers in the area.
Care providers in Hammersmith and Fulham find it less challenging to retain staff compared to the rest of London. About 56% of providers say it is more challenging or much more challenging to keep staff, while the London average is 68.1%. Similarly, 68% of providers find it more challenging to recruit staff, compared to 79.8% in London. This suggests that staffing issues are less severe in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Hammersmith and Fulham is a densely populated area, with 11,161 people per square kilometre. The England average is 2,468.5 people per square kilometre. The area is entirely urban, with 0% rural land, compared to the England average of 34.6% rural. The area also has a mean deprivation decile of 4.82, which is slightly lower than the England average of 5.9. This means the area is somewhat more deprived than average.
The higher proportion of care providers needing improvement may be due to the higher demand for services in a densely populated and more deprived area. The lower number of providers per person suggests that existing providers may be under pressure. However, since staffing challenges are less severe, there may be opportunities to improve the quality of care by focusing on staff development and support.
In conclusion, Hammersmith and Fulham have fewer care providers and a higher percentage of providers needing improvement compared to England averages. The area's high population density and slightly higher deprivation may increase the demand for care services. By addressing the quality issues and leveraging the relatively stable staffing situation, care services in Hammersmith and Fulham can work towards better meeting 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.
Hammersmith and Fulham is an urban borough with a high population density. In 2021, there were over 11,000 residents per square kilometre, much higher than the England average of about 2,500. The population has slightly decreased from 188,562 in 2019 to 186,176 in 2023. The area faces more deprivation than the national average, with a mean deprivation decile of 4.82 compared to 5.9 for England. This means there are more social and economic challenges in the borough.
In healthcare, 97.15% of discharges are from acceptable trusts, which is better than the national average of 89%. This suggests that most patients receive care from trusted providers. However, 15.31% of discharges are delayed, higher than the England average of 12.3%. The average delay per discharge is 1.37 days, compared to 0.7 days nationally. These delays might be due to high demand for services, staffing shortages, or issues in coordinating care after hospital stays.
When it comes to social care, only 55.4% of respondents said they were satisfied with their care and support. This is below the national average of 64.7%. Another study by NatCen shows dissatisfaction at 57%. This indicates that many residents are not happy with the social care they receive. Reasons might include limited funding, not enough staff, or high demand in this densely populated area.
Furthermore, 61.4% of people using services feel it is easy to find information about services, less than the national average of 68.2%. In a busy area like Hammersmith and Fulham, it's important for residents to easily access information about available services. The lower percentage suggests people might find it hard to navigate the system or may not know about the services they can use.
There is also information about complaints to the ombudsman. While we don't have local data for complaints per 100,000 people, the national average is 4.45 complaints per 100,000. Understanding complaint levels can help identify areas that need improvement.
Overall, the data suggests that while Hammersmith and Fulham does well in some areas, like having a high percentage of discharges from acceptable trusts, there are challenges to address. Longer delays in discharges, lower satisfaction with care and support, and difficulty in accessing information are concerns. The high population density and higher levels of deprivation may increase demand for services and put pressure on resources. To improve, local authorities might focus on making discharge processes smoother, enhancing social care services, and making information more accessible. This could involve hiring more staff, better coordination between services, and clearer communication with 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, Hammersmith and Fulham spent money on social care services. The gross total expenditure per 100,000 people was £45,745.98. This is slightly less than the national average of £47,758.16. This means the council spends a bit less on social care than other areas in England.
The net total expenditure per 100,000 people was £43,056.26. This is higher than the national average of £40,471.81. Net expenditure is the amount spent after taking away income from clients and other sources. This suggests that Hammersmith and Fulham have lower income from these sources, so they spend more of their own funds.
Client contributions per 100,000 people were £2,689.72, which is much lower than the national average of £7,286.35. This means people in Hammersmith and Fulham pay less towards their social care. One reason could be that many residents have less money. The area has a mean deprivation decile of 4.82, compared to the England mean of 5.9. A lower decile means more deprivation. This indicates that there are more people in need who cannot afford to pay for care.
NHS contributions per 100,000 people were £7,501.46, slightly below the national average of £7,878.45. This means the local NHS provides a bit less funding for social care services compared to other areas. As a result, the council may need to cover more costs themselves.
Hammersmith and Fulham is a very densely populated area. In 2021, there were 11,161.1 residents per square kilometre, while the England average was 2,468.5. This high population density can affect how social care services are delivered. Providing services in a busy urban area might cost more due to higher expenses like staff wages and facility costs.
The population of Hammersmith and Fulham has remained fairly steady over recent years. In 2019, there were 188,562 people, and in 2023, there were 186,176 people. This stable population suggests that the demand for social care services has not changed much. However, the needs of the population may still vary due to factors like aging or health issues.
The area is entirely urban, with 0% rural land, compared to the England average of 34.6% rural. This urban setting may influence the types of social care services needed, such as more community-based support rather than home visits in rural areas.
Data about budget cuts is not available. The government seems to know how much money is required for social care, but this information is not shared openly. Without this data, it is hard to know if the council has enough funds to meet the needs of its residents.
In conclusion, Hammersmith and Fulham spend a bit less on social care services than the national average. They receive less money from clients and slightly less from the NHS. This means the council uses more of its own funds to provide care. The lower client contributions may be due to higher deprivation levels, meaning many people cannot afford to pay for services. The council faces the challenge of supporting a densely populated and more deprived community with limited income from contributions.
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