This page provides an overview of social care in Harrow, 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 Harrow. 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 2024, the age-standardised proportion of people with disabilities in Harrow was 13.2%, which is lower than the national average of 17.6%. This suggests that Harrow has a smaller proportion of residents with disabilities compared to other areas in England.
In the same year, there were 1,695 requests for care from working age adults in Harrow. This equates to 643.4 requests per 100,000 people, which is below the national average of 1,143.5 per 100,000. The lower rate of requests may reflect the lower proportion of people with disabilities in the borough, or possibly differences in awareness or access to services.
A total of 1,225 adults aged 18 to 64 in Harrow were receiving care in 2024. This is 465 people per 100,000, compared to the national average of 532.7 per 100,000. The lower number of care recipients may be linked to the lower disability rates or could indicate unmet needs among residents.
The types of care received by adults in Harrow include nursing, residential, and community support. Specifically, 40 individuals received nursing care, and 165 were in residential care. Community care was provided in various forms: 265 received direct payments only, 70 had part direct payments, 430 were on council-managed personal budgets, and 255 received council-commissioned support only. The numbers for nursing and residential care per 100,000 people are slightly higher than the national averages, while community care figures vary.
The higher rates of nursing and residential care may suggest that those who need intensive support are accessing services, while others might not be receiving community-based assistance at expected rates.
Harrow's population characteristics may influence the demand for disability care. With a population density of 5,175 people per square kilometre, it is a densely populated urban area. The mean deprivation decile is 6.55, slightly above the national average of 5.9, indicating lower levels of deprivation. This could contribute to the lower proportion of disabilities and reduced demand for care services.
The low percentage of rural areas (less than 1%) means that residents have better access to services compared to more rural regions. However, the lower rates of care requests and recipients might suggest barriers in service uptake, such as cultural factors or awareness levels.
Given the lower rates of disability and care requests, Harrow may consider reviewing its outreach and support services to ensure that all residents who need assistance are identified and supported. The council could explore whether there are unmet needs or if residents are accessing alternative forms of support.
Supporting community-based care and increasing awareness of available services may help address any gaps. Allocating resources effectively can ensure that those who require intensive care continue to receive appropriate support.
Understanding the reasons behind the lower care figures is important for planning and delivering services that meet the needs of Harrow'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
The proportion of older people in Harrow has been rising over the past five years. In 2019, 14.9% of the population were older people, increasing to 15.8% in 2023. This is lower than the national average, which was 18.4% in 2019 and slightly decreased to 18.5% in 2023. This suggests that Harrow has a smaller proportion of older residents compared to the country as a whole, but the number is growing.
In 2024, there were 4,835 requests for care from people aged 65 and over in Harrow. This is 1,835 requests per 100,000 people. The national average is higher, at 2,437 requests per 100,000 people. This means that fewer older people in Harrow are requesting care compared to other areas. This could be because there are fewer older people, or perhaps older people in Harrow need less care.
Also in 2024, 2,505 older people were receiving care in Harrow. This is 950 people per 100,000, slightly below the national average of 1,003 people per 100,000. This shows that the number of older people receiving care in Harrow is similar to other areas, but a bit lower. It is important to check if older people in Harrow are getting the care they need.
Looking at the types of care, in 2024, 300 older people received nursing care, and 315 received residential care. The numbers per 100,000 people are close to national averages for nursing care but lower for residential care. Harrow has higher numbers in some types of community care. For example, 1,165 older people received a council-managed personal budget, which is 442 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 508 per 100,000. This suggests that in Harrow, older people might prefer community-based care.
Harrow is a densely populated area, with 5,175 residents per square kilometre, much higher than the national average of 2,469 residents per square kilometre. Harrow is also less deprived than many areas, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.55 compared to the national average of 5.9. Only 0.09% of Harrow is rural, while the national average is 34.6%. This urban setting might affect how older people access services.
The lower number of care requests and recipients per 100,000 in Harrow could be due to various factors. It may be that older people in Harrow are healthier or have better support from family. Alternatively, there could be barriers to accessing care services, such as lack of awareness or cultural factors.
As the proportion of older people in Harrow is increasing, it is important to ensure that services meet their needs. The council may need to plan for higher demand in the coming years. Providing information about available services and making them accessible can help older people receive the care they require.
In conclusion, while Harrow currently has fewer older people than the national average, the number is growing. Service providers should monitor this trend and ensure that care services are prepared to support an increasing 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
In Harrow, there were 7,671 unpaid carers per 100,000 people in 2021. This number is slightly lower than the national average of 8,204 unpaid carers per 100,000 people. Unpaid carers provide essential support to family members or friends who need help due to illness, disability, or age.
In 2024, 31.4% of carers in Harrow reported that they had as much social contact as they would like. This is a bit higher than the national average of 29.3%. Social contact is important for carers' wellbeing, helping them feel connected and supported.
Half of the carers in Harrow (50.8%) felt it was easy to find information about services in 2024. This is lower than the national average of 59.3%. When carers find it hard to access information, they may miss out on support that could help them in their role.
Different types of support were offered to carers in Harrow in 2024. Direct payments were given to 62.6 carers per 100,000 people, which is less than the national average of 149.9 per 100,000. Information and advice services reached 172.7 carers per 100,000 people in Harrow, compared to 338.7 per 100,000 nationally. This suggests that carers in Harrow may receive less support than carers in other areas.
Harrow had a population of 261,159 in 2021. This is smaller than the national average population. The area is quite dense, with 5,175 people per square kilometre, compared to 2,468 people per square kilometre on average in England. Harrow's mean deprivation decile is 6.55, which is higher than the national average of 5.9. This means Harrow is less deprived than many other areas.
The lower number of unpaid carers in Harrow might be linked to its population size and density. Fewer carers receiving support could indicate unmet needs. Improving access to information and increasing support services might help carers in Harrow feel more supported. Policymakers may consider allocating more resources to carers' services in the area.
✨ ✅ ❌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
In Harrow, there are 69 community-based adult social care services and 51 residential social care providers in 2024. The number of community services is slightly higher than the national average of 63.8. However, the number of residential care providers is lower than the national average of 91. This shows that Harrow focuses more on community care rather than residential care. People in Harrow may prefer to receive support at home or in the community.
The population of Harrow is about 263,448 in 2023. The number of people living in each square kilometre is 5,175.4, which is much higher than the national average of 2,468.5. This means Harrow is a very densely populated area. Because of this, community-based services can reach more people easily. The high population density may influence the type of care services that are needed.
The quality of care providers in Harrow is also good. Only 8.26% of care providers need improvement or are inadequate, compared to the national average of 16.8%. This suggests that most care providers in Harrow meet the required standards. This could be because Harrow has a higher mean deprivation decile of 6.55, while the national average is 5.9. A higher decile means less deprivation. Areas with less deprivation may have better resources and support for care providers.
Staffing can be difficult in the care sector. In Harrow, the turnover rate is 19.04%, which is similar to the London average of 19%. The vacancy rate is 7.5%, lower than the average of 8.4%. This means there are fewer unfilled jobs in Harrow. Providers in Harrow also find it less challenging to retain and recruit staff compared to other areas. About 56.04% find it more challenging to retain staff, while the London average is 68.1%. For recruitment, 67.98% find it more challenging, compared to 79.8% in London. Although challenges remain, Harrow is doing better than other areas.
The low rural population in Harrow, only 0.0856%, compared to the national average of 34.6%, indicates that Harrow is almost entirely urban. Urban areas may have more access to resources and potential staff, which can help care providers operate effectively.
In conclusion, Harrow has a good number of care providers, especially community-based services. The quality of care is higher than average, and staffing challenges are less severe than in other regions. The high population density and lower levels of deprivation may contribute to these positive outcomes. It is important to continue supporting care providers to maintain high standards and address any staffing issues that arise.
✨ ✅ ❌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.
Harrow needs to improve its social care services. In the 2024/25 assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Harrow scored 59. The average score in England is 64.7. Harrow's status is "Requires Improvement". This means Harrow's services are below what is expected.
In November 2024, Harrow had fewer discharges from acceptable trusts than average. Harrow had about 26 discharges, but the average in England is 89. This might mean that fewer people are leaving hospital care in Harrow. However, the percentage of delayed discharges in Harrow was 8.5%, which is better than the national average of 12.3%. This shows that Harrow is good at getting people discharged without delays.
The average delay in Harrow was 0.35 days in November 2024. The national average is 0.7 days. This means people in Harrow wait less time when there is a delay. This could be because services in Harrow are efficient in handling discharges.
In 2024, only 55.6% of people in Harrow said they were satisfied with their care and support. The average in England is 64.7%. This means fewer people in Harrow are happy with the care they get. Another source, NatCen, says that 57% of people in Harrow are dissatisfied with social care. This shows that many people in Harrow are not pleased with the services.
Also in 2024, 61.2% of people using services in Harrow felt it was easy to find information about services. The national average is 68.2%. This suggests that people in Harrow may have trouble finding information about social care services. This can make it harder for them to get the help they need.
Harrow had more complaints to the ombudsman than average in 2024. There were about 10.6 complaints received per 100,000 people, while the national average is 4.45. Complaints decided were about 9.87 per 100,000 in Harrow, compared to 4.12 nationally. This shows that more people in Harrow are complaining about services, which may show problems with service quality.
Harrow has about 263,448 people in 2023. It is smaller than the average area in England but very densely populated. There are 5,175 people per square kilometre in Harrow, compared to 2,468 on average. Harrow is less deprived than average, with a mean deprivation decile of 6.55. The area is mostly urban, with almost no rural areas.
The high population density in Harrow may put pressure on social care services. This could lead to lower satisfaction and more complaints. Even though Harrow is less deprived on average, there may still be areas where people need more support. Services may need to adapt to meet the needs of a dense and diverse population.
In conclusion, Harrow should work to improve its social care services. This includes making it easier for people to find information and addressing the reasons why people are not satisfied. More resources may be needed to handle the high demand in a densely populated area. By focusing on these areas, Harrow can improve the quality of care 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, Harrow spent £41,762.43 per 100,000 people on social care. This is less than the England average of £47,758.16 per 100,000 people. This means Harrow spends less on social care compared to other areas in England.
The net spending in Harrow is £35,932.49 per 100,000 people. The England average is £40,471.81 per 100,000 people. Net spending is the amount after taking away income from clients and other sources. Harrow's net spending is also lower than the national average.
Clients in Harrow contribute £5,829.95 per 100,000 people towards their care. The average in England is £7,286.35 per 100,000 people. This shows that people in Harrow pay less for their care than in other parts of England.
The NHS gives £6,096.14 per 100,000 people to support social care in Harrow. The England average is £7,878.45 per 100,000 people. Harrow gets less NHS funding for social care compared to other areas.
In 2023, Harrow had a population of 263,448 people. The average population in England was 377,060.9 people. Harrow is a densely populated area with 5,175.4 residents per square kilometre, while the England average is 2,468.5 residents per square kilometre. This high density might affect the need for social care services.
Harrow scores 6.55 on the deprivation decile, which is higher than the England average of 5.9. A higher score means less deprivation. This suggests that Harrow is less deprived than many other areas. The variation in deprivation across Harrow is smaller than the national average.
Only 0.0856% of Harrow is rural, compared to 34.6% for England. Harrow is mostly urban, which might influence the types of social care services required.
The lower spending on social care in Harrow could be due to several reasons. Since Harrow is less deprived and more urban, there might be less demand for certain services. However, the high number of people living close together could increase the need for other services, especially for older people.
Clients in Harrow contribute less towards their care. This might be because of income levels or the costs of services. Harrow also gets less funding from the NHS for social care, which could affect the services available.
There is no data about budget cuts, so it's hard to know if spending has changed recently. There is a concern that the government knows how much money is needed for social care but is not sharing this information.
In summary, Harrow spends less on social care than the national average. This might affect the quality or availability of services. It may be important for leaders to look at funding levels to make sure that people in Harrow get the care they need.
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