Public spending on adult social care and delayed transfers of care in England

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-167
Author(s):  
Jose Iparraguirre

Purpose This paper aims to whether current public expenditure on adult social care services might be associated with the number of delayed days of care attributable to the social care system in England. Design/methodology/approach Panel econometric models on data from local authorities with adult social care responsibilities in England between 2013–2014 and 2018–2019. Findings After controlling for other organisational sources of inefficiency, the level of demand in the area and the income poverty amongst the resident older population, this paper finds that a 4.5% reduction in current spending per head on adult social care per older person in one year is associated with an increase by 0.01 delayed days per head the following year. Social implications Given the costs of adverse outcomes of delayed transfers of care reported in the literature, this paper suggests that budgetary constraints to adult social care services would represent a false economy of public funds. Originality/value This is the first paper that models the association between public spending on adult social care and delayed transfers of care due to issues originating in the social care system in England.

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 832-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Meyer

Cities across England will see a growing number of informal carers as the population ages, many of whom do not begin this role equipped with the knowledge they need to access social care services and supports. One of the more significant changes brought by passage of the Care Act of 2014 is local governments’ increased responsibility to improve the provision of information and advice on social care to informal carers, long recognized as a policy priority. To better understand where improvements can be made on a local level in order to achieve the goals laid out in the Care Act, this study considers carers’ experiences accessing information and advice on social care services and supports in a city with a population of over 250,000 in the south of England. This was done through the collection of semi-structure qualitative interviews with 11 carers to people aged 65 and older from April 2015 to July 2015. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed a tension between carers’ varying levels of knowledge and experience with the social care system and information services’ one-size-fits-all approach to providing information. Findings suggest local governments should focus on creating information services that more actively reach out to carers, provide greater guidance to those carers who need it, and work to flexibly meet informal carers information needs, acknowledging that some carers will be less familiar than others with aspects of the social care system.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Jo Moriarty

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on long-standing, structural race inequality in Britain. This paper aims to review historic patterns of ethnic diversity among the workforce employed in services for older people to present some of the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A historical overview was undertaken of research about ethnic diversity in the social care workforce. Findings Too often, the ethnic diversity of the social care workforce has been taken as evidence that structural racial inequalities do not exist. Early evidence about the impact of coronavirus on workers from black and minority ethnic groups has led to initiatives aimed at reducing risk among social care employers in the independent sector and in local government. This offers a blueprint for further initiatives aimed at reducing ethnic inequalities and promoting ethnic diversity among the workforce supporting older people. Research limitations/implications The increasing ethnic diversity of the older population and the UK labour force highlights the importance of efforts to address what is effective in reducing ethnic inequalities and what works in improving ethnic diversity within the social care workforce and among those using social care services for older people. Originality/value The ethnic makeup of the workforce reflects a complex reality based on multiple factors, including historical patterns of migration and gender and ethnic inequalities in the UK labour market.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Onggo

Changes in demographic and regulations in social care in England are expected to alter the social care landscape and increase pressure on people working in the adult social care sector, especially those who deliver direct care services. While significant work has been done to understand the demand side of the adult social care system, work on the supply side is considerably limited and analysis has been dominated by methods such as macro- and micro-simulation. This paper demonstrates that system dynamics modelling can be used to understand the dynamics of the social care workforce who deliver direct care services in the formal sector, specifically, to identify the main feedback loops that govern the dynamics of the system, to identify sensitive and influential factors, and to show non-linearity in the system. Therefore, system dynamics should play a more important role in the analysis of adult social care system.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Elison ◽  
Jonathan Ward ◽  
Glyn Davies ◽  
Mark Moody

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the adoption and implementation of computer-assisted therapy (CAT) using Breaking Free Online (BFO) in a social care and health charity working with people affected by drugs and alcohol dependence, Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI). Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with service managers, practitioners, peer mentors and service users. Data were thematically analysed and themes conceptualised using Roger's Diffusion of Innovation Theory (Rogers, 1995, 2002, 2004). Findings – A number of perceived barriers to adoption of BFO throughout CRI were identified within the social system, including a lack of IT resources and skills. However, there were numerous perceived benefits of adoption of BFO throughout CRI, including broadening access to effective interventions to support recovery from substance dependence, and promoting digital inclusion. Along with the solutions that were found to the identified barriers to implementation, intentions around longer-term continuation of adoption of the programme were reported, with this process being supported through changes to both the social system and the individuals within it. Research limitations/implications – The introduction of innovations such as BFO within large organisations like CRI can be perceived as being disruptive, even when individuals within the organisation recognise its benefits. For successful adoption and implementation of such innovations, changes in the social system are required, at organisational and individual levels. Practical implications – The learning points from this study may be relevant to the substance misuse sector, and more widely to criminal justice, health and social care organisations. Originality/value – This study is the first of its kind to use a qualitative approach to examine processes of implementation of CAT for substance misuse within a large treatment and recovery organisation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 108-122
Author(s):  
Patricia Dearnaley ◽  
Joanne E. Smith

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to stimulate a wider debate around the coordination of workforce planning in non-statutory services (in this case, specialist housing for older people or those with long-term health and social care needs, such as learning disabilities). The authors argue that current NHS reforms do not go far enough in that they fail to include specialist housing and its workforce in integration, and by doing so, will be unable to optimise the potential efficiencies and streamlining of service delivery to this group. Design/methodology/approach The paper used exploratory study using existing research and data, enhanced by documentary analysis from industry bodies, regulators and policy think tanks. Findings That to achieve the greatest operational and fiscal impact upon the health care services, priority must be given to improving the efficiency and coordination of services to older people and those requiring nursing homes or registered care across the public and third sectors through the integration of service delivery and workforce planning. Research limitations/implications Whilst generalisable and achievable, the model proposed within the paper cannot be fully tested theoretically and requires further testing the in real health and social care market to evidence its practicality, improved quality of care and financial benefits. Originality/value The paper highlights some potential limitations to the current NHS reforms: by integrating non-statutory services, planned efficiency savings may be optimised and service delivery improved.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall Smith ◽  
Robin Darton ◽  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Eleanor K. Johnson ◽  
Liz Lloyd ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the process of commissioning adult social care services in England. It reflects the literature on commissioning at the strategic level followed by a section on operational or micro-commissioning. The rest of the paper focusses on the emergence of ideas about outcomes-based commissioning (OBC) in the field of adult social care and ends with critical consideration of the effectiveness of OBC in adult social care as applied to support and care provided in extra care housing. Design/methodology/approach The review of strategic and operational commissioning in adult social care in England (and Scotland in brief) is based on both policy documents and a review of the literature, as are the sources addressing OBC in adult social care particularly in extra care housing settings. Findings The core of this paper focusses on the challenges to the implementation of OBC in adult social care in the context of provision for residents in extra care housing. Of central importance are the impact of the squeeze on funding, increasing costs as a result of demographic change and the introduction of a national living wage plus the focus on the needs of service users through the idea of person-centred care and resistance to change on the part of adult social care staff and workers in other relevant settings. Originality/value Addressing the implementation of OBC in adult social care in England in the context of extra care housing.


Author(s):  
Cheng-Chang Liu ◽  
Chang-Franw Lee ◽  
Tung Chang ◽  
Jing-Jing Liao

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between caregivers’ stress loads and dementia patient behavior, including the correlation of “patient behavior” (severity and frequency), “social care system”, and “stress levels of caregivers”. The research method was based on the analysis of survey data collected at a dementia specialist outpatient clinic of a medical center in southern Taiwan from November 2013 to May 2015. Those surveyed by the center included patients who visited the hospital, and their caregivers completed a questionnaire survey. During the study period, a total of 558 questionnaires for 279 pairs were distributed, and all questionnaires were recovered. According to the survey statistics, the average age of the caregivers interviewed was 53.1 years; women accounted for 61.3% of respondents, and the duration of care exceeded three years. In terms of education, most respondents were college/university graduates. The most common surveyed relationship was that of children acting as the caregiver to a parent, and the average age of the patients was 77.73 years. Most caregivers were found to live with the patients (75.3%). In terms of severity and frequency, the surveyed items with the highest average scores were both the “delusion” item of the “patient behavior” facet, the “mental support”(mean = 1.97; standard deviation, SD = 0.869) item of the “social care system” facet, and the “social life stress” (mean = 2.26, SD = 1.510) item of the “Stress levels of caregivers” facet. The research results show that the “patient behavior” and “Stress levels of caregivers” facets have a significant positive correlation, and the “social care system” and “Stress levels of caregivers” facets have a significant negative correlation. In the future, priority of service planning and implementation of long–term policy should be given to home care, since this is a cultural characteristic of Taiwan. In circumstances where a primary caregiver takes care of family members, the patient’s behavior, length of care, mental support, and social life issues are key items that should be considered in the social welfare control service to alleviate the load of dementia patients on family caregivers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Memarzia ◽  
Michelle C St Clair ◽  
Matt Owens ◽  
Ian M Goodyer ◽  
Valerie J Dunn

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 208-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Abendstern ◽  
Christian Brand ◽  
Val Harrington ◽  
Rowan Jasper ◽  
Sue Tucker ◽  
...  

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify features of community mental health teams (CMHTs) for older people valued by their managers, and those they would most like to change. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis was used to analyse “free text” responses to open questions from a national survey about CMHTs’ organisational structures and processes. Responses were sorted into statements which were categorised into content areas and higher level dimensions. Findings – Free text information was provided by 376 teams (an 88 per cent response rate). Eight higher level dimensions were identified. One related specifically to integration with social care services, whilst several more included material about other aspects of intra-team integration (e.g. documentation and location). The largest proportion of statements related to staffing and teamwork. Statements about inter-personal and inter-professional issues were largely positive, whilst statements about resources, bureaucracy and integration with social care services typically detailed desired changes. Practical implications – Four key issues emerged comprising a high level of support from managers to develop integrated practices; a need to define the focus of CMHTs for older people and to be fully resourced; and the importance of a nurturing and supportive team environment. Originality/value – The methodology provides a bridge between qualitative and quantitative research, exploring the volume of statements on particular topics and their meaning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13
Author(s):  
Irena Dychawy Rosner

A major challenge in contemporary welfare societies is the delivery of services affirming people’s expectations for their life standard, health and social care services. For decades, there has been a search to understand new ways of conceptualising social pedagogy as a field of practice, as a theory, and as a programme design and implementation. Despite the growing body of literature on social pedagogy, to date, little has been written on the subject of the unique complexities of social pedagogy knowledge expertise when bridging the supporting relationships between an individual and the social dimensions in his/her world. Based on research conducted in Northern Europe, particularly focusing on Denmark and Sweden, the aim of this special issue of International Journal of Papers of Social Pedagogy (PSP) on Contemporary Issues in Social Pedagogy in Northern Europe is to convey the central importance of social pedagogy for the study of vitality and diversity behind social pedagogy thought. The presented research projects in this special issue are, in their foundation, associated with a constructivist approach that views the body of knowledge development as an active and cooperative process of knowledge construction and its application in social pedagogy discipline. This article intends to provide a general perspective concerning the presence of various knowledge forms according to the search for, and implementation of, thinking and acting in a social pedagogy inspired way, and working under various conditions.


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