Social care services
In the borough of Rochdale, the proportion of adult social care users who said they were satisfied with their care and support was 71.8 per cent. This is above the England average of 63.9 per cent (Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, 2021/22).
What is social care?
Social care services are a lot more than purely residential care homes. There are a variety of services available both in and out of the home (NHS, 2018). The kind of support available is dependent on the needs of the person and can include practical support to someone because of an illness or disability or additional support to carers of people in the social care system.
Examples of the types of support available include:
- Meals on wheels
- Help at home
- Home adaptions
- Alarms and home security systems
- Equipment to remain mobile and independent
- Housing options
Links between the social care and health services
There is a significant overlap between the use of social care and health care. The availability of social care can have a direct impact on the use of NHS services.
Social care services can help to reduce risks of hospitalisations by monitoring symptoms, reminding people to take medication and providing better nutrition as well as helping to prevent falls and accidents.
Care services can also play a key role in helping people to build their knowledge, skills and confidence, and to access services and support networks in their local communities such as self-management education.
Statistics on social care services
- NHS Digital – Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) - ASCOF measures how well care and support services achieve the outcomes that matter most to people. The measures are grouped into 4 domains which are typically reviewed in terms of movement over time. Data is provided at the council, regional and national levels.
Guidance and information on social care services
- Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) - SCIE improves the lives of people who use care services by sharing knowledge about what works. Their website includes resources on case studies, guidance, reports, research briefings and e-learning.
- Rochdale Stay Well website - the Rochdale Stay Well site provides advice and information about the local offer for care and support for adults including older people. It includes a service directory, support for carers, budget support and places to report safeguarding issues.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance - Adult social services - NICE has produced a number of documents on adult social care including guidance on care and support of people growing older with learning disabilities, intermediate care, experience in social care services, managing medicines and transition between settings.