Latest key statistics on adult social care include council spending in 2021-22: statistical press release

Latest key statistics on adult social care include council spending in 2021-22: statistical press release

Posted On: 07/11/2022

Local authorities spent £22.0 billion on adult social care in 2021-22, statistics published today by NHS Digital show.

The Adult Social Care Activity and Finance Report, England 2021-221 is among four publications released today which cover topics such as outcomes, activity, finance and the opinions of those receiving care. The reports relate to England and contain figures covering 2021-222.

During that period, gross current expenditure on adult social care by local authorities was £22.0 billion3, which was up £0.7 billion from the previous year. The findings of the 2021-22 report also show:

  • £16.6 billion (75.4%) of the total expenditure went on long term support, an increase of £0.9 billion compared with 2020-21.
  • There were almost 2.0 million requests for adult social care support from nearly 1.4 million new service users received by local authorities in 2021-22. This is equivalent to 5,420 requests per day in England, up by 170 requests per day on last year.
  • The number of service users receiving long term care has decreased to 818,000, continuing the downward trend in the number of service users receiving long term care since 2015-16. This is mainly driven by a decrease in those aged 65 and over, as well as the continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reported by local authorities.

Other reports published today include:

Measures from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, England 2021-22

This publication draws on a number of data collections and measures how well care and support services achieve the outcomes that matter most to people.

The findings include:

  • Fewer females (67.5%) reported feeling as safe as they would like in comparison to male service users (71.5%).
  • The proportion of carers who reported having as much social contact as they would like dropped to 28.0% in 2021-22 from 32.5% in 2018-194.
  • The North East region was rated highest for quality of life for carers, scoring 7.7 out of 12, compared with the lowest regions London, South West and East Midlands which achieved 7.1.
  • For adults in contact with secondary mental health services, the North East region has the highest proportion (44%) who are living in their own home independently or with family, while the West Midlands has the lowest proportion (15%).

Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, England 2021-22

This annual survey5, conducted by councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs), asks service users questions about quality of life, the impact of care and support services and their general health and wellbeing.

The 2021-22 survey reports6:

  • 63.9% were very or extremely satisfied with the care and support they received, down from 64.2% in 2019-20. The proportion of service users who were very or extremely dissatisfied with the care and support they received rose to 2.6% from 2.1% in 2019-20.
  • Fewer service users (40.6%) felt they have as much social contact as they want with people they like compared with 45.9% in 2019-20. The number who felt they have little social contact and feel socially isolated rose to 8.3% from 6.3% in 2019-20.
  • In relation to finding information and advice, 29.1% reported they found this easy, which was down from 31.0% in 2019-20, while 14.2% found it very difficult, which was an increase from 12.1% in 2019-20.
  • While the number of service users able to get to all the places they want in their local area remained unchanged at 29.6%, those who do not leave the home increased to 29.1% from 26.5% in 2019-20.
  • The number of service users receiving practical help on a regular basis from someone living in their household dropped to 39.6% from 42.3% in 2019-20. The number receiving regular help from someone in another household also decreased to 45.0%, from 48.3% in 2019-20.

Also published today is the Deferred Payment Agreements Report 2021-227

Key information from some of these publications will be included in the next version of Adult Social Care Statistics in England: An Overview, which brings together information collected by NHS Digital around different aspects of adult social care and covers from 2015-16 to the latest available data8.

Statistics from this publication are also accessible through the Adult Social Care Data Hub, where you can access official statistics, dashboards, metadata, data collection information, financial information and guidance documentation.

ENDS

Read the full reports

Adult Social Care Activity and Finance Report, England 2021-22

Measures from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, England 2021-22

Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, England 2021-22

Deferred Payment Agreements 2021-22