Key facts

Main findings in 2004-05

• An estimated 2 million contacts from new clients were made to CSSRs in England, a fall of 2% from 2003-04.
• There were an estimated 649 thousand new clients for whom the first assessment was completed, a decrease of 1% from a year ago.
• In respect of waiting times for new clients aged 65 and over, about 26 per cent of all new older clients had their assessment completed within 2 days of first contact and 55 per cent were assessed within 2 weeks. This is an increase on the 2003-04 figure of 49 per cent complete within 2 weeks, but is below the ministerial target of 70 per cent.
• More than two thirds (70 per cent) of all assessments for new older clients were completed within 4 weeks compared to the ministerial target of 100 per cent by December 2004.
• 1.09 million reviews for existing clients were carried out, a rise of 6% from 2003-04.
• There were an estimated 1.72 million clients receiving services during the year.
• Community-based services were provided to about 1.46 million clients during the year, accounting for 85% of all clients receiving services.
• An estimated 24,500 adults aged 18 and over received direct payments during the year, increasing from 15,100 in 2003-04, a rise of 62 per cent.
• Around 74 per cent of new older clients had received all services specified in their care plan within 2 weeks of their completed assessment. This exceeds part of the ministerial target that 70 per cent of all social services for new clients aged 65 and over, following assessment, should be provided within 2 weeks. A further 10 per cent waited up to 4 weeks for all services to be provided, giving a cumulative total of 84 per cent compared to the ministerial target of 100 per cent by December 2004.
• Of the 194,000 carers receiving a carers assessment or review during the six month period October 2004 to March 2005, an estimated 143,000 carers (74 per cent) received a service. Of these, 45 per cent received 'carer specific' services, and 55 per cent received information only.

ISBN Reference: 1-84636-039-0

Summary

The national summary provides information for 2004-05 on referrals, assessments and packages of care for adults in England, purchased or provided by Councils with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSRs).

Most of the national figures presented in this report are estimates as they have been grossed up to allow for non-response. Comparisons with 2003-04 data have been made where possible, however information on the number of people receiving services in 2004-05 is not comparable to data for previous years as some councils included people receiving services from grant funded organisations.