Key facts

• in 2005-06, gross current expenditure by Councils with Social Services Responsibilities in England on Personal Social Services was 19.3 billion, an increase of 6 per cent in cash terms (4 per cent in real terms) on the previous year and 10 per cent in real terms since 2003-04
• in 2005-06, expenditure on services for children and families accounted for 25 per cent of total gross current expenditure, whilst expenditure on services for older people accounted for 43 per cent
• in 2005-06, expenditure on both residential provision and day and domiciliary provision each accounted for 42 per cent of total gross current expenditure, whilst assessment and care management accounted for 16 per cent
• the average cost per adult aged 18 and over supported in residential care, nursing care or intensively in their own home has increased from 479 in 2004-05 to 515 in 2005-06 an increase of 6 per cent in real terms
• the expenditure on Direct Payments has increased over the last six years by over four times, and an increase of 40 per cent since 2004-05 in real terms. The percentage of gross expenditure used for direct payments equates to just over 1 per cent of the overall gross current expenditure in 2005-06
• in 2005-06 252 million in grants was provided by councils to independent sector agencies, including estimates. Grants for carers amounted to 43 million in 2005-06 provided by 112 councils, excluding estimates.

Summary

This report tells you about the money spent on social care by councils with social services responsibility. It compares money spent on different types of provision and different client groups. This information is also used by the Commission for Social Care Inspection to monitor the performance of social services across councils. It covers both childrens and adult services.

If you need more specific breakdowns of the data, have queries or would like to cite information contained within the report, please contact us at enquiries@ic.nhs.uk or 0845 300 6016.