All local authorities conduct a wide range of benchmarking activities to better understand comparative performance and value across key services. We use this information:

• To inform budget setting
• To prioritise and drive improvements
• To ensure members have the opportunity to compare performance with other similar local authorities and regional neighbouring authorities

In 2022-23 we received 37,087 new requests for support compared to the previous years 42,054.

The Adult Social Care numbers for Essex:

• 39.8% (14,756) of the new contacts went on to receive some form of support from the council, and 158 were resolved with advice or directed support in the community.
• 9,377 people used reablement services to help them regain their independence, and 69.5% of adults following reablement no longer required services.
• 3,428 people went on to receive a long-term service. Out of these, 2,680 received community care (3,344 in 2021-22) and 748 went on to nursing or residential care (774 in 2021-22).
• 1,944* people went on to receive other forms of short term, or ongoing low-level support.

*There is a large decrease in ongoing low-level support in community 65+ (4,068 in 2021-22), we are unsure what happened here and are waiting for the 2023-24 figures to see if this trend continues, it could be a change in recording method.

In 2022-23 this is how we supported Essex people:

• 20,249 adults with long-term support needs during the year, a slight increase compared to the previous year (19,494).
• 69.2% of all adults with an ongoing service were supported in their own home, this is a slight increase from previous the year (69%).
• 37.6% (13,637) of older adults (65+) receive residential or nursing care.
• 14.8% (2,995) of all adults decided to take their Personal Budget as a Direct Payment, this is a slight decrease from the previous year (15.6%).
• 25.8% (6,612) of working age adults have a full direct payment, and only 4.4% (13,637) of older adults (65+) have a full direct payment.