The Local Account highlights how adult social care services performed in 2014 to 2015. It details successes, challenges and priorities for the coming year.
It shows that the City of Wolverhampton Council spent £73.3 million - nearly a third of its net budget - on social care services for adults in 2014 to 2015.
They include help and support for older residents and people with disabilities or mental health needs, as well as housing support services and the provision of equipment and adaptations to enable people to remain in their own homes for longer.
The Local Account shows that in 2014 to 2015, just over 5,500 individuals received adult social care or carer support services and that:
- a further 1,435 individuals, organisations, schools and businesses registered as Dementia Friends in support of the drive for Wolverhampton to be named a Dementia Friendly City
- Telecare assistive technology is now being used by more than 950 people to enable them to live more independently in their own homes
- increased use of supported living placements have promoted independent living skills and helped people move from residential care and enjoy greater independence
- dedicated Dementia Support Workers have been located within each of the 6 Dementia Cafés across Wolverhampton, to provide one to one support to people living with dementia in their own home
- a new one stop advocacy service is providing free professional advocacy services for adults across the city, including carers, older people, people with disabilities and people with drug and alcohol addiction, meaning they are able to access independent support to help them make informed choices and decisions
- the new Wolverhampton Information Network Type=links;Linkid=5929;Title=website;Target=_blank; - providing information of community support and services has had nearly 110,000 visits in 6 months.
Councillor Elias Mattu, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "We are committed to ensuring our services are more personalised, preventative and focused on delivering the best results for those who use them.
"I am pleased at the improvements we are continuing to make to social care services in Wolverhampton highlighted in the Local Account, particularly the increased number of organisations and individuals who are becoming Dementia Friends to help and support to our growing elderly population.
"2014 to 2015 remained a tough year, with the council having to continue making some very difficult decisions because of the unprecedented financial challenge we face.
"Whilst it's been a very challenging year for adult social care, it has also provided an opportunity to assess and evaluate our policy, procedures and practices ensuring services are designed to firmly place the service user at the centre of all decisions concerning their wellbeing, which enable them to stay healthy and remain independent for longer."
To read the Local Account , please visit Type=links;Linkid=6707;Title=Adult Social Care Local Account 2014 to 2015;Target=_blank;.
- released: Wednesday 25 November, 2015